Homeschool benefits: Austin Independent School District
Austin Independent School District offers special-education evaluation referrals for homeschooled students in K-12, including suspected dyslexia. Eligible students can access some services through Proportionate Share while remaining homeschooled.
Who qualifies
Homeschools within district jurisdiction
Austin Independent School District (ISD) identifies and evaluates children with suspected disabilities within its jurisdiction. The district explicitly provides an intake route for private and homeschooled students.
Has a suspected disability
A parent, guardian or community agency can request evaluation when a disability is suspected. Eligibility requires a disability in one of 13 recognized categories and a need for specially designed instruction.
Gives consent for evaluation
Your consent allows assessment in all suspected disability areas. Evaluation alone does not automatically guarantee services.
What the service provides
Austin ISD describes its evaluation process and Proportionate Share support on its Child Find page.
- Homeschool intake
- Centralized non-enrolled student referral form
- Evaluation scope
- All areas of suspected disability
- Assessment language
- Your child's native language or communication mode
- Proportionate Share
- A portion of eligible special-education services
How to request support
- When you suspect a disability
Submit the referral
Complete the Austin ISD Evaluation Request Form for Non-Enrolled Students.
- Before testing
Give parental consent
The district does not evaluate your child without consent.
- After evaluation
Review eligibility
The Admission, Review, Dismissal committee reviews evaluation information and the need for specialized instruction.
- If you keep homeschooling
Ask about available services
Contact the Proportionate Share team about services your child can get while learning at home.
What it includes
Included
- Disability evaluation
- Dyslexia evaluation
- Proportionate Share services
Good to know
Homeschooled children can request an evaluation
The district directs private and homeschool families to its centralized non-enrolled student intake form.
Who to contact
Child Find answers evaluation questions, and the Proportionate Share team answers homeschool service questions.
propshare@austinisd.org 512-414-7733 Evaluation contacts and referral form
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Texas
You do not have to file a homeschool notice to the state.
Texas sets these rules:
- Subjects: Instruction in Texas must include reading, spelling, grammar, math, and good citizenship.
- Testing: No routine annual homeschool standardized test is required. UIL participation and public-school transfer can have separate testing requirements.
- Records: Texas does not require homeschool records, but keeping them is recommended.
- Teachers: Texas does not require homeschool parents to hold a teaching certificate.
Texas also has an education savings account that home-educated students can use.
- The Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) awards $2,000 a year to selected home-education students for approved expenses. Applications for 2026-27 closed March 31, 2026; families who missed that cycle can join the 2027-28 interest list.
Read the Texas homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Texas
Questions parents ask
- Can we continue homeschooling after an Austin ISD evaluation?
- Yes. Austin ISD describes Proportionate Share as access to a portion of services while your child continues in homeschool or private school.
- Does a referral guarantee special-education services?
- No. A full evaluation and eligibility review must establish both a qualifying disability and a need for specialized instruction.
- Can I request testing for dyslexia?
- Yes. The homeschool referral route covers dyslexia and other suspected disabilities.
- Who answers questions about services rather than testing?
- The Proportionate Share team, at propshare@austinisd.org or Dalan.Gore@austinisd.org. Amanda.m.reyes@austinisd.org handles private and homeschool evaluation questions.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
Put eligible education funds toward a curriculum that teaches the courses and grades the work. Check the program’s purchasing rules before paying.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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