The Texas Home School Coalition was established as a political action committee (PAC) in 1986 by Kirk McCord of Hearth and Home Ministries and the late Brad Chamberlain. Because of the numerous lawsuits against homeschoolers across the state and harmful legislation being introduced in Austin, they saw a need for a statewide political organization to work for the rights of homeschoolers in the state of Texas. The founders, believing government restriction could not be justified academically or socially, formed the THSC PAC to oppose any regulation of home education in Texas.
In 1990, Tim Lambert took the helm as THSC’s Chairman of the Board and Executive Director. In 1995 THSC incorporated as an educational non-profit organization because most of THSC’s work is dealing with disseminating information to the public and to home educators. Its mission is to encourage, equip, and advocate for families in their home education journey. THSC maintaining that participation in the political arena is vital to maintaining the freedoms of homeschoolers and continues to encourage home educators to be active in the political process.
In February of 1998, HOPE for Texas merged with the Texas Home School Coalition. At this point, THSC also became responsible for helping new homeschoolers across the state as well as maintaining a network of information and communication between and among the leadership of regional home school organizations, local support groups, and individual homeschooling families.
In 2000 the Texas Home School Coalition Association incorporated as a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization for Texas home school families. Its mission is to serve and protect home school families in Texas.
Since then, homeschooling in Texas has consistently grown and studies show that homeschool students as a whole excel both academically and socially. In 2021, the number of households homeschooling in the state rose to an estimated 12%.
SUPPORT:
The Texas Home School Coalition is supported by the contributions of individuals and families. The Coalition is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3)organization, and under IRS rules, contributions are tax-deductible.
The Texas Home School Coalition (THSC) Association is supported by the sale of its resources and by membership fees.
THSC PAC is supported by donations of individuals and families who are advocates for home education. These donations are not tax-deductible.