At the Homeschool Freedom Coalition, we are unwavering in our mission to protect the right to homeschool, both in Texas and nationwide. Headquartered in the Lone Star State, we’ve been advocating fiercely for homeschoolers in state capitals, ensuring families can educate their children free from government overreach.
Our Executive Director, Emily Fort, a sixth-generation Texan and lifelong homeschooler, has been sounding the alarm on Senate Bill 2 (SB2) and House Bill 3 (HB3), which threaten the very freedoms homeschoolers cherish. Now, with SB2’s passage, the stakes have never been higher.
SB2: A Devastating Blow to Homeschool Freedom
On April 17, 2025, the Texas House passed SB2 with an 86-61 vote, marking a historic and troubling victory for proponents of so-called “school choice.” This bill, which creates a $1 billion private school voucher program known as Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), allows families to access up to $10,000 per student in taxpayer funds for private school tuition or other educational expenses, including homeschooling. While marketed as a win for parental choice, SB2’s vague language and lack of protections open the door to increased government regulation of homeschooling—something homeschoolers have fought to avoid for decades.
For families who chose homeschooling to escape bureaucratic control, SB2 is a direct threat.
The bill’s structure could lead to scrutiny of homeschool ESA recipients, with the potential for mandatory standardized testing, curriculum restrictions, or even medical record requirements looming on the horizon. As we’ve seen in other states like Illinois, such regulations can erode the autonomy that defines homeschooling. Governor Greg Abbott has hailed SB2 as “the largest day-one school choice program in the nation,” vowing to sign it into law swiftly. With the bill now headed to a conference committee to reconcile House and Senate versions, the window to act is closing fast.
The Texas Homeschool Coalition’s Betrayal
When SB2 and HB3 were introduced, thousands of Texas homeschoolers raised immediate concerns. We looked to the Texas Homeschool Coalition (THSC), a well-funded organization with reported annual revenues of around $1 million, to defend our rights. A nonprofit of this size should have the clout to stop harmful legislation in its tracks.
Yet, to the dismay of many, THSC not only failed to oppose SB2 but actively endorsed it.
They sent emails praising the bill, backed candidates who support it, and provided political cover for legislators, allowing groups like the Texas Public Policy Institute to claim homeschoolers’ approval. This isn’t new – THSC’s support for problematic bills like the T-Bill years ago left many feeling betrayed.
Adding insult to injury, THSC recently touted Senate Joint Resolution 12 (SJR12) as a victory, claiming it “places protections directly into the Texas state constitution” to prohibit state regulation of homeschooling. But a closer look at SJR12 reveals a different story. The resolution merely restates existing rights, such as the ability to choose homeschooling, established by Leeper v. State of Texas.
It offers no concrete protections against future regulations – no safeguards against mandatory testing, curriculum mandates, or other intrusions.
THSC’s exaggerated claims appear to be a cover for their failure to fight for homeschoolers, banking on families not reading the resolution’s text or understanding its limitations.
A Double Betrayal
THSC’s actions constitute a double betrayal. First, they’ve failed to leverage their significant resources to stop SB2, despite collecting millions from Texas homeschoolers. Second, they’ve actively supported this harmful legislation, misleading families about its implications and SJR12’s supposed protections. This is either deliberate deception or gross incompetence – neither of which we can afford in this critical fight. As SB2 moves forward, grassroots homeschoolers are left to do the work THSC was paid to do, fighting tooth and nail to preserve our freedoms.
A Call to Action: Grassroots Power is Our Only Hope
With SB2 now passed by both chambers, the Homeschool Freedom Coalition is calling on every Texas homeschooler to act immediately. This is a grassroots crisis, and your voice is our greatest weapon.
Here’s what you can do.
Make It Clear: THSC does not speak for you, and SB2 threatens homeschooling freedom. Let those in your homeschool community and online community know. We urge you to encourage others to speak up in online settings, like reviews on Facebook and Google.
Raise Awareness: Share this blog post, our videos, and our email alerts with your homeschooling community. The more families who understand SB2’s risks, the stronger our collective resistance will be.
Stay Engaged: Sign up for our email alerts to stay informed about developments in the conference committee and beyond. Follow our page, like our posts, and leave your questions in the comments—we’re here to support you.
Redirect Your Support: If you’ve donated to THSC, consider redirecting your resources to organizations like the Homeschool Freedom Coalition, which are truly committed to defending homeschooling without compromise.
Why This Matters
Homeschooling is not just an educational choice; it’s a cornerstone of parental rights and individual liberty.
For families like Emily’s, who fought in court to legalize homeschooling, and for the countless Texas parents pouring their hearts into their children’s education, this fight is personal. We cannot allow well-funded organizations like THSC to mislead families or align with legislators at the expense of our freedoms.
The Homeschool Freedom Coalition stands with grassroots homeschoolers, not the “high-dollar fancy dinner crowd” making deals behind closed doors.
We’re in this for the long haul, and we need your resolve to keep Texas a beacon of educational freedom. SB2’s passage is a setback, but it’s not the end. Together, we can push back against regulations and protect homeschooling for generations to come.
Act Now
Help us directly in the fight by donating today.
Stay vigilant, stay united, and let’s keep Texas free.
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