Texas homeschooling....HELP!?

Question

I mailed a certified letter to my son's principal telling her I wanted to homeschool and she sent back a HOME SCHOOLING EXIT INTERVIEW for me to fill out and it says they're entitled to come to my house PERIODICALLY and check-up on him becaus it's their legal obligation to enforce compulsory attendance laws. I don't want to sign this form and I don't want to become a member of the HSLDA. What do I do to keep the school disctrict away?

Answer 1

Try finding a home school group in your area who will know all the laws form the state. Be sure to find out your rights before you allow the public school any access.

Answer 2

The information you have been given is absolutely false!  

Here is a description of Texas' homeschooling laws:

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

You are not required to submit any further documentation to the state, and you are certainly not required to submit to any follow up or check up.  You do not even need to complete the exit interview.

Do not comply with this Principal's request.  Contact http://www.thsc.org as soon as possible.  The Texas Homeschool Coalition will clear this up for you right away and keep the school district from harrassing you further.  They are not a support group, but a legal organization.

You may not want to join an organization, but this is definitely the route I would take for the sake of ease and peace of mind.  

I met the President of THSC at our local convention and he is very kind and knowledgeable.  He showed us a documentary about the history of homeschooling in Texas.  Their lawyers know Texas homeschool law in and out, and were the ones who made homeschooling legal in Texas.

Best wishes!

Answer 3

Go to http://www.thsc.org.   What they are telling you is WRONG!

Answer 4

http://www.tea.state.tx.us/home.school/h...

As I read, there is nothing necessary but a letter of intent and assurance to cover subjects required (as stated) in the law.  Districts frequently try to overstep their bounds.  DO NOT sign anything until you speak to someone from a Texas Home Education group.  As stated above, it is YOUR responsibility to know the law and abide by it.  So go to the TEA website and get a copy of the actual law as written.  Make a copy for the principal of the school.  In my experience in Ohio......handing the "demander" the copy of the law and telling them to POINT to the section of the code that requires what they have told you is necessary.....generally solves the problem.  Also, if you give them a letter of intent in person, have them sign a receipt that you type up.  If you send it by mail, send it registered and have them sign for it.   Do NOT lose that receipt.  Keep accurate records.  Know your rights and abide by all laws.  Do not let anyone in your home without documentation (i.e. warrants).  If you don't like HSLDA, find an alternative support system and do not attempt to go it alone.  Homeschoolers help one another!