TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – Lawmakers in Texas have implemented modifications affecting the involvement of homeschooled students in University Interscholastic League events.
Approximately 750,000 students in Texas are being homeschooled. This figure has increased considerably since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Many parents often ask about the opportunity to engage in sports and other after-school activities.
The earlier legislation provided school districts with the choice to participate in enabling home-schooled students to join events like sports and drama.
The existing legislation, SB410, requires school districts to allow homeschooling participation unless the school board chooses to exclude it.
Although this represents a change in the law, Tyler ISD has previously observed homeschool involvement in earlier years, and intends to maintain the current approach. Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford states that this will not affect anything for their students.
“We are familiar with these families and these children, and if this is something they wish to pursue, they are welcome to give it a shot,” said Crawford.
The district states that although they qualify, it implies they must vie for a position, similar to students from Tyler ISD.
Even though we have made this available, it doesn’t guarantee that it will be an easy agreement for someone to join. They still need to vie for those roles.
Other school districts in East Texas, including Longview ISD, Nacogdoches ISD, and Lufkin ISD, will not allow homeschoolers to take part in their UIL events during the upcoming academic year.
The deadline for schools to decline participation in 2025 is September 1, 2025.
If your school does not choose to opt out for the upcoming school year, but later decides to do so for the 2026-2027 academic year, the adjustment needs to be completed by August 1, 2026.
