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How Free Are We to Home School in Texas?

The history of home schooling in Texas has changed significantly over the years, from a state where home schooling was illegal, to a state with the most freedom in the U.S. to home school.

Watch the THSC video "How Free?" and see a comparison between the freedoms we enjoy in Texas and the freedoms and requirements of home schooling in other states.



Become a member of THSC Association or make a tax-deductible contribution now and you will play an important part in protecting home schooling freedoms in this state.

Join us. We're keeping it free in Texas!

Ten Days of Accidental Unschooling

~ Heather, Sprittibee.com

Unschooling sounds like a really anti-schoolish word. I used to completely dismiss it. I thought that unschool families were completely child-led; that the parents had nothing to do with their child's education besides just keeping them fed and safe. I assumed the child only did "what they wanted" all day long without any parental supervision or direction.

It wasn't until I met unschoolers online, talked to "relaxed homeschoolers" who consider themselves "quasi-unschoolers," that I began to see unschooling as more of a viable educational direction. At least I didn't turn my nose up to it as much. Even then, though, I would never have chosen unschooling without God placing me in a position to default to it.

Read the rest of Sprittibee's blog.

Around the Web

Free Home School Curriculum and Resources

Make a Dry Ice Bubble

Free Online Preschool Games

Helping Adoptive Families Home School

THSC recently sent a letter to Waco CPS, assisting a family from THSC Association. This member family was in the process of adopting a special needs child. Even though the family had plans to home school once the adoption was final, CPS was requiring them to send this young girl to public school where the family felt her physical needs were not being met. Tim wrote a letter in support of a waiver that would allow the family to school this child at home pre-adoption.

Read the letter.

Learn. Lobby. Lead.

2013 Capitol Days

THSC Capitol Days 2013 is the ultimate hands-on field trip designed to teach students the importance of political participation. Join home schoolers from around the state in Austin February 27, April 3, and May 2 and be a part of the political process - literally.

Join us for one day or all three; Capitol Days won't return until 2015, so don't miss this field trip.

Reserve your seat today!  Space is limited.

Events Around Texas

February 27, April 3, May 2 - THSC Capitol Days
April 8 - Houston Children's Museum
March 20 - Bob Bullock Museum
April 20 - Texas State Home School Track and Field Championships

Patrick Henry Scholarship

THSC is pleased to continue offering scholarships of $1,000-$3,000 for Texas home schoolers who plan to attend Patrick Henry College as freshmen in the fall. Please go to our website to view the application. Applications are to be postmarked by today, February 5.

Feel free to call George Clay at 540-338-8777 if you have specific questions.

THSC Resources and Member Benefits

THSC REVIEW Magazine

Check out the electronic version of the THSC REVIEW Magazine.
Sign up for our free print edition of the THSC REVIEW.

This magazine has encouraging articles written by those who have been there/done that to help you in this great adventure of home schooling!

Free Admission

Early-Bird Convention registration is open.

Before registering, Join/Renew your THSC membership and receive free admission to Convention for you and your spouse as a benefit of membership with THSC.

Join Today!

A Merry Heart Doeth Good
Eternal Perspective

~Esther Irish, laughwithusblog.com

Oh the day to day with my kids can be overwhelming sometimes. Often I feel like a failure in so many ways. Right now I am dealing with outbursts of anger that shock me at times. It is easy to get discouraged if (when) I dwell on these things. But there are so many other things to focus on, like all the fun and laughter they bring.

This last week my kids encouraged me by their eternal perspective. One of the girls was trying so hard to memorize her Classical Conversation memory work, but was really struggling. When she finally got it she was so excited and said, "Maybe God did that for me!"

The next day I was dealing with some unpleasant parenting issues when Little Jason came running up and interrupted. I put him off a couple of times, but he was so insistent that I finally stopped and looked at him. He took a deep breath like what he was going to say was very important and said, "I have to tell you something. I was almost fall-ed down the stairs but, God saved me!"

Oh I just had to hug him. We stopped what we were doing and thanked God for saving him from falling down the stairs. And I thanked God for this glimpse of something more going on in their little minds besides what is causing those outbursts of anger.

Do you have a funny, home school-related anecdote you'd like to share? We'd love to publish it
(limit 750 characters)! Please include your name and where you live, then Tell Us YOUR Story.

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all."

Mark 9:35

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The articles in this newsletter reflect the freedom of home educators in Texas to choose from a wide variety of home school philosophies and teaching methods. Opinions and attitudes expressed in articles do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of the Texas Home School Coalition. THSC does not endorse or advocate any one method or philosophy. The board encourages each home educator to seek God's will in determining what is best for him, his school, and his students.

Publication of advertisements does not signify endorsement of items or services offered.