For decades, Texas has led the way in protecting a parent’s right to direct their child’s education. THSC is the only homeschool organization with a team on the ground full-time in Austin protecting homeschooling and parental rights.
During the 2025 legislative session, THSC worked to remove barriers, expand access, and safeguard freedom for homeschool families across the state. From college admissions to extracurricular access, from bureaucratic overreach to regulatory protections—our team was on the ground in Austin, day in and day out, working to ensure that the voices of homeschooling families were heard and valued under Texas law.
And the results speak for themselves: all but one of THSC’s priority bills passed—many with overwhelming bipartisan support.
These wins weren’t just policy tweaks—they represent real progress for thousands of families. And they send a clear message: Texas is committed to protecting the freedom to homeschool.
We’re especially grateful for champions in the Legislature—Senator Mayes Middleton, Representative Dennis Paul, Senator Angela Paxton, Representative James Frank, Representative David Cook, and Senator Brent Hagenbuch—who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with our team to ensure that homeschool freedom remains a cornerstone of Texas law.
Here are the key victories:
Equal Treatment for Homeschool Graduates: HB 3041
Last year, THSC was contacted by HSLDA (a national homeschool organization from Virginia) about a homeschool graduate trying to get into UT Austin who was told that automatic admission for a homeschooler required a perfect score on the ACT–something that only 0.5% of students achieve. THSC subsequently heard from other homeschoolers trying to get into UT Austin and Texas A&M who were running into the same barrier.
In response, THSC’s legislative team on the ground in Austin drafted and passed House Bill 3041, authored by Representative Paul and sponsored by Senator Middleton. This bill ensures that homeschool students are treated equally by Texas colleges and universities for policies regarding class rank, financial aid, and dual credit programs. Under HB 3041, a homeschool student trying to qualify for top 10% automatic admission at a public university would need to secure an SAT or ACT score in the top 10%. Colleges will be required to publish in advance what score is required for a homeschool student to qualify for that school year.
This ensures homeschool students are treated equally and will have access to automatic admission at Texas colleges and universities just like other students do.
Status: Passed both chambers; headed to Governor Abbott’s desk.
The Homeschool Freedom Act: HB 2674
One of the greatest threats to homeschoolers doesn’t come from legislation—it comes from unelected bureaucrats. In recent years, state agencies have increasingly signaled an interest in regulating homeschoolers through agency rulemaking rather than elected representatives.
HB 2674, filed by Representative David Cook and sponsored by Senator Brent Hagenbuch, closed that door. This bill ensures that neither the Texas Education Agency (TEA) nor the State Board of Education (SBOE) can impose new regulations on homeschoolers without explicit approval from the Legislature.
Status: Passed both chambers; on its way to the Governor’s desk.
With this bill, THSC delivered a powerful message: the right to homeschool belongs to families—not unelected bureaucrats.
Expanding Access to Extracurriculars: SB 401
In 2021, Texas took a step toward expanding opportunities for homeschoolers by passing the UIL Equal Access Bill, which opened the door to participation in athletic, artistic, and academic UIL activities. That legislation—House Bill 557—created a pathway for homeschooled students to join these extracurricular programs. However, access was left to the discretion of local school boards, requiring each district to vote to allow homeschool participation. As a result, only 46 out of more than 1,200 school districts have opted in, leaving thousands of students effectively excluded from the benefits of the UIL Equal Access Bill.
This session, that changed.
SB 401, filed by Senator Angela Paxton, sponsored by Representative James Frank, makes UIL participation the default across Texas. School districts will now have to opt out publicly, and if they do, homeschool students will have the right to participate in the next closest school district.
Status: Passed both chambers; awaits the Governor’s signature.
School Choice Becomes Law: What SB 2 Means for Homeschool Families
This session, Texas made history. Saturday, May 2nd, Governor Greg Abbott signed SB 2 into law, setting the stage for the largest expansion of education freedom in Texas history.
THSC was actively involved in shaping the final version of SB 2 to ensure it protects homeschool freedom as we know it today.
So, what does this mean for homeschoolers?
- Nothing changes for families who don’t want to participate. School choice is optional, and the program requirements won’t apply to those who don’t participate; that means Texas homeschoolers can keep homeschooling the same way. There is no testing requirement for homeschoolers. Homeschool freedoms as we know them are protected within the bill.
- Homeschool protections are preserved in the law. Families who do choose to participate in school choice programs have strong protections against government intrusion in their foundational right to educate their children as they see fit.
- Opportunities for families who need them. For eligible families who choose to apply, ESA funds may help provide access to curriculum, tutors, or educational services that support their unique learning needs.
The program is expected to take about a year to roll out. ESA funds will be available to approved families by summer 2026.
In the meantime, THSC remains closely engaged—monitoring implementation, safeguarding freedom, and advocating for a program that uplifts Texas families without compromising the independence of homeschoolers.
Standing Guard for the Next Generation
This session’s victories didn’t happen overnight. They were the result of years of groundwork—relationships built, stories shared, and a movement of families who refused to sit quietly on the sidelines.
The THSC Watchmen program—our elite team of homeschool graduates—lived in Austin for months to analyze bills, meet with lawmakers, and ensure that every piece of legislation was viewed through a lens of family freedom and educational choice.
And homeschool parents across Texas stepped up—sending emails, making calls, and even testifying to show legislators what engaged, empowered families look like.
What’s Next?
The wins of 2025 will shape the future for thousands of homeschool families—but the work isn’t done. THSC will continue to:
- Defend the right to homeschool without interference
- Protect homeschool families from bureaucratic overreach
- Equip parents with the tools to make informed decisions
Homeschool freedom is not just a policy issue—it’s a generational legacy and thanks to this year’s legislative progress, that legacy is stronger than ever.
With these victories behind us, we look to the future with renewed determination. Because when families are free, children flourish—and that’s the future we’re building together.
For decades, Texas has led the way in protecting a parent’s right to direct their child’s education. THSC is the only homeschool organization with a team on the ground full-time in Austin protecting homeschooling and parental rights.
During the 2025 legislative session, THSC worked to remove barriers, expand access, and safeguard freedom for homeschool families across the state. From college admissions to extracurricular access, from bureaucratic overreach to regulatory protections—our team was on the ground in Austin, day in and day out, working to ensure that the voices of homeschooling families were heard and valued under Texas law.
And the results speak for themselves: all but one of THSC’s priority bills passed—many with overwhelming bipartisan support.
These wins weren’t just policy tweaks—they represent real progress for thousands of families. And they send a clear message: Texas is committed to protecting the freedom to homeschool.
We’re especially grateful for champions in the Legislature—Senator Mayes Middleton, Representative Dennis Paul, Senator Angela Paxton, Representative James Frank, Representative David Cook, and Senator Brent Hagenbuch—who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with our team to ensure that homeschool freedom remains a cornerstone of Texas law.
Here are the key victories:
Equal Treatment for Homeschool Graduates: HB 3041
Last year, THSC was contacted by HSLDA (a national homeschool organization from Virginia) about a homeschool graduate trying to get into UT Austin who was told that automatic admission for a homeschooler required a perfect score on the ACT–something that only 0.5% of students achieve. THSC subsequently heard from other homeschoolers trying to get into UT Austin and Texas A&M who were running into the same barrier.
In response, THSC’s legislative team on the ground in Austin drafted and passed House Bill 3041, authored by Representative Paul and sponsored by Senator Middleton. This bill ensures that homeschool students are treated equally by Texas colleges and universities for policies regarding class rank, financial aid, and dual credit programs. Under HB 3041, a homeschool student trying to qualify for top 10% automatic admission at a public university would need to secure an SAT or ACT score in the top 10%. Colleges will be required to publish in advance what score is required for a homeschool student to qualify for that school year.
This ensures homeschool students are treated equally and will have access to automatic admission at Texas colleges and universities just like other students do.
Status: Passed both chambers; headed to Governor Abbott’s desk.
The Homeschool Freedom Act: HB 2674
One of the greatest threats to homeschoolers doesn’t come from legislation—it comes from unelected bureaucrats. In recent years, state agencies have increasingly signaled an interest in regulating homeschoolers through agency rulemaking rather than elected representatives.
HB 2674, filed by Representative David Cook and sponsored by Senator Brent Hagenbuch, closed that door. This bill ensures that neither the Texas Education Agency (TEA) nor the State Board of Education (SBOE) can impose new regulations on homeschoolers without explicit approval from the Legislature.
Status: Passed both chambers; on its way to the Governor’s desk.
With this bill, THSC delivered a powerful message: the right to homeschool belongs to families—not unelected bureaucrats.
Expanding Access to Extracurriculars: SB 401
In 2021, Texas took a step toward expanding opportunities for homeschoolers by passing the UIL Equal Access Bill, which opened the door to participation in athletic, artistic, and academic UIL activities. That legislation—House Bill 557—created a pathway for homeschooled students to join these extracurricular programs. However, access was left to the discretion of local school boards, requiring each district to vote to allow homeschool participation. As a result, only 46 out of more than 1,200 school districts have opted in, leaving thousands of students effectively excluded from the benefits of the UIL Equal Access Bill.
This session, that changed.
SB 401, filed by Senator Angela Paxton, sponsored by Representative James Frank, makes UIL participation the default across Texas. School districts will now have to opt out publicly, and if they do, homeschool students will have the right to participate in the next closest school district.
Status: Passed both chambers; awaits the Governor’s signature.
School Choice Becomes Law: What SB 2 Means for Homeschool Families
This session, Texas made history. Saturday, May 2nd, Governor Greg Abbott signed SB 2 into law, setting the stage for the largest expansion of education freedom in Texas history.
THSC was actively involved in shaping the final version of SB 2 to ensure it protects homeschool freedom as we know it today.
So, what does this mean for homeschoolers?
- Nothing changes for families who don’t want to participate. School choice is optional, and the program requirements won’t apply to those who don’t participate; that means Texas homeschoolers can keep homeschooling the same way. There is no testing requirement for homeschoolers. Homeschool freedoms as we know them are protected within the bill.
- Homeschool protections are preserved in the law. Families who do choose to participate in school choice programs have strong protections against government intrusion in their foundational right to educate their children as they see fit.
- Opportunities for families who need them. For eligible families who choose to apply, ESA funds may help provide access to curriculum, tutors, or educational services that support their unique learning needs.
The program is expected to take about a year to roll out. ESA funds will be available to approved families by summer 2026.
In the meantime, THSC remains closely engaged—monitoring implementation, safeguarding freedom, and advocating for a program that uplifts Texas families without compromising the independence of homeschoolers.
Standing Guard for the Next Generation
This session’s victories didn’t happen overnight. They were the result of years of groundwork—relationships built, stories shared, and a movement of families who refused to sit quietly on the sidelines.
The THSC Watchmen program—our elite team of homeschool graduates—lived in Austin for months to analyze bills, meet with lawmakers, and ensure that every piece of legislation was viewed through a lens of family freedom and educational choice.
And homeschool parents across Texas stepped up—sending emails, making calls, and even testifying to show legislators what engaged, empowered families look like.
What’s Next?
The wins of 2025 will shape the future for thousands of homeschool families—but the work isn’t done. THSC will continue to:
- Defend the right to homeschool without interference
- Protect homeschool families from bureaucratic overreach
- Equip parents with the tools to make informed decisions
Homeschool freedom is not just a policy issue—it’s a generational legacy and thanks to this year’s legislative progress, that legacy is stronger than ever.
