Stephen Howsley, Author at Texas Home School Coalition

About Stephen Howsley

Stephen has been working for Texas Home School Coalition since 2015 as a writer, public policy analyst and lobbyist. A homeschool graduate himself, Stephen passionately believes in defending families’ rights to homeschool. He credits his leadership skills, character development and determination to 10 years spent with the Boy Scouts of America, where he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Stephen and his beautiful wife, Emma, live in Austin with their two Labrador Retrievers. In their free time, they love discovering new restaurants and coffee shops and exploring the great outdoors. They worship and serve at The Austin Stone Community Church in downtown Austin.

2016 General Election Results

By Stephen Howsley|2023-05-03T16:57:34-05:00November 9th, 2016|Legislative Advocacy|

As November 9th dawns, such an absolutely incredible and historic election is imprinted in the memory of Americans. For weeks to come, the media and political pollsters will rehash how Donald Trump managed to win a race that most predicted Hillary Clinton would sweep.

In what’s being called a "stunning upset," the Republican party now controls the House, Senate, and Presidency, something it hasn’t done since 1929 except for under President George W. Bush in 2003-2006.

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Are you thinking about not voting? 3 reasons to vote…

By Stephen Howsley|2023-06-07T15:39:13-05:00October 24th, 2016|Homeschool, Legal Advocacy, Legislative Advocacy|

The United States is changing. The country we live in today is not the same one our parents lived in 30 or 40 years ago. Politics in the U.S. has become so partisan and polarizing that values and platforms have been almost entirely overshadowed by emotions. This election cycle has left many people wondering how they can make a difference or whether it is even worth voting.

Chassidie Russell: Have You Heard Chassidie’s Story? You’ll Be Stunned

By Stephen Howsley|2019-08-15T11:46:52-05:00October 11th, 2016|Legal Advocacy, Legislative Advocacy|

“They came here and just took her ... She didn’t get to say goodbye; she didn’t get to see me for months.”

Although this sounds like a kidnapping, it’s not. Chassidie Russell’s daughter was taken by a Texas Family Court Judge. She spent three years living with estranged in-laws even though Russell was never accused of being neglectful or abusive.

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UIL Access: Should It Be a Governmental or Parental Decision?

By Stephen Howsley|2019-08-15T11:46:59-05:00September 21st, 2016|Legal Advocacy, Legislative Advocacy|

The University Interscholastic League (UIL) is a quasi governmental body established by the legislature through The University of Texas at Austin. It was organized to provide leadership and guidance to public school debate and athletic teachers and its governing body is made up of public school superintendents.

When founded in 1913, UIL originally allowed participation to all Texas students; however, it changed its policy in 1915 to exclude home school and minority participation.

Courts vs Parental Authority: Who Decides What’s Best for a Child?

By Stephen Howsley|2019-08-15T11:47:08-05:00September 15th, 2016|Legal Advocacy, Legislative Advocacy|

One of the most gruesome fights for parental rights in today’s courts is right in the middle of the family unit: the fight for custody or possession of a child. With home schooling increasing in popularity and THSC’s focus broadening to include fighting for parental rights, THSC has noticed an increase in child custody and possession issues as they relate to home schooling.

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CPS Dishonesty: Judge Orders Caseworkers to Read Texas Constitution

By Stephen Howsley|2019-08-15T11:47:15-05:00September 13th, 2016|Legal Advocacy, Legislative Advocacy|

THSC-endorsed Judge John Schmude of the 247th Family District Court in Harris County, Texas, issued a ruling that will likely cause Child Protective Services (CPS) in that county—if not statewide—to act more ethically.

Courts Are Investigating Texas Homeschool Families

By Stephen Howsley|2023-06-07T15:43:32-05:00August 30th, 2016|Legal Advocacy, Legislative Advocacy|

Currently, there are multiple issues with the CPS system that are destroying Texas families by the forced removal of children from fit parents. One of the most obvious problems with the CPS system is the non-attendance clause of the family code. This section of the Texas Family Code poses significant threats to home schooling families.

How Texas Is Limiting Opportunity for Your Children

By Stephen Howsley|2019-08-15T11:38:30-05:00August 4th, 2016|Legislative Advocacy|

In the State of Texas, paying your state property taxes does not necessarily guarantee you any rights. This is especially true for Texas home school families in regards to the University Interscholastic League’s (UIL) current policy for home school student access. The UIL currently does not allow home school students any access to their sanctioned extracurricular activities, even if the parents are paying their property taxes and are home schooling in a legal matter.

Stopping Truancy Charges Against Homeschool Families

By Stephen Howsley|2023-06-23T16:19:09-05:00July 26th, 2016|Legal Advocacy, Legislative Advocacy|

Late last April, THSC member Jennifer Darnell reached out to us because the local school district was pressing truancy charges against Jennifer and her daughter, Kathryn Payne. Even though Jennifer had already withdrawn her daughter from public school via the proper paperwork, the school was still pressing charges for missed days of school due to medical issues. Despite the many times in the past where the school allowed Kathryn’s absences for the exact same medical issue, once she chose to home school, the district pressed charges for truancy.

Can You Believe That CPS Laws Allow This?

By Stephen Howsley|2023-06-08T14:35:53-05:00July 5th, 2016|Legal Advocacy, Legislative Advocacy|

It all started with complaints about a wandering child. A Child Protective Services (CPS) agent responded by investigating only to find that there was no issue.

However without warning, CPS soon after entered Christina Tutt’s home and seized her seven biological, adopted, and foster children without an explanation. Little did Christina know that three years later she would still be in court fighting alongside THSC for her parental rights, with the hopes of bringing the last of her seven children back home. This case has been described by family law attorney Cecilia Wood as the most egregious case she has ever seen in almost 30 years of family law practice.