What is Texas Home Educators?
Texas Home Educators (THE) is a nonprofit statewide homeschool service organization. It serves families starting out and families already homeschooling, and it works with local groups on activities, homeschool days, and other learning experiences. The about page says there are almost 400,000 children homeschooling in Texas.
What does THE actually do for groups?
The mission page sums it up as promote, partner, and provide. THE will cross-promote a local event that is open to non-members, help a local group plan and run an event when asked, and act as an incorporated umbrella for events such as spelling, geography, or history bees. Because it is a nonprofit, THE does not lobby. It does advocate for homeschooling with groups and media.
Is homeschooling legal in Texas?
Yes. To homeschool legally, the education should be directed by a parent, or someone standing in parental authority, in or through the child’s home, in good faith. It should cover reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics, and a study of good citizenship. Texas law treats that homeschool as an unaccredited private school, under the Leeper decision.
Do we have to test, register, or turn in a curriculum?
The Start Here page says there are no state testing requirements and no reporting requirements. Families new to Texas do not register with the local district, and the district does not come into the home to review curriculum.
What if our children are in public school now?
Formally withdraw them. The site suggests the same practical steps as changing schools: withdraw, get records, return books, gather personal items, and settle accounts. It suggests sending the withdrawal letter by certified mail, return receipt requested, and sending a copy to the registrar. A sample withdrawal letter is linked from the Start Here page.
How do we find a group, co-op, or class?
The resource directory lists support groups, co-ops, clubs, sports, tutors, classes, and related resources by city, and by county in less populated areas. Some groups are Christian-only, some are led by Christians and open to all faiths, and some are secular. Ask for an intro pack and visit before a year-long commitment.
How does the events calendar work?
The calendar can be limited to one regional calendar by turning the others off. If your region has no calendar, local events are under the Texas Home Educators calendar. A group that wants its open events listed can email THE for the link to add them.
What does membership include, and what does it cost?
Silver is $25 a year: newsletter, an HSLDA discount worth $20, and members-only discounts. Gold is $55 a year: those benefits plus legal membership services, free admission to THE events, and CEUs for workshops attended. Platinum is $75 a year: the Gold benefits, plus online webinars and conference workshops, access to printables and lesson plans, and free membership in THE libraries. A free newsletter, separate from paid membership, is also offered.
Is there a military membership?
The membership page says the board approved a Military Silver Membership for active duty military homeschool families in Texas.
Where are free lesson plans, and how do we reach you?
A public Free Lesson Plans page lists resources for elementary, middle school, high school, and Texas history. Reach THE through the contact form at https://texashomeeducators.org/contact-us/ or email. The site says email is answered within 24 hours. The first THE homeschool library is described as opening in Fredericksburg.
