By Marisa Pullan One of the biggest questions that people ask are what are the Texas state requirements to homeschool. Let's see if we can parse down the information to cover the core basics so you know what you're facing as you make the choice to homeschool in Texas.
In order to homeschool legally in the state of Texas, you have to follow these three requirements: 1. Instruction must be bona-fide (not a sham) 2. Curriculum must be in visual form (books, workbooks, videos, etc) 3. Curriculum must include FIVE basic subjects: reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics, and good citizenship. That's pretty much it. Let's expand on what all of these mean a little bit more to help you wrap your head around what it all translates to you. Bona-fide Instruction Really, what this means is that you have to have some way to prove that you're homeschooling if it ever comes into question. Chances are that it won't because Texas is generally hands-off when it comes to homeschooling, but it's good to understand this if it ever happens. This can be as simple as a letter from you saying that you are homeschooling the required subject matter or a list of curriculum that you're using. Visual Curriculum You may consider keeping track of curriculum choices that you make along the way. Visual curriculum does not mean that it has to be something that is ONLY visual because quite simply, that would be very limiting. Instead, it makes more sense that "visual curriculum" simply means that it has to be something tangible that can be seen and handled. Even if you are an unschooler with kids choosing to do nature exploration, as an example, if you can provide images and examples of what your children have learned, then it would count as visual curriculum because it is tangible. The Five Basic Subjects Reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics, and good citizenship are the core homeschooling requirements in Texas. Reading is relatively self-explanatory - just make sure your child reads. This could be reading books, reading subtitles, reading pamphlets, etc. If your child has a reading disability like dyslexia, then make sure that you are addressing the disability and you should be covered. Spelling works the same way, as do grammar and mathematics. Good citizenship is sometimes a little harder to pin down. Think about this like social studies at an elementary level or government and ethics in a middle school or high school environment. Much of this comes naturally, too, as you teach your child how to interact appropriately with the community and how the community works together. Visits to the fire station or police department can help with this concept. If you're close to the state capitol, that's another great visit to help fulfill the "good citizenship" requirement. If you want more information, please feel free to click here to get a more in-depth explanation of the Texas state requirements for homeschooling. Next time, we'll talk more about withdrawing your child from the public school system, example withdrawal letters, and more. Please stay tuned! DISCLAIMER:This information is NOT to be considered legal advice. If you have questions about legality, please contact a lawyer that is well-versed in the necessary information. You may contact the Texas Home School Coalition (THSC) for more information. THSC is a political group which lobbies on behalf of homeschoolers; however, not all homeschoolers agree with THSC, and THSC does not represent all homeschoolers.
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By Marisa Pullan So what does a day in the life of a homeschooler look like? That's actually a pretty loaded question because the answer is entirely relative to the homeschooler you're talking about. A better question might be "what opportunities are available for my homeschooler so I can build out our days?" Your child might be an athletic child and would thrive in sports. With that, you can check out homeschool organizations like the Austin Royals or the Wilco Falcons if you happen to live in or around Austin. The Royals and Falcons both also have quite the fan following! If your child tends to flow more towards the arts, then you could check out homeschool-friendly classes at places like Cordovan Art School or the Art Academy of Austin, just as a couple of options. There are also musical organizations such as the Christian Youth Band of Austin and CAPA Austin for choir. Let's say science makes your kid's world go round. If that's the case, there are a few science-oriented opportunities in the area to include Howdy Bots, AAH-Science, NASA, and the Austin Homeschool Science League. These teams are great if your child loves the sciences. Eclectic options might be more your style, so look at the assortment of co-ops, one-off classes, and other fun learning opportunities that are out there. There are SO many depending on what you're looking for with your child. Your day may very well include a random co-op and an art class among other things! To answer your question of what does a day in the life of a homeschooler look like, it depends on what your child enjoys and what you want for your child as well. If you happen to be a more academic-focused homeschooler, then your days will reflect that. If you desire to be more relaxed about homeschooling, then your days will probably involve lots of freedom for your children. Once you add in the extras, that's what YOUR day will look like. There's a good chance that no one else's day will look like it, and that's okay. Click here for a list of available opportunities in the greater Austin area. This list will change periodically, so please check back often. Also, if you have any other opportunities that you would like to have listed or included, please leave a comment so we can be sure to add you to the list. |
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January 2021
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