Last October, THSC published an update detailing our persistent efforts to rectify discrimination against homeschool graduates applying for employment as Correctional Officers (COs) at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ).
To recap, THSC received a report in April 2025 that the TDCJ was refusing to accept homeschool diplomas and was denying employment to homeschool graduates solely on that basis.
The TDCJ was informing homeschool graduates that they would either need a GED or an “accredited” homeschool diploma, even though it is not possible for homeschools to be “accredited” in Texas. In doing so, the TDCJ was directly violating the written provisions of their own hiring policy, “Selection Criteria for Correctional Officer Applicants” (PD-73).
Since 2007, this policy has specified that homeschool graduates may fulfill the educational requirements for the CO position by submitting “a high school diploma or transcript based on home schooling accompanied by a signed affidavit in which the applicant affirms the completion of high school via home schooling.” There was no requirement in this provision for homeschoolers to provide an “accredited” diploma.
In fact, the quoted provision was added to PD-73 nearly 20 years ago, with THSC’s involvement, for the express purpose of resolving discrimination against homeschool graduates.
Throughout the spring and summer, THSC sent multiple letters to the TDCJ, followed up with phone calls, and submitted an Open Records Request, all in an attempt to confirm that the TDCJ would comply with their own hiring policy. However, THSC was repeatedly faced with nonresponsiveness and an unwillingness to discuss the issue.
Finally, as we reported in our last update from October 2025, THSC decided to escalate the issue by sending a letter directly to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice, which oversees the TDCJ.
At the same time, THSC sought a meeting with the Governor’s Office. A few days later, in mid-October, our Policy Team was able to have a productive conversation with the Governor’s advisors.
The Governor’s Office subsequently reached out to the Chairman of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice in order to ensure that THSC’s concerns were reviewed. Shortly after New Years, THSC received a letter addressing our concerns from the Executive Director of the TDCJ, Bobby Lumpkin, who had just assumed this role in September 2025.
Executive Director Lumpkin’s letter stated that a student from an unaccredited school (e.g., a homeschool) would qualify for employment as a Correctional Officer if they “meet TDCJ standards for attendance-based instruction and core academic credits aligned with Texas Education Agency (TEA) guidelines” and that “a notarized affidavit is also required in these cases.”
THSC then sought clarity as to how the TDCJ interprets “TEA guidelines” on homeschooling.
The TEA has stated that they “[do] not regulate, index, monitor, approve, register, or accredit the programs available to parents who choose to home school.”
Furthermore, at THSC’s request, every TEA Commissioner since 1994 has reissued a policy letter stating that homeschoolers are only required to complete a course of study that includes “reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics, and a study of good citizenship” in accordance with the Texas Supreme Court’s decision in Leeper v. Arlington ISD.
Based on established policy and precedent, THSC’s sought clarity from the TDCJ that a homeschool student wouldonly be required to meet the following two requirements:
- Submit a homeschool diploma/transcript showing graduation from their homeschool high school;
- Submit a notarized affidavit verifying that they completed a course of study that includes reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics, and a study of good citizenship.
A couple of weeks later, THSC received another response from Executive Director Lumpkin confirming that the TDCJ “[shares] the understanding as written regarding documentation for homeschool graduates seeking employment as correctional officers.”
The clarification from new Executive Director Lumpkin’s marked the resolution of THSC’s nearly year-long effort to reverse the TDCJ’s discriminatory practices against homeschool graduates and ensure compliance with long-established policy.
Going forward, it is now clearly documented that homeschool graduates must only provide the two items listed above (diploma/transcript and notarized affidavit) in order to meet the educational requirements for the Correctional Officer position.
THSC wishes to thank the Governor’s Office for their crucial assistance in this process. We also wish to thank Executive Director Lumpkin once again for taking action in his new position to restore the TDCJ’s compliance with policy.
This case is another example of how Keeping Texas Families Free requires constant vigilance and commitment. With your support, THSC will be able to continue this critical work to safeguard homeschool freedom for generations to come!
Last October, THSC published an update detailing our persistent efforts to rectify discrimination against homeschool graduates applying for employment as Correctional Officers (COs) at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ).
To recap, THSC received a report in April 2025 that the TDCJ was refusing to accept homeschool diplomas and was denying employment to homeschool graduates solely on that basis.
The TDCJ was informing homeschool graduates that they would either need a GED or an “accredited” homeschool diploma, even though it is not possible for homeschools to be “accredited” in Texas. In doing so, the TDCJ was directly violating the written provisions of their own hiring policy, “Selection Criteria for Correctional Officer Applicants” (PD-73).
Since 2007, this policy has specified that homeschool graduates may fulfill the educational requirements for the CO position by submitting “a high school diploma or transcript based on home schooling accompanied by a signed affidavit in which the applicant affirms the completion of high school via home schooling.” There was no requirement in this provision for homeschoolers to provide an “accredited” diploma.
In fact, the quoted provision was added to PD-73 nearly 20 years ago, with THSC’s involvement, for the express purpose of resolving discrimination against homeschool graduates.
Throughout the spring and summer, THSC sent multiple letters to the TDCJ, followed up with phone calls, and submitted an Open Records Request, all in an attempt to confirm that the TDCJ would comply with their own hiring policy. However, THSC was repeatedly faced with nonresponsiveness and an unwillingness to discuss the issue.
Finally, as we reported in our last update from October 2025, THSC decided to escalate the issue by sending a letter directly to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice, which oversees the TDCJ.
At the same time, THSC sought a meeting with the Governor’s Office. A few days later, in mid-October, our Policy Team was able to have a productive conversation with the Governor’s advisors.
The Governor’s Office subsequently reached out to the Chairman of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice in order to ensure that THSC’s concerns were reviewed. Shortly after New Years, THSC received a letter addressing our concerns from the Executive Director of the TDCJ, Bobby Lumpkin, who had just assumed this role in September 2025.
Executive Director Lumpkin’s letter stated that a student from an unaccredited school (e.g., a homeschool) would qualify for employment as a Correctional Officer if they “meet TDCJ standards for attendance-based instruction and core academic credits aligned with Texas Education Agency (TEA) guidelines” and that “a notarized affidavit is also required in these cases.”
THSC then sought clarity as to how the TDCJ interprets “TEA guidelines” on homeschooling.
The TEA has stated that they “[do] not regulate, index, monitor, approve, register, or accredit the programs available to parents who choose to home school.”
Furthermore, at THSC’s request, every TEA Commissioner since 1994 has reissued a policy letter stating that homeschoolers are only required to complete a course of study that includes “reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics, and a study of good citizenship” in accordance with the Texas Supreme Court’s decision in Leeper v. Arlington ISD.
Based on established policy and precedent, THSC’s sought clarity from the TDCJ that a homeschool student wouldonly be required to meet the following two requirements:
- Submit a homeschool diploma/transcript showing graduation from their homeschool high school;
- Submit a notarized affidavit verifying that they completed a course of study that includes reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics, and a study of good citizenship.
A couple of weeks later, THSC received another response from Executive Director Lumpkin confirming that the TDCJ “[shares] the understanding as written regarding documentation for homeschool graduates seeking employment as correctional officers.”
The clarification from new Executive Director Lumpkin’s marked the resolution of THSC’s nearly year-long effort to reverse the TDCJ’s discriminatory practices against homeschool graduates and ensure compliance with long-established policy.
Going forward, it is now clearly documented that homeschool graduates must only provide the two items listed above (diploma/transcript and notarized affidavit) in order to meet the educational requirements for the Correctional Officer position.
THSC wishes to thank the Governor’s Office for their crucial assistance in this process. We also wish to thank Executive Director Lumpkin once again for taking action in his new position to restore the TDCJ’s compliance with policy.
This case is another example of how Keeping Texas Families Free requires constant vigilance and commitment. With your support, THSC will be able to continue this critical work to safeguard homeschool freedom for generations to come!
