01. General
I acknowledge that in order to homeschool legally in Texas, I must provide:
- Bona fide instruction;
- With a visual curriculum;
- That includes the basic subjects of reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics, and good citizenship for my student(s).
I understand and accept regarding Membership that
- Membership Fees are non-refundable, auto-renewing, and not tax-deductible.
- I agree to contact THSC no later than 14 days after an auto-renewal charge to my card if requesting a refund. I understand that all of my auto-renewal membership charges are non-refundable after the generous 14 day auto-renewal refund period.
- If I choose to dispute the charge with my bank rather than cancel through THSC, I acknowledge that THSC will issue a $25 dispute/handling fee.
- Some membership benefits may not be available to residents outside of Texas.
- In the event of a division of property between spouses, membership will remain in the name of the primary member.
- Membership should be in the name of a parent or legal guardian (the person standing in parental authority).
- Children covered under the membership are the biological or adoptive children of the parent or guardian or any children for whom the parent or guardian has been granted legal custody by a court.
- Legal representation provided by THSC does not apply to pre-existing conditions where the facts under dispute arose prior to THSC membership.
I understand and accept the following; THSC Serves all Texas homeschool families regardless of race, creed, or religion. THSC Reserves the right to reject any membership application and will refund membership fee upon denial of membership. THSC. Reserves the right to revoke any membership if application information has been misrepresented. In such cases, no refund of membership fee will be made.
02. Legal Representation and Professional Advocacy
a. Definitions
Legal Representation: Legal Representation is defined as a decision by THSC to retain an attorney on behalf of a member for the purposes of defending certain legal rights of that member.
Professional Advocacy: Professional advocacy is defined as a decision by THSC to engage in direct communication, not including legal representation, with an individual or entity on behalf of a member family for the purpose of educating that individual or entity on the details of homeschooling in Texas and advocating for fair treatment of that member.
b. General Exclusions and Limitations
As part of our services to THSC member families and to advance the rights of homeschooling families generally, THSC often provides legal representation to and professional advocacy on behalf of THSC member families.
However, THSC membership is not legal insurance. All legal representation and professional advocacy is done at the direction of THSC’s board of directors with a focus on advancing the organization’s mission, not simply the private interests of THSC member families. The following guidelines are relevant to the selection of matters for which THSC will consider providing assistance, however such decisions are ultimately reserved for the sole discretion of THSC.
Legal representation provided by THSC does not apply to pre-existing conditions where the facts under dispute arose prior to THSC membership.
At THSC’s sole discretion, THSC may choose to offer legal representation to a family with a pre-existing condition not covered by membership. Such legal representation for a pre-existing condition is fully within THSC’s discretion to provide or not provide and the offering of limited representation shall not be construed as the acceptance of an obligation by THSC to continue providing such representation for the pre-existing condition.
By signing this agreement, you agree to be honest and truthful in all communications with THSC, to disclose and provide all relevant facts and documents in a timely manner that are related to your request for legal representation or professional advocacy, and to fully and timely cooperate with any request by THSC which THSC has deemed necessary for effective legal representation or professional advocacy on your behalf.
Legal representation and professional advocacy are conducted in English and do not include translation services.
Legal representation and professional advocacy are provided only for covered disputes arising under the laws and within the geographic boundaries of the State of Texas.
We reserve the right to conduct a preliminary investigation prior to initiating legal representation or engaging in professional advocacy. We reserve the right to decline or terminate legal representation or professional advocacy for any reason including, if in our sole and absolute discretion, we believe that actual abuse, neglect, or other misconduct has occurred or is occurring, or that a conflict of interest exists, or that the parent has engaged in conduct that is morally reprehensible and damaging to the child or that violates a sincerely held religious belief of THSC, such that we cannot in good conscience provide legal representation or professional advocacy services on behalf of the member family.
Legal representation and professional advocacy are not provided in response to legal issues or disputes arising directly or indirectly from a report made by a biological, step, or legal parent or guardian of the child.
Legal representation and professional advocacy on issues related to homeschooling are conditioned upon the parent’s verification that they are homeschooling in compliance with Texas law.
c. Professional Advocacy.
Scope of Advocacy. For certain homeschool-related disputes, THSC will engage in professional advocacy on behalf of its members in order to resolve disagreements between the member family and third-party entities regarding the status or legitimacy of the member family’s homeschool education for their children.
THSC will work to the best of our ability to resolve these disputes favorably for the member family. While THSC has an extremely high resolution rate for these disputes, some disputes may not be resolvable, particularly if the law or policy on the subject is unclear. THSC will pursue methods for resolution that, in our sole judgment, are ethical and likely to succeed.
THSC is not obligated to provide legal representation for these disputes and does not guarantee legal representation for these disputes, although on rare occasions we may recommend and provide such representation if, in our sole judgment, it is an ethical and effective solution that is likely to produce a favorable result and may serve to benefit other homeschool families and further the success of THSC’s mission.
d. Legal Representation
Scope of Legal Representation; Not an Insurance Company. THSC does not provide insurance coverage. We do not guarantee representation in every case. The extent of legal coverage for THSC members is subject to the limitations below.
- Homeschooling Issues
THSC engages in professional advocacy on behalf of members involved in certain homeschooling-related disputes as described by Section 2c. THSC has an extremely high rate of resolution for these disputes. On very rare occasions, a homeschooling-related dispute may arise which is not resolved by professional advocacy. On such occasions, THSC may recommend and provide such representation if, in our sole judgment, it is an ethical and effective solution that is likely to produce a favorable result and may serve to benefit other homeschool families and further the success of THSC’s mission.
- CPS Investigations
Legal protection through THSC includes representation during, in response to, and for the purpose of resolving an active CPS investigation and does not include legal representation in any legal action filed by CPS in a court of law or any other action taken by CPS related to the THSC member family.
- Child Custody, Access, and Possession Disputes
In a child custody dispute other than a CPS case, THSC does not provide legal representation. THSC:
- Will provide a single, expert legal consultation with the family or the family’s attorney regarding the homeschooling element of the case; and
- Is not required to provide any other form of legal assistance in the case.
