The Problem
In April 2016, a THSC member called THSC about an issue her daughter had with admission at Sam Houston State University (SHSU).
Although her SAT scores were above the minimum score accepted by the university for regular students, SHSU told the member’s daughter that homeschoolers were required to have higher standardized test scores than their public school counterparts.
THSC’s Analysis
After reviewing the SHSU website, THSC learned that the university did have different admission standards for homeschool graduates compared to public school graduates. The website stated that there were separate standardized test score requirements for homeschool and public school graduates.
This discriminatory admission policy is a violation of Section 51.9241 of the Texas Education Code. During the 2015 legislative session, the THSC Watchmen addressed this common inequitable issue by working on and influencing the passing of Senate Bill 1543, known as the Equal College Opportunity Act.
The Equal College Opportunity Act was drafted and passed to end unfair practices against homeschool graduates in public Texas universities and colleges. It stopped schools from assigning by default a below-average class rank to homeschoolers thereby requiring them to score higher on SAT/ACT tests to compensate.
THSC’s Response
After calling SHSU’s office of admissions to verify the information, the policy department wrote a letter on behalf of the homeschool graduate similar to the one that THSC recently sent to Steven F. Austin University.
The letter informed the office of admissions at SHSU that their admission requirements were not aligned with the Texas Education Code and should be brought into compliance with Texas law. THSC urged the university to consider our member’s child for admission to SHSU.
SHSU Complies
THSC writes dozens of letters per year to government agencies or organizations just like SHSU. Fortunately, most problems are resolved with the first letter from THSC. The same goes for the situation with our homeschool graduate member and SHSU.
Within a month of THSC sending the initial letter to SHSU, our member’s child received an email stating that SHSU was accepting her for admission.
You Can Help THSC Respond Quickly to Discriminatory Policies
Without the financial support of faithful donors, THSC could not advocate for families, homeschoolers, and homeschool graduates. Consider giving a generous donation today and support THSC’s mission: Keeping Texas Families Free.
The Problem
In April 2016, a THSC member called THSC about an issue her daughter had with admission at Sam Houston State University (SHSU).
Although her SAT scores were above the minimum score accepted by the university for regular students, SHSU told the member’s daughter that homeschoolers were required to have higher standardized test scores than their public school counterparts.
THSC’s Analysis
After reviewing the SHSU website, THSC learned that the university did have different admission standards for homeschool graduates compared to public school graduates. The website stated that there were separate standardized test score requirements for homeschool and public school graduates.
This discriminatory admission policy is a violation of Section 51.9241 of the Texas Education Code. During the 2015 legislative session, the THSC Watchmen addressed this common inequitable issue by working on and influencing the passing of Senate Bill 1543, known as the Equal College Opportunity Act.
The Equal College Opportunity Act was drafted and passed to end unfair practices against homeschool graduates in public Texas universities and colleges. It stopped schools from assigning by default a below-average class rank to homeschoolers thereby requiring them to score higher on SAT/ACT tests to compensate.
THSC’s Response
After calling SHSU’s office of admissions to verify the information, the policy department wrote a letter on behalf of the homeschool graduate similar to the one that THSC recently sent to Steven F. Austin University.
The letter informed the office of admissions at SHSU that their admission requirements were not aligned with the Texas Education Code and should be brought into compliance with Texas law. THSC urged the university to consider our member’s child for admission to SHSU.
SHSU Complies
THSC writes dozens of letters per year to government agencies or organizations just like SHSU. Fortunately, most problems are resolved with the first letter from THSC. The same goes for the situation with our homeschool graduate member and SHSU.
Within a month of THSC sending the initial letter to SHSU, our member’s child received an email stating that SHSU was accepting her for admission.
You Can Help THSC Respond Quickly to Discriminatory Policies
Without the financial support of faithful donors, THSC could not advocate for families, homeschoolers, and homeschool graduates. Consider giving a generous donation today and support THSC’s mission: Keeping Texas Families Free.
