Bars persons convicted of certain offenses from administering a home-based educational program and sets limitations for persons under investigation for child neglect or abuse. It failed in 2026. CODR is watching because limits tied to investigations rather than convictions could open the door to wider homeschool restrictions.
Removes requirements for parents’ certifications and for a curriculum covering the same subjects as public schools. Parents, not the state, should direct their children’s home education.
The Child Captivity Prevention Act would require a student education and wellness assurance visit to the home when a family moves to the state and intends to homeschool. Choosing to homeschool should not trigger a government visit to a family’s home.
Permits students taught at home, by a private tutor, or at private or church schools that are not activities-commission members to participate in school activities. Related bills would create a Homeschool Student Athletics Participation Act. Homeschool families pay taxes too and their children deserve fair access to school activities.
Allows a homeschool student’s academic progress evaluation letter to be submitted by a person with a bachelor’s degree or higher, instead of the current master’s degree requirement. Homeschooling families should face fewer hurdles in meeting state requirements.
Prohibits the regulation of home school programs in Texas. Parents, not the state, should direct their children’s home education.
The bill would change school board rule publication and provisions on the home education program. Homeschool families need to know whether this adds or removes requirements; the description does not say.
The bill would authorize school committees to deny or defer approval of a proposed homeschooling plan in certain circumstances. Parents, not school committees, should decide how to educate their children at home.
The bill makes many school law changes, including on vaccines and notice to parents, and creates tax credits for private and home school costs. Tax credits for home school costs could help families, but this broad bill needs watching.
The bill would create an education savings account program for students not enrolled in public school or a homeschool program. School choice funding can help families but can also bring regulation, so CODR is watching.