Texas Compulsory Education Laws
Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed June 20, 2016
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Every state requires children of a certain age to obtain a formal education, whether it's from public school, private school, home school, or another institution. Texas compulsory education laws require kids between the ages of six and eighteen (younger with a high school diploma) to attend school. There are exceptions to these regulations, including enrollment in a Texas Academy of Leadership program, being expelled from school, and having a serious disability that makes school enrollment infeasible.
Learn more about Texas compulsory education laws in the table below. You can also check out FindLaw's Compulsory Education section and the links following this article for more information and resources.
Code Section |
Texas Education Code Chapter 25: Admission, Transfer and Attendance |
Age at Which School Attendance is Required |
Unless an exception applies, students between ages six and eighteen are required to attend school in Texas. |
Exceptions to Attendance Requirements |
A student may be exempt from the compulsory education requirements for the following reasons:
|
Home School Provisions |
Student must be taught in legitimate manner from curriculum designed to meet basic education goals. |
Penalties on Parents for Noncompliance |
Parents will receive a written warning if their child has a certain number of unexcused absences. Parents who fail to comply with the compulsory education laws may face criminal charges for a Class C misdemeanor. |
If you are the parent of school-aged child in Texas and you have additional questions about the compulsory education laws, you may want to contact a Texas education attorney.
Research the Law
- Texas Law
- Official State Codes - Links to the official online statutes (laws) in all 50 states and DC.
Texas Compulsory Education Laws: Related Resources
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