I think Texas is the best state in which to homeschool. Though if any of you have similar feelings about other states, please let me know! I hate the climate here and would love to move. I've wanted to move for years.
But we don't move, and the homeschooling laws are one of the biggest reasons why.
There are no laws about homeschooling in Texas. None. Zip. Nada. Nothing.
I don't have to inform anyone, get approval from anyone, file education plans with anyone, keep attendance for anyone, have my kids tested, submit a portfolio, or do any kind of evaluation or record-keeping at all. AT ALL.
It is interesting what you'll find on the web, though. If you search on Texas homeschooling laws, you'll learn that homeschoolers are considered to be private schools in Texas; and that we are required to teach grammar, spelling, mathematics, reading and good citizenship." What is interesting about this is that none of it is true.
Most people extract the above information from the court case Leeper vs. Arlington. Here Judge Chas. J. Murray spelled out, explicitly, that homeschooling is legal under existing Texas law, and that the T.E.A. (who had been harrassing homeschoolers) had to just suck it up and deal with it. Wasn't that nice of him?
You hear a lot about Leeper vs. Arlington here in Texas. Most often it begins with the statement: "The court case of Leeper v. Arlington ISD is the basis for our right to homeschool in Texas." I hate this statement. The BASIS for our right to homeschool? As in, we didn't have this right before this court case? The basis of our right to homeschool comes from the fact that my children are mine, and I get to make the decisions. That is all. Thank you. The court case made that existing right explicit. Seeing it as anything else is dangerous. If you are interested in learning more about this issue, please visit HomeSchooling Texas.
Here is what Leeper vs. Arlington actually said (taken from HomeSchooling Texas:
"It is, therefore, ordered, adjudged and decreed that a school-age child residing in the state of Texas who is pursuing under the direction of a parent or parents or one standing in parental authority in or through the child's home in a bona fide (good faith, not a sham or subterfuge) manner a curriculum consisting of books, workbooks, or written materials including that which appears on an electronic screen of either a computer or video tape monitor, or any combination of the preceding from (1) either one of a private or parochial school which exists apart from the child home or (2) which has been developed or obtained from any source, said curriculum designed to meet basic education goals of reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics and a study of good citizenship, is in attendance upon a private or parochial school within the meaning of Section 21.033 (a) (1) of the Texas Education Code and exempt from the requirements of compulsory attendance at a public school . . ."
End of story. See?
So, if a school district wants to find out if I am really homeschooling my kids, they can ask. And then I can send them a letter saying "I am homeschooling my children in a bona fide manner, using a written curriculum that meets the basic education goals of reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics and good citizenship. Thank you, and have a nice day." This is all voluntary on my part, however. There is no law requiring my compliance on this issue. (I'd probably do it, though.)
And that's why I like homeschooling in Texas.
Posted by Steph at July 12, 2003 09:48 PMHear, hear!
I have a post in my head, very similar to this. It goes on to add that there is very little I don't like about living in Texas due to the great homeschooling laws (or lack), midwifery/homebirth laws, and vax issues. I can be my own kid's parent here and not have to worry about Big Brother coming down and telling me that I'm screwing up.
Posted by: Susie on July 13, 2003 09:33 AMThank you for your info. I just recently withdrew my eighth grader from the public school system. Things are already much less hectic. Would like to do the same with my 3rd grader, but my husband is not yet convinced. I was layed off before the summer and haven't been successful in finding exactly what I want so I figure God has better things in store for me and my family. Particularly, homeschooling. Question: Can anyone suggest any support groups or clubs in the Fort Bend area? And question 2: Can anyone suggest websites for free curriculums.
Posted by: J. Hall on December 28, 2003 04:14 PMFor J. Hall who asked about support groups in the
Fort Bend area...check Yahoo groups for LAF (Learning Adventures Ft. Bend), HATCH (Houston Area TriCounty Homeschoolers, or something similar), and KASH. There's also a Ft. Bend Homeschool group I've heard about from LAF.
If your question has already been answered, sorry to tread on the toes of whoever and whatever web-posting format I have accidentally stumbled upon.
And by the way, I agree with the losing half your mental capacity with each pregnancy...
--Leslie
Can anyone suggest websites for free curriculums?
I am living in East Texas and I have withdrawn my 8th grader this year and I'm going to try her on homeschooling, the school systems here and in dallas where we just moved from, they Suck! (sorry) I have a 7th grade daughter that is in special ed and the school system in dallas that she has been in since kindergarten has done Nothing for her, they sit her in the back of the rooms in a desk and forgets about her b/c they do not want to take the xtra time to help her out and teach her what she needs, that part got me seriosly angry when i found out they were doing that to her, or atleast a teacher of hers was doing that, she ended up getting fired! my daughter, she is 12 yrs old and is reading in a 2nd grade level b/c they do not want to take the time out and teach her they way she SHOULD be taught, so i'm taking it all in my own hands and i will home school her also, atleast i KNOW she will learn what she needs and she will do alot better, that's my opinion. If anyone can point me in the right direction on getting more info and supplies on homeschooling. please let me know. Thanks!!
Angel,
The only website I know of that provides a whole, free curriculum is Ambleside Online.
Other than that, I suggest that you beg/borrow a copy of "Homeschooling Your Child For Free". My local library has it.
Many families do nothing for awhile after pulling their child out of school. They use this time as a readjustment period called "deschooling." You can use this time to research homeschooling, and find out what you think is going to work best for you and your daughter.
Search the web for essays by John Taylor Gatto and John Holt. I also highly recomment The Well-Trained Mind. This is an excellent program that you can follow for very little money, if you get creative about it. If you are interested in TWTM but it seems overwhelming, come back here and ask your questions. I'll be happy to help.
In Texas, it really is all up to you. I've got a couple of links on my sidebar dealing with homeschooling - start there. It is up to you, and your daughter, to decide what/how/when she'll learn. There is no "perfect" curriculum and really, anything will work (or none, if you choose to unschool) - as long as you and your daughter focus on what you want out of her education, and keep your minds open.
Good luck :)
Posted by: Stephanie on February 1, 2004 11:45 AMHi, I absolutely love that I found this site. I was looking up homeschool laws in all 50 states and was appalled at the hoops these states have people jump through. Some states won't let you homeschool unless you have a degree in education!! Man, I am thrilled to be in Texas, but like you, I HATE the climate. I miss snow and mountains. We would love to move to Colorado, but they have strict laws and I just can't deal with that. So I am resigned to stay here because of TX's awesome freedom in homeschooling. Do any of you know if any other state can match Texas in this freedom or are we IT? It is a little nerve-wracking to be limited to where we can live just because of these laws. Thanks for your help!
Posted by: Deana on February 25, 2004 12:07 PMHi, I absolutely love that I found this site. I was looking up homeschool laws in all 50 states and was appalled at the hoops these other states have people jump through. Some states won't let you homeschool unless you have a degree in education!! Man, I am thrilled to be in Texas, but like you, I don't like the climate. I miss snow and mountains. We would love to move to Colorado, but they have strict laws and I just can't deal with that. So I am resigned to stay here because of TX's awesome freedom in homeschooling. Do any of you know if any other state can match Texas in this freedom or are we IT? It is a little nerve-wracking to be limited to where we can live just because of these laws. Thanks for your help!
Posted by: Deana on February 25, 2004 12:08 PMI just moved to San Antonio from California. It's beautiful here, but the weather takes some getting used to & I wont even get into my first experience with fire ants!! Put it this way, the lil buggers just love fat middle aged redheads =(
Anyway my 4 year old son is basically non verbal. We want to home school because like me (I have ADHD & dyslexia) he does alot better in familiar surroundings & needs quiet, besides we dont want him out of our sight because of fears of mollestation & bullys. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thank you so much in advance =)
Dolores & family
me again... forgot to mention my son has autism, whoooooopsy! Dolores
Posted by: Dolores on April 19, 2004 08:46 AMDeana,
I have found Texas to be the best in terms of lack of regulation. However, many other states have regulation that is so light that it is really not a problem. Oklahoma is really easy, for instance. Illinois has a requirement of a certain number of clock hours, but other than that seems quite easy. Here's an article from the Wall Street Journal grading states on their educational freedom. This takes into account more than just homeschooling, so read it carefully.
If you do a little web searching it is easy to find which states have which requirements. There are several states I'd feel comfortable moving to; however Texas is the only state I've found that does not require notification of any kind. If I find any others, I'll post them here :)
Posted by: Stephanie on April 22, 2004 01:23 PMIm BACK... How do I go about home schooling
my son ( he's autistic & mute except for an
occasional mom or dad )Would appreciate any
suggestions. Thanks Dolores =)
I am just a college student doing a paper, but in my research I have found that in Connecticut the state law on this matter was written in the 1600’s and gives parents all accountability for their child’s education. In the states of Alaska and Idaho if a child is being schooled at home there is no government regulation of any kind enforced. In the states of Illinois, Kansas, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Utah the only thing a parent must do in order to home school is notify the local school or district in which they live to inform them they will be teaching their children at home. Just FYI if you still wanted to move.
Posted by: Eve Nicholson on July 26, 2004 04:28 AMI have tried both. I teach my daughter's what the schools no longer teach in school. I have found lots of sites to help. Feel free to email me. Texas is more interested in the state tests the teaching our kids what the really need to know.
tj5910@sbcglobal.net
Posted by: tracy on August 5, 2004 06:28 PM"Can anyone suggest websites for free curriculums?
I am living in East Texas and I have withdrawn my 8th grader this year and I'm going to try her on homeschooling"
I was introduced to Christian Light Education years ago and found it to help all of my children. The material is plain and simple which makes it cost effective. The education was step-by-step. One of my children was special ed and this program truly helped me find the gaps in his education and fill them. I put him back into public school for high school and his education fell apart again. If you prefer not to use religious based material, go to the TEA website and look at the TEKS expectations for the grade level of your child. Let this be the bare minimum that you teach at each grade level. Home schooled kids learn a whole lot more. You fill in the gaps with the education you want your child to enter his or her adult life. You'll have to call the 1800 information to get the phone number for Christian Light Education. Each subject runs about 12 workbooks per school year and about $4.00 per workbook. What really helped me out was the testing I administered and the gaps it pointed out to me. In one subject I had to go all the way back to the 3rd grade for my special ed highschooler. That was hard for a high schooler. He recently took a college entrance exam (you know how Texas likes to test folks to an early grave.) He passed all sections with room to spare. He also passed the TAAS. My other high schooler passed the TEKS math with a special note on his great performance. We all attribute their math skills to the step-by-step method taught using Christian Light Education. CLE science is weak and I would recommend a lot more outside material in science, and outside reading in English and social studies. Their math, however, is great.
Posted by: on August 10, 2004 06:39 PMFor those who are looking for FREE textbooks take a look at www.emed.net. They only ask for a donation and shipping expenses.
Posted by: Amanda on August 16, 2004 10:54 PMDolores,
I'm a Special Ed. (Texas certified) teacher. I am homeschooling my 8th grader, 2nd grader and Pre-K 4y/o. My 13 y/o has only been in public school for 2 grades ( she went to public so I could teach). I tell you all this to let you know, the students I had with autism or Asperger's Syndrome always responded best to "hands on" learning, especially the computer. Of course for a 4 y/o anything like blocks, Play-Doh, puzzles, dolls, pots, pans, etc. gives the opportunity for a child to create, imagine, and in turn learning occurs. You can use cards with symbols ie: a picture of milk and another card with a picture of juice to encourage your child to make a "choice" of what he wants to drink. You can encourage your child to "say" what he wants but, if he can "show" you the correct card (his choice), then affirm him with small steps. Later if he can show you the card and get the "m" for milk or "j" for juice sound out of his mouth you will be making remarkable progress.
I'm not sure if a "curriculum" is what you need, but mix and match might work best. Find his strengths, teach to those, and work on weakenesses.
I hope this helps.
Erica
I'm journalist working for a radio. I'm looking for family who practise homeschooling to make a report. It's urgent I 'm In houston for 3 days . Pease email me.
Philippe