A Homeschool Constitutional Amendment is within reach!
Homeschooling in Texas is free. We want to keep it that way. It’s time for a Texas Constitutional Amendment protecting homeschool freedom.
Texas homeschool students, families, and programs, would greatly benefit from a constitutional amendment that would prevent government overreach into their homeschools.
To ensure the continuation of the freedom homeschool families enjoy, Representative Cody Vasut and Senator Phil King filed twin joint resolutions, one in the House of Representatives (HJR37) and one in the Senate (SJR72), to ensure the long-term protection of educational freedom across the state.
A constitutional amendment to protect homeschool freedom is incredibly important for several reasons:
- Homeschooling in Texas is free, but that could change at any time. That’s why THSC has a team of advocates working full time in Austin during every legislative session to defend homeschooling.
- By putting explicit protections for homeschooling into the Texas Constitution, we can ensure that freedom for Texas homeschool families continues far into the future. These amendments would build a foundation of freedom and empower future generations to take responsibility for their child’s education.
What does the amendment say?
- The amendment makes clear that educational freedom is a critical Texas value that should be protected. The first part of the amendment identifies who is prohibited from regulating homeschooling. It lists, “An agency of the state government, including the legislature, or of a political subdivision of this state…”. This includes all government agencies, the legislature of the state (house or senate), as well as political subdivisions (which means counties, cities, and unincorporated areas).
- The last half of the amendment creates a strong prohibition on any attempt by these entities to regulate homeschooling. It says that these government entities, “may not regulate the educational program of a private school, including a home school, in this state.” This means that no part of the government will be able to regulate private schools or homeschools.
- HJR 37 will provide the highest protection possible for home and private schools. What this means is that the entities listed above, including new ones that are created, will never be able to regulate home or private schools.
- This would ensure long-term freedom of home and private schools!
Read the full text of the Constitutional Amendment (HJR No. 37).
How do we pass an amendment to the Texas Constitution?
The THSC team is prioritizing the passage of a constitutional amendment that would specifically protect the educational freedom of millions of Texans. We are working with legislators, coalition partners, and legal experts to get this amendment passed.
To add an amendment to the Texas Constitution, the proposed amendment has to pass the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas State Senate, each by a two-thirds vote. The proposed amendment will then be placed on the ballot and must be ratified by a majority of Texas voters.
The passage of the Educational Rights Constitutional Amendment is one of THSC’s top priorities for the 2023 Texas legislative session.
A Homeschool Constitutional Amendment is within reach!
Homeschooling in Texas is free. We want to keep it that way. It’s time for a Texas Constitutional Amendment protecting homeschool freedom.
Texas homeschool students, families, and programs, would greatly benefit from a constitutional amendment that would prevent government overreach into their homeschools.
To ensure the continuation of the freedom homeschool families enjoy, Representative Cody Vasut and Senator Phil King filed twin joint resolutions, one in the House of Representatives (HJR37) and one in the Senate (SJR72), to ensure the long-term protection of educational freedom across the state.
A constitutional amendment to protect homeschool freedom is incredibly important for several reasons:
- Homeschooling in Texas is free, but that could change at any time. That’s why THSC has a team of advocates working full time in Austin during every legislative session to defend homeschooling.
- By putting explicit protections for homeschooling into the Texas Constitution, we can ensure that freedom for Texas homeschool families continues far into the future. These amendments would build a foundation of freedom and empower future generations to take responsibility for their child’s education.
What does the amendment say?
- The amendment makes clear that educational freedom is a critical Texas value that should be protected. The first part of the amendment identifies who is prohibited from regulating homeschooling. It lists, “An agency of the state government, including the legislature, or of a political subdivision of this state…”. This includes all government agencies, the legislature of the state (house or senate), as well as political subdivisions (which means counties, cities, and unincorporated areas).
- The last half of the amendment creates a strong prohibition on any attempt by these entities to regulate homeschooling. It says that these government entities, “may not regulate the educational program of a private school, including a home school, in this state.” This means that no part of the government will be able to regulate private schools or homeschools.
- HJR 37 will provide the highest protection possible for home and private schools. What this means is that the entities listed above, including new ones that are created, will never be able to regulate home or private schools.
- This would ensure long-term freedom of home and private schools!
Read the full text of the Constitutional Amendment (HJR No. 37).
How do we pass an amendment to the Texas Constitution?
The THSC team is prioritizing the passage of a constitutional amendment that would specifically protect the educational freedom of millions of Texans. We are working with legislators, coalition partners, and legal experts to get this amendment passed.
To add an amendment to the Texas Constitution, the proposed amendment has to pass the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas State Senate, each by a two-thirds vote. The proposed amendment will then be placed on the ballot and must be ratified by a majority of Texas voters.
The passage of the Educational Rights Constitutional Amendment is one of THSC’s top priorities for the 2023 Texas legislative session.
