How to withdraw your child from public school and homeschool in Texas

Step by step

1. Step 1. Know what Texas requires to start

   Texas law requires no notice, registration, approval or form to start homeschooling, and the Texas Education Agency says it does not regulate, register or approve home schools. Homeschools are treated as private schools exempt from attendance under Tex. Educ. Code 25.086(a)(1), which refers to a private or parochial school whose course includes a study of good citizenship.

2. Step 2. Leave the school the right way

   The TEA letter of July 11, 2019 says a district should dis-enroll a student on written notice from the parent, by the district's withdrawal form or a letter, and may not require a personal appearance or curriculum review. A signed, dated parent letter stating the child will be homeschooled and the start date is enough for the district to record the exit as a home-school leaver (Leaver Code 60). The statute itself is silent on mid-year withdrawal steps.

3. Step 3. Watch the deadlines

   No deadline in the statute and no annual filing. The TEA letter says a district may ask for a letter of assurance that reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics and good citizenship are taught, but not every year.

4. Step 4. Ask for your child’s records

   Tex. Educ. Code 26.004 gives a parent access to all written records of the district concerning the child, including attendance, test scores, grades, disciplinary, counseling, psychological, medical and learning-assistance records. FERPA also gives a parent the right to inspect and request a copy of the child's education records.

5. Step 5. If your child has an IEP or a 504 plan

   No Texas-specific withdrawal form or wait was found. Federal rule 34 CFR 300.300(b)(4) lets a parent revoke consent to special education services in writing, and revocation ends those services. Parent records access under FERPA, 34 CFR 99.10, covers the child's IEP file.

Before you pull your child out

A letter you can fill in

Fill in the boxes and copy the letter. It is built from what we found above for Texas: it goes to your child's current school to withdraw, and the state filing described above is a separate step. Check it against the state office before you send it.

[today's date]

To: The principal or registrar of my child's current school [name and address]

Re: Withdrawal from school and home education, [child's full name]

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am the parent of [child's full name], born [date of birth], who is currently enrolled in grade [grade] at [name of current school]. Please accept this letter as notice that I am withdrawing my child from [name of current school], effective [start date]. I will be providing a home education program under Tex. Educ. Code 25.086(a)(1).

I also request a copy of my child's education records, including the cumulative file, attendance and any testing records. Please send them to the address below.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

[your name]
[your address]

Who to ask in Texas

Texas Education Agency, Home Schooling, last checked October 2026.

A plain-language summary of public sources, not legal advice. Laws and forms change, so confirm the current rules with the state office before you send anything.

Questions