Stephen Howsley, Author at Texas Home School Coalition

About Stephen Howsley

Stephen has been working for Texas Home School Coalition since 2015 as a writer, public policy analyst and lobbyist. A homeschool graduate himself, Stephen passionately believes in defending families’ rights to homeschool. He credits his leadership skills, character development and determination to 10 years spent with the Boy Scouts of America, where he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Stephen and his beautiful wife, Emma, live in Austin with their two Labrador Retrievers. In their free time, they love discovering new restaurants and coffee shops and exploring the great outdoors. They worship and serve at The Austin Stone Community Church in downtown Austin.

THSC Prevents CPS from Stepping Out of Bounds

By Stephen Howsley|2019-10-18T20:36:42-05:00December 23rd, 2016|Legal Advocacy, Member Interventions|

Following a productive meeting and correspondence with Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS) Commissioner Henry Whitman, Jr., THSC was able to prevent CPS from overstepping its authority.

Not long ago, THSC was contacted by an Odessa home school parent who had been told by a CPS caseworker that she and her husband must stop home schooling and enroll their child in public school. The child’s father began gathering his daughter’s personal records, while Mom placed a call to THSC.

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2 New Policy Changes Protecting Homeschool Families

By Stephen Howsley|2025-02-04T15:10:10-06:00November 29th, 2016|Legal Advocacy, Legislative Advocacy|

Our Constitution provides for three branches of government, but it seems we have a fourth branch—regulatory agencies. The legislature creates laws, but their oversight and implementation are entrusted to regulatory agencies. Public policy set by these agencies is a great place to affect change. In Texas, laws related to child protection cases are implemented and regulated by the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). Over the years, this enabled THSC to successfully negotiate several changes to CPS policy on behalf of home schoolers and parents.

Texas UIL: How Does Homeschool Freedom in Texas Really Compare to Other States? (And What You Can Do To Change It!)

By Stephen Howsley|2021-02-24T10:09:44-06:00November 22nd, 2016|Legislative Advocacy|

Have you ever ordered online and when the shipment arrives, it’s only part of what you ordered? As customers we want to find satisfaction and usefulness with our purchase. No one wants buyer’s regret. But when it comes to taxes, are we satisfied with our purchase?

Parent-Child Protection Act: Closing Expensive and Burdensome Loopholes for Parents

By Stephen Howsley|2023-06-23T16:18:09-05:00November 15th, 2016|Legal Advocacy, Legislative Advocacy|

Child Protective Services has just taken your child. In essence, you temporarily lose your parental rights. Completely devastated and emotionally raw, you might dare to ask, “What more could go wrong?”

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Are you thinking about not voting? 3 reasons to vote…

By Stephen Howsley|2023-06-07T15:39:13-05:00October 24th, 2016|Homeschool, Legal Advocacy, Legislative Advocacy|

The United States is changing. The country we live in today is not the same one our parents lived in 30 or 40 years ago. Politics in the U.S. has become so partisan and polarizing that values and platforms have been almost entirely overshadowed by emotions. This election cycle has left many people wondering how they can make a difference or whether it is even worth voting.

Chassidie Russell: Have You Heard Chassidie’s Story? You’ll Be Stunned

By Stephen Howsley|2025-03-11T17:04:33-05:00October 11th, 2016|Legal Advocacy, Legislative Advocacy|

“They came here and just took her ... She didn’t get to say goodbye; she didn’t get to see me for months.”

Although this sounds like a kidnapping, it’s not. Chassidie Russell’s daughter was taken by a Texas Family Court Judge. She spent three years living with estranged in-laws even though Russell was never accused of being neglectful or abusive.

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UIL Access: Should It Be a Governmental or Parental Decision?

By Stephen Howsley|2019-08-15T11:46:59-05:00September 21st, 2016|Legal Advocacy, Legislative Advocacy|

The University Interscholastic League (UIL) is a quasi governmental body established by the legislature through The University of Texas at Austin. It was organized to provide leadership and guidance to public school debate and athletic teachers and its governing body is made up of public school superintendents.

When founded in 1913, UIL originally allowed participation to all Texas students; however, it changed its policy in 1915 to exclude home school and minority participation.

Courts vs Parental Authority: Who Decides What’s Best for a Child?

By Stephen Howsley|2019-08-15T11:47:08-05:00September 15th, 2016|Legal Advocacy, Legislative Advocacy|

One of the most gruesome fights for parental rights in today’s courts is right in the middle of the family unit: the fight for custody or possession of a child. With home schooling increasing in popularity and THSC’s focus broadening to include fighting for parental rights, THSC has noticed an increase in child custody and possession issues as they relate to home schooling.

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CPS Dishonesty: Judge Orders Caseworkers to Read Texas Constitution

By Stephen Howsley|2025-03-11T16:38:52-05:00September 13th, 2016|Legal Advocacy, Legislative Advocacy|

THSC-endorsed Judge John Schmude of the 247th Family District Court in Harris County, Texas, issued a ruling that will likely cause Child Protective Services (CPS) in that county—if not statewide—to act more ethically.

Courts Are Investigating Texas Homeschool Families

By Stephen Howsley|2025-06-19T09:48:26-05:00August 30th, 2016|Legal Advocacy, Legislative Advocacy|

Currently, there are multiple issues with the CPS system that are destroying Texas families by the forced removal of children from fit parents. One of the most obvious problems with the CPS system is the non-attendance clause of the family code. This section of the Texas Family Code poses significant threats to home schooling families.

About Stephen Howsley

THSC Prevents CPS from Stepping Out of Bounds

2 New Policy Changes Protecting Homeschool Families

Texas UIL: How Does Homeschool Freedom in Texas Really Compare to Other States? (And What You Can Do To Change It!)

Parent-Child Protection Act: Closing Expensive and Burdensome Loopholes for Parents

Are you thinking about not voting? 3 reasons to vote…

Chassidie Russell: Have You Heard Chassidie’s Story? You’ll Be Stunned

UIL Access: Should It Be a Governmental or Parental Decision?

Courts vs Parental Authority: Who Decides What’s Best for a Child?

CPS Dishonesty: Judge Orders Caseworkers to Read Texas Constitution

Courts Are Investigating Texas Homeschool Families

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