How to Homeschool in Texas —
Requirements, TEFA & Getting Started
The complete guide to Texas homeschool requirements, TEFA scholarship funding, statewide associations, government agencies, regional co-ops, and step-by-step startup instructions — updated for 2025–26.
Texas Homeschool Requirements
Texas has some of the simplest homeschool requirements in the country. There is no registration, no annual testing, no portfolio submission, and no evaluation required. Here is exactly what Texas law requires — and what it does not.
| Requirement | Required? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Register with the state | ✗ No | No registration required — unless your child is leaving a public school |
| Notify school district | ✗ Only if leaving public school | Send a withdrawal letter if your child is currently in public school. If they've never attended, no notification is needed |
| Bona fide instruction | ✓ Yes | Instruction must be genuine — conducted in good faith, not as a sham. Source: Leeper v. Arlington ISD (1994), Tex. Educ. Code §25.086(a)(1) |
| Visual curriculum | ✓ Yes | Curriculum must be in visual form — books, workbooks, written materials, or electronic materials on a screen |
| Five required subjects | ✓ Yes | Reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics, and good citizenship (similar to civics) |
| Standardized testing | ✗ No | No testing required unless you participate in TEFA (annual norm-referenced test required grades 3–12 for TEFA families) |
| Portfolio or records | ✗ No | No portfolio or records required by law. Strongly recommended for personal use and college applications |
| Annual evaluation | ✗ No | No annual evaluation of any kind required |
| Parent qualifications | ✗ No | No teaching certificate or educational credential required of parents |
| Minimum school days | ✗ No | No minimum number of instructional days or hours required |
How to Start Homeschooling in Texas
Starting a homeschool in Texas is straightforward. Here are the key steps — and what you don't need to do.
Withdraw from public school (if applicable)
If your child is currently enrolled in a Texas public school, send a simple written withdrawal letter to the school district stating your intent to homeschool. Keep a copy. This stops unexcused absences from accumulating. If your child has never attended a Texas public school, no action is required — there is no state registry to notify.
Choose a visual curriculum covering the five subjects
Select any curriculum in visual form — books, workbooks, online materials, or a combination — that covers reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics, and good citizenship. Texas does not require curriculum approval. Any commercially published curriculum naturally satisfies the visual form requirement.
Keep records (recommended, not required)
Texas law requires no record-keeping. However, maintaining records is strongly recommended — especially for high school students. Keep a course list, grades, and work samples from day one. These become essential for college transcripts and applications. THSC members have access to transcript and diploma templates.
Decide about TEFA (optional)
Texas's TEFA program provides $2,000/year for homeschool families for approved educational expenses. It is entirely optional. Participating adds requirements — annual standardized testing for grades 3–12 and financial auditing — that do not otherwise apply to Texas homeschoolers. See the TEFA section below to weigh the tradeoffs.
Connect with local co-ops and support groups
Texas has hundreds of co-ops and support groups across all 254 counties. The THSC group directory is the most comprehensive starting point — searchable by city and zip code.
Plan for high school and graduation
Parents act as school administrators and issue their own diplomas. Texas public colleges and universities must treat homeschool graduates by the same admissions standards as public school graduates. Most families use the TEA's 26-credit Foundation High School Program as a guide. HB 3041 (2025) also improved financial aid access and dual credit eligibility for homeschool students.
New Parent Checklist
Before you begin — cover these essentials.
Texas Homeschool Associations
Texas has two major statewide homeschool associations plus national organizations with strong Texas presence — all providing legal guidance, conventions, resources, and advocacy.
Texas Home School Coalition (THSC)
The largest Texas homeschool organization, founded in 1986. Provides legal advocacy, legislative monitoring, a comprehensive support group directory, two annual statewide conventions (Arlington and The Woodlands), transcript and diploma templates for members, and a legal helpline. THSC led the advocacy effort that secured HB 2674, HB 3041, and SB 401 in the 2025 legislative session.
Texas Home Educators (THE)
Texas's second major statewide homeschool association, offering legal assistance, convention access, transcript and diploma resources, and community support for Texas homeschool families of all backgrounds and approaches.
Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) — Texas
National organization with extensive Texas-specific legal resources, withdrawal letter templates, and attorney representation for member families. Monitors Texas legislation and provides guidance on homeschool law.
Classical Conversations — Texas
A classical education co-op model with communities across Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and many smaller Texas cities. Weekly co-op days with parent-taught classical content for K–12.
State & Government Agencies
The Texas government bodies relevant to homeschooling — including the TEFA program, college admissions, and the legal framework.
Texas Comptroller — TEFA Program
The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts administers the TEFA program. Official application portal, approved expense guidelines, and account management through the Odyssey platform.
educationfreedom.texas.govTexas Education Agency (TEA)
TEA does not regulate homeschools and is prohibited from doing so under HB 2674. It sets graduation requirements many homeschool families use as a guide and maintains IEP records relevant to TEFA disability funding at private schools.
Texas Education AgencyTexas Education Code §25.086
The statutory basis for homeschooling in Texas. §25.086(a)(1) exempts homeschooled students from compulsory attendance by classifying them as private school students. Read alongside Leeper v. Arlington ISD (1994) for full legal context.
TX Education Code §25.086HB 2674 — Homeschool Freedom Act (2025)
Signed June 20, 2025, effective September 1, 2025. Prohibits the TEA, SBOE, and other public educational institutions from creating any new rules that increase regulation of homeschool programs.
THSC Legislative UpdateHB 3041 — Financial Aid & Dual Credit (2025)
Signed June 20, 2025. Improves financial aid access and dual credit eligibility for Texas homeschool students. Adjusts how homeschool graduates qualify for automatic admission and financial aid at Texas public colleges.
THSC Legislative UpdateSB 401 — UIL Equal Access (2025)
Signed June 21, 2025. Requires all Texas school districts to allow eligible homeschool students to participate in UIL extracurricular activities — athletics, fine arts, and academic competitions — at their local district or the next closest.
THSC Legislative UpdateTexas TEFA Homeschool Funding
Texas launched the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program in 2025 under Senate Bill 2. Here's what homeschool families need to know — including the important differences between homeschool and private school funding amounts.
TEFA — Homeschool Families
An annual education savings account for approved educational expenses. All purchases go through the state-administered Odyssey platform — families cannot receive cash. Funds roll over year to year while enrolled.
- Open to all Texas K–12 residents regardless of income
- No previous public school enrollment required
- Approved expenses: curriculum, tutoring, online programs, textbooks, instructional materials, computer hardware/software (capped at 10% of annual amount), transportation to approved providers
- Funds cannot be used to pay a family member for services
- Annual norm-referenced standardized test required — grades 3–12
- Annual financial audit by the Texas Comptroller
- Not first-come, first-served — lottery within priority tiers
- Participation adds testing and reporting requirements not otherwise required for TX homeschoolers
TEFA — Private School Students
For students attending an approved accredited private school. Set at 85% of the statewide average state and local funding per student as calculated by TEA. School must be accredited and in continuous operation for 2+ years.
- Must attend a TEA or TEPSAC-accredited private school
- School must administer annual norm-referenced test in grades 3–12
- Priority tiers favor lower-income families and students with disabilities
- Siblings of approved students receive automatic approval in subsequent rounds
- Application choice — homeschool vs. private school — is locked at time of application
TEFA — Disability Funding (Private School Only)
Additional funding for students with qualifying disabilities who attend an approved private school. Important: this higher amount is available only to private school students — homeschool families with a child with disabilities are still eligible for up to $2,000 (the standard homeschool amount).
- Applies to private school students only — not homeschool-only families
- Must have IEP on file with TEA or qualifying disability certification
- Household income at or below 500% FPL
- Highest priority tier in the TEFA lottery system
Texas Homeschool Groups by Region
Texas has hundreds of local co-ops, support groups, and community organizations. Browse by region — use the THSC directory for the most comprehensive statewide search.
THSC Support Group Directory
The most comprehensive Texas homeschool group directory — searchable by city and zip code. Includes regional groups, virtual groups, and local co-ops across all 254 Texas counties.
THSC Group DirectoryTheHomeschoolMom — Texas Directory
Comprehensive alphabetical public listing of statewide and local Texas homeschool organizations, co-ops, and support groups — by city, with statewide groups listed first.
Browse TX DirectoryClassical Conversations — Texas
Classical co-op communities across DFW, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and dozens of smaller Texas cities. Weekly co-op model with parent-taught classical content K–12.
Find TX LocationsTHSC Annual Conventions
Two statewide conventions each year — Arlington (DFW area) and The Woodlands (Houston area). Curriculum fairs, speakers, workshops, and networking for Texas homeschool families.
THSC ConventionsTEACH — Catholic Homeschoolers of North Texas
Faithful to the Magisterium, serving Catholic homeschool families across North Texas with support, community, and resources.
Find on THSC DirectoryECCHO — Ellis County
A 501(c)(3) support group for 100+ homeschooling families in Ellis County, south of Dallas. Offers Mom's Night Out, field trips, a theater program, and community events.
Find on THSC DirectoryDFW-Area Co-ops
Dallas-Fort Worth has dozens of co-ops ranging from Christian classical to secular eclectic. Use the THSC directory filtered by city or zip code to find groups in Tarrant, Dallas, Collin, and Denton counties.
THSC Group SearchThe Woodlands Area Groups
The Woodlands north of Houston has a particularly strong homeschool community. THSC hosts one of its two annual statewide conventions here each year.
Find on THSC DirectoryBVCHEA — Brazos Valley
Serves homeschool families in the Brazos Valley (College Station/Bryan area), facilitating community and supporting new homeschoolers across the region.
Find on TheHomeschoolMomHouston-Area Co-ops
Houston's homeschool community spans Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, and Brazoria counties. Use the THSC directory filtered by zip code to find co-ops near you.
THSC Group SearchHomeschoolers of Bell County
Serves families across Central Texas. No membership fees. Welcomes members from neighboring counties.
Find on TheHomeschoolMomAustin Classical Conversations
Multiple Classical Conversations communities throughout the Austin metro and surrounding Hill Country. Weekly co-op model serving K–12.
Find CC Austin LocationsAustin-Area Co-ops
Austin's growing homeschool population has generated a strong co-op network across Travis, Williamson, and Hays counties. Search the THSC directory by Austin zip codes.
THSC Group SearchSan Antonio Classical Conversations
Multiple Classical Conversations communities across Bexar County. Check the CC locator for currently active San Antonio-area communities.
Find CC San AntonioHill Country Groups
Homeschool families in Fredericksburg, Boerne, Kerrville, and New Braunfels have active communities. Use the THSC directory to find groups by county.
THSC Group SearchSA-Area Support Groups
Multiple faith-based and classical co-ops serve San Antonio families. The THSC directory is the best resource for finding active groups in specific SA zip codes.
THSC Group SearchPCHEA — Panhandle Christian Home Educators
A vibrant community in the Texas Panhandle gathering for support, resources, social events, and referrals. Private calendar for members.
Find on THSC DirectoryTACHE — Tyler Area Christian Home Educators
Serving East Texas homeschool families in the Tyler area with support, resources, and community.
Find on TheHomeschoolMomGWCHE — Greater Waco Christian Home Educators
A Christian volunteer support group in Waco serving the Central Texas corridor between Austin and DFW.
Find on TheHomeschoolMomWest Texas Groups
Families in El Paso, Midland, Odessa, Lubbock, and San Angelo have active communities. Use the THSC directory and TheHomeschoolMom to find groups by city.
THSC Group SearchMore Resources for Texas Families
Legal resources, TEFA guidance, free music education, college planning, and more — everything Texas homeschool families need.
THSC — Legal Resources
THSC's legal team monitors Texas legislation, provides member legal assistance, and maintains current guidance on Texas homeschool law including TEFA. First stop for any Texas legal question.
Texas Home School CoalitionHSLDA — Texas
Attorney-reviewed Texas homeschool legal guidance, withdrawal letter templates, and legal representation for member families.
HSLDA TexasPracticing Musician — Free Online Music
Free, structured online music education with 3,500+ video lessons across 15 instruments. Ideal for fine arts documentation and homeschool band/orchestra prep statewide. TEFA-eligible private lessons also available.
TEFA Official Portal
The official Texas Education Freedom Accounts site, administered by the Texas Comptroller. Application portal, approved expense guidelines, Odyssey marketplace, and 2027–28 interest list sign-up.
educationfreedom.texas.govUIL Equal Access — SB 401 (2025)
All Texas homeschool students are now eligible to participate in UIL extracurricular activities — athletics, fine arts competitions, academic contests — at their local school district or the next closest.
THSC SB 401 GuideTheHomeschoolMom — Texas
The most comprehensive public directory of Texas homeschool organizations and co-ops — alphabetical by city, with statewide groups listed first.
Browse TX DirectoryDual Enrollment — Texas Community Colleges
Texas community colleges offer open enrollment for homeschool students. Dual enrollment lets high school-aged homeschoolers earn college credit while completing their home education program.
TX Higher Ed BoardTHSC Transcript & Diploma Templates
THSC members have access to high school transcript and diploma templates. Using the TEA's 26-credit Foundation High School Program as a guide helps college-bound students align their coursework with university expectations.
THSC Member ResourcesTexas Homeschool FAQ
The questions Texas homeschool families ask most — answered directly, sourced from THSC and official Texas statutes.
Free music education for your Texas homeschooler
Practicing Musician provides free, structured online music lessons across 15 instruments for Texas homeschool families — with built-in documentation for fine arts and TEFA-eligible private lessons.
Get Started Free — It's Free →Free forever · 3,500+ lessons · 15 instruments · K–adult · TEFA-eligible private lessons available
Texas Homeschool Fine Arts Credit with Free Online Music
Credit hour calculations, transcript documentation, TEFA funding, and how to use free online music lessons for all 15 band and orchestra instruments.
Read the Fine Arts Guide →
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