New Mexico vs Texas: Homeschool Laws Compared

New Mexico is the more regulated of the two: it requires notice but no testing or evaluation, while Texas requires no notice to homeschool. They differ on 5 of the 9 rules compared: notice of intent, hours or days per year, required subjects, compulsory school ages, and ESA funding.

Rules compared

9

Differences

5

Same in both

4

The rules, side by side

Rows where the two states differ are marked. Tap a state name for its full guide, deadlines, and sources.

Figures are the same verified compliance data shown on each state's page. Requirements change; confirm with your state before you rely on one.

Moving from New Mexico to Texas

Once you are a Texas resident you homeschool under Texas's rules. These are the ones that change.

1. There is no notice to file in Texas. Before you leave, send New Mexico's district a short withdrawal note so its attendance record closes.
2. Texas sets no hour or day minimum. Keep the log anyway; it is what you show if anyone asks, and what you build a transcript from.
3. Texas's required list adds spelling, grammar, and good citizenship and drops language arts, social studies, and science compared with New Mexico's. Match Texas's wording in your records.
4. Compulsory school ages are 6-19 in Texas against 5-18 in New Mexico, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.
5. Texas runs Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA). Check whether your family qualifies; New Mexico had no comparable program.

Moving from Texas to New Mexico

Once you are a New Mexico resident you homeschool under New Mexico's rules. These are the ones that change.

1. File a notice of intent with the state education department once you are a New Mexico resident. Texas did not ask for one, so this is new paperwork.
2. Start logging from your first day: New Mexico counts 990 hours (1,080 for grades 7-12) over 180 days a year, and Texas set no minimum.
3. New Mexico's required list adds language arts, social studies, and science and drops spelling, grammar, and good citizenship compared with Texas's. Match New Mexico's wording in your records.
4. Compulsory school ages are 5-18 in New Mexico against 6-19 in Texas, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.
5. New Mexico has no ESA program. Texas's Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) is for Texas residents, so budget without it.

What stays the same

New Mexico and Texas match on testing or evaluation, the portfolio, progress reports, and public school sports access. Your habits on those carry over unchanged.

Do your records transfer?

Neither New Mexico nor Texas takes homeschool records from another state, and there is no transfer process between them. You keep your own: the hours or attendance log, work samples, and any grades or transcripts. Those are what the new state, and later a college, may ask to see. Homeschool Fox keeps them in one account that moves with your family.

Keep comparing

• Arizona vs New Mexico 6 rules differ
• Arizona vs Texas 4 rules differ
• Arkansas vs Texas 3 rules differ
• California vs Texas 6 rules differ
• Colorado vs New Mexico 5 rules differ
• Colorado vs Texas 6 rules differ
• Florida vs Texas 6 rules differ
• Georgia vs Texas 5 rules differ
• Louisiana vs Texas 5 rules differ
• New Mexico vs Oklahoma 3 rules differ
• New Mexico vs Utah 5 rules differ
• New York vs Texas 7 rules differ
• Tennessee vs Texas 4 rules differ
• Texas vs Washington 6 rules differ
• States That Require a Homeschool Notice of Intent All 36 states in one table
• States With Homeschool Hour and Day Requirements All 21 states in one table
• Required Homeschool Subjects by State All 34 states in one table