UIL Sets Sept. 1 School Board “Opt Out” Homeschool Student Participation Deadline

ISD and charter boards have until Sept. 1, 2025, to vote to opt out of allowing homeschool students to participate in their districts’ UIL activities.

That’s the date set today (July 8, 2025) by the league in implementing the new law (SB401) addressing homeschool student participation in public schools.

Opt Out

The law requires schools to allow homeschooled students residing in their school districts the opportunity to participate in their schools’ UIL activities unless their school boards vote to opt the district out of the requirement by the deadline date set by the UIL.

• Note: This is a change from the prior law that allowed homeschooled students to participate in league activities for a public school only if the school district’s board formally voted to opt in their district to allowing homeschool UIL student participation.
  
  For SY 2024-25, 44 ISDs and charters allowed homeschoolers to participate in league activities (article).

Another Change

Another change contained in the new law allows homeschool students to participate in UIL activities at the school closest to the student’s residential address that allows homeschool participation, if the school to which they are zoned opts out of homeschool participation.

The league additionally announced that the opt-out deadline will be August 1 for future school years, beginning with SY 2026-27.

$1,500 Allotment

A TEA rule provides for an annual allotment of $1,500 for each UIL activity in which a homeschool student participates.

The league is posting updated info here.