How to Withdraw From Texas Schools for Homeschooling

Removing a child from a Texas public school to begin homeschooling is easier than most other states. The Home School Legal Defense Association states that there are no reporting nor approval requirements for homeschool families withdrawing their children from Texas schools. In the state of Texas, homeschools are considered private schools and, therefore, exempt students from compulsory attendance.

Instructions

1. Go to your child's public school and request unenrollment forms from the attendance clerk or front office. You must complete these forms to have your child removed from the school's attendance list.

2. Fill the forms out and return to the school. Where the form asks why you are withdrawing your child, indicate either private or homeschool. According to Texas law, your homeschool is a private school so you can tell the school you will be enrolling your child in private school if you do not want to explain your choice.

3. Request a copy of your child's education records. These records are not necessary in Texas, but you should retain a copy.

4. Make copies of all the unenrollment papers or ask the school secretary to make them for you. Breaking the compulsory attendance law in Texas can lead to a Class C misdemeanor. Should the school district try to report your child truant, these copies will prove your child was unenrolled.

References

• Home School Legal Defense Association: Home Schooling in the United States: A Legal Analysis - Texas