R.F.
M.,
I've gone through this three times (and lived to tell the tale!!) already. Yes, your daughter can get a permit when she is 15. Yes, she does have to take an official course. Now that course can be "Parent Taught" -- information for this is available on the Texas Department of Public Safety's website -- or you can enroll her in a Driver's Ed course taught by several different driving schools. My youngest is almost 19 and the last time I paid for a professional course, it was around $350.00. With each course, there is classroom time requirements and behind-the-wheel time requirements (also known as drive time). It's been so long that I simply can not remember the exact amount of time for each. I do remember my kids getting their permit within 1-3 days of beginning the course. I'm a HUGE advocate of kids getting their permit when they turn 15 as it gives them a whole year to "practice" before they are able to be turned loose with a car. Now, I understand some regulations have changed since my kids were that age. Any driving school can give you all the details -- regardless of whether you enroll in their course. The VOE is simply a form that she would request from her school. It just verifies that she is enrolled in school. (If a young person is not enrolled in school, they can not get their license prior to age 18). The form is an enrollment verification. Her absences will have no bearing on her enrollment status. Now, her good grades will help you with an insurance discount. (Small; but, anything helps with insuring young drivers!).
I hope this answers some of your questions. For more complete information, I would suggest you call one of the driving schools listed in the Yellow Pages and review the TX Dept of Public Safety's website.
Good Luck,
R. F.