Alabama does not recognize homeschooling as a separate legal option. Most homeschoolers in Alabama find "covering" or "umbrella" church schools which will oversee their homeschooling programs and answer to the state.
Parents are required to notify local school superintendent of intent to homeschool by filling out a Letter of Intent and signing a waiver before Aug. 15 or Dec. 15 each year. Parents withdrawing children from public school during the school year must wait 14 calendar days after filing LOI to begin homeschooling.
Connecticut's homeschool regulation is accomplished by a blending of legislation and state guidelines. The Legislation (CGS 10-184) is law, but is very general. The Guidelines (Circular Letter C-14) are more specific, but it's important to remember that the guidelines are not laws, only suggested procedures developed by the CT Dept. of Education. Two minor updates to the law were added in 1994. The Legislature revised CGS 10-184 in 1998 to lower the age of compulsory public school attendance from SEVEN to FIVE. However, parents may opt out of the attendance requirement until age seven by application to the schools. The Legislature revised CGS 10-184 in 2000 to raise the age of compulsory public school attendance from SIXTEEN to EIGHTEEN (not yet effective). However, parents may opt out of this attendance requirement by application to the schools, as well.
Homeschoolers must submit an annual declaration of intent to the local school superintendent. There are specific requirements for parent/teacher qualifications, subjects to be taught, school year, attendance, progress reports, and testing.
Illinois home schools are private schools as long as they comply with 26.1. This was established by the Illinois Supreme Court case People vs. Levison. In People vs. Levison, (1950) . Illinois laws (see documents below) pertain to all schools, including private schools, and provide for certain subjects to be taught. If contacted by state school officials, home schoolers may respond in different ways, including submitting a typed and signed letter stating simply that the children are receiving private education as required by Section 26-1 of the Illinois State Statutes. See "For further information" below to find out how Illinois homeschoolers deal with this issue.
Kansas compulsory attendance requirement can be satisfied at a public school or at a "private, denominational or parochial school" (which would include a homeschool) meeting certain basic statutory requirements ("competent instructor" and "substantially equivalent" period of time). The choice of the type of school their children attend is left to parents.
Maine homeschool law was changed on 5/16/03. The new Chapter to reference is Chapter 181. Under Chapter 181, parents who are homeschooling in 2003/2004 will file a Notice of Intent to Homeschool. The Notice of Intent to Homeschool must include the following information:
1. the name, signature and address of the student's parent or guardian 2. the name and age of the student 3. a statement of assurance that indicates the home instruction program will provide at least 175 days annually of instruction and will provide instruction in the following subject areas: English and language arts, math, science, social studies, physical education, health education,library skills, fine arts and, in at least one grade from grade 6 to 12, Maine studies. At one grade level from grade 7 - 12, the student will demonstrate proficiency in the use of computers; 4. A statement of assurance that indicates that the home instruction program will include an annual assessment of the student's academic progress that includes one of the approved methods of assessment (portfolio review, achievement test - a state certified teacher verifies that the child has made progress)
For children being educated at home by their parents, an exemption from the requirement to attend public school may exist either under the nonpublic school provision or the home education provision. The nonpublic school provision, 3(a) provides for teaching subjects comparable to those taught in the public schools and comes under the jurisdiction of the state Department of Education. The home education provision, 3 (f) provides for an organized educational program in the specified subject areas and comes under the jurisdiction of the local school district. In either case, there is no requirement to notify or seek approval of the state for the homeschool.
Any parent may educate a child at home. The parent does not have to have a teaching certificate or meet any education requirements. The law is permissive in the area of registering. The statute says the parent "may" notify the superintendent of schools or the recorder of county deeds in the county where the parents reside. This is to be done before September 1 annually, but is not mandatory.
Nevada law (NRS 392.070) provides for a waiver of the compulsory attendance laws if the parent or guardian provides written evidence to the local school district that their child will be receiving appropriate instruction at home. This written evidence should be prepared following the regulations set forth in NAC 392.015 - 392.075. The “Notification of Intent to Provide Home Instruction” form provided by NNHS [link below] meets these requirements when completed and turned into your school district office. You are not required by law to use any form; however, this intent form will simplify this process for you. [summary from NNHS website]
In 1985, amendments to Chapter 22 of New Mexico Statutes Annotated, (NMSA), 1978, provided a framework in which the right of parents to home school their children was recognized. On July, 1994, Senate Bill 202a, as enacted by the Legislature, and signed by Governor Bruce King, became effective. The Bill amended the definition of home school in Section 22-1-2 V, NMSA 1978, to read, "the operation by a parent, legal guardian or other person having custody of a school-age person who instructs a home study program that provides a basic academic educational program, including, but not limited, to reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies and science." The Bill also removed the requirement that a home school operator possess a baccalaureate degree or a waiver of the baccalaureate degree requirement by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The law was changed to require that a home school operator possess a high school diploma or its equivalent. The bill also amended the definition of private school to read, "a school offering (on-site) programs of instruction not under the control, supervision or management of a local school board, exclusive of home instruction offered by the parent, legal guardian or one having custody of the student."
CHAPTER 15-34.1 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE 15-34.1-00.1. Definitions. As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise: 1. "Home education" means an educational program for a child, based in the child's home and supervised by the child's parent or parents wherein a resident of North Dakota may legally fulfill the compulsory instruction requirements of section 15-34.1-01. 2.
15-34.1-01. Compulsory attendance. Every parent, guardian, or other person who resides within any school district, or who resides upon any government base or installation without any school district, and has control over any educable child of an age of seven years to sixteen years who does not fall under the provisions of section 15-34.1-02 or 15-34.1-03, shall send or take such child to a public school each year during the entire time such school is in session.
If your child is at least 7 years old as of September 1st you are required to send a one-time written notice of your intent to homeschool your child to the Education Service District (ESD) for your county. The notice must be given within 10 days after you withdraw the child from school, or within 10 days after the first day of school if you begin homeschooling during the summer or at the start of a school year. The notice must include: (a) the parent's name, (b) the child's name, address and birthdate, and (c) the name of the school the child last attended or the public school district where the child resides.
Homeschoolers are required to take an approved standardized test in grades 3, 5, 8 and 10. There are two exceptions: (a) If your child been diagnosed with a disability by a medical or other professional, your child's educational progress may be assessed according to the child's Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Privately Developed Plan (PDP). (b) If your child was in public or private school on or after February 15th during the prior school year, then your child does not need to test this year. (If your child was in school for 2nd grade on or after Feb. 15th, then they do not need to test until 5th grade.)
If your child's composite score on the standardized test is below the 15th percentile, then the child must be assessed again the following year. If this second composite score is the same or higher than the first score, then your child returns to the normal assessment schedule (grades 5, 8 and 10). If the second composite score is lower than the first score, then the child must be assessed again the following year, and the ESD superintendent may allow the parent to continue homeschooling as before, or may require the child's education to be supervised by a person holding a teaching license. If the composite score in the next year declines again, then the superintendent may allow the parent to continue homeschooling as before, or may require continued supervision and testing, or may remand the child to school for up to 12 months.
In South Carolina, there are 3 options for homeschooling.
The first is under the direction of local school districts. Homeschool students must be tested annually under this option, and the parent must have a degree.
The second option is to homeschool under the umbrella of the SC Association of Independent Home Schools (SCAIHS). SCAIHS requires annual membership fees and annual testing as well as curriculum review.
The third option provides homeschoolers the accountability they need through homeschool associations (not the same as a support group). There are many to choose from throughout the state. Under this option, annual testing is not required and all records are maintained by the parent. This option provides the most freedom and choices of all the homeschooling options.
A note about kindergarten - If your child turns 5 prior to Sept. 1st, you may go to your local school district and sign a form stating that you wish to waive kindergarten. That is all that is required legally until September 1st of the next year when your child turns 6. See the law Section 59-65-10.
The court case of Leeper v. Arlington ISD protected our right to homeschool by affirming that homeschools are private schools. Private schools are not regulated in Texas, as our state constitution (Article 7 Sec 2) only authorizes the legislature to establish and maintain public schools, not private or parochial schools. Parents are not required to file any papers or notify anyone that they are homeschooling their children in Texas. If the children are already enrolled in a public school, parents must withdraw the children from school so they will not be considered truant. They can tell the school's office that the children will be homeschooled or will be attending a private school. Parents have every legal right to homeschool without the approval of the school district.
Section 22.1-254 of the Code of Virginia provides options for home education which include the general home instruction statute used by most Virginia homeschoolers, as well as the Approved Tutor provision, and a Religious Exemption to compulsory schooling. Under the general provisions, homeschoolers must notify their county superintendent of their intent to homeschool annually. They also must provide a curriculum description and evidence that the parent either has a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution; or is a teacher of qualifications prescribed by the Board of Education; or has enrolled the child or children in a correspondence course approved by the Superintendent of Public Instruction; or provides a program of study or curriculum which, in the judgment of the division superintendent, includes the standards of learning objectives adopted by the Board of Education for language arts and mathematics and provides evidence that the parent is able to provide an adequate education for the child. Evidence of progress (such as independent assessment, standardized test scores or a portfolio review) must be submitted to the superintendent by August 1st.
On or before October 15, each administrator of a home-based private education program is asked to submit, on form PI-1206, provided by the Department of Public Instruction, a statement of the home school's enrollment as of the third Friday of September. Be aware that this is *not* a registration process, but merely an affidavit that attests that the criteria of s. 118.165 (listed below) has been met.
On this form you verify that the program of instruction is provided by the child's parent or guardian, or by a person designated by the parent or guardian, and meets the following criteria:
1. that the primary purpose of the program is to provide private or religious based education;
2. that the program is privately controlled;
3. provides a minimum of 875 hours of instruction each year;
4. provides a sequentially progressive curriculum of fundamental instruction in math, reading, language arts, social studies, science & health;
5. and that the program is not operated or instituted for the purpose of avoiding or circumventing the compulsory school attendance requirement.
The form recommends that records be maintained of student instruction time and course outlines to show a sequentially progressive curriculum. Please note, however, that there are currently no provisions in WI law for the disclosure of these records to any school district or state education entity. There are no testing requirements.
Alaska's compulsory attendance statutes do not apply if the child is " being educated in the child's home by a parent or legal guardian." [Sec. 14.30.010 (12)] This exemption to the Compulsory Education Law allows children to be homeschooled by a parent or guardian. No strings attached, no testing, no notification.
(1) private school independent study program, (2) establishment of a private school in one's own home, (3) public school independent study program, (4) charter school independent study program, and (5) tutoring by a credentialed teacher (parent or other).
Three options: 1. You may contact the Department of Education and request a Non-Public School Registration Form and create your own private school. You will be required to report annual enrollment and annual attendance of 180 days. 2. You may join an existing and registered private home education school. The umbrella school will report your child's enrollment and attendance to the DOE. Your family's homeschool will be under the supervision of the school and will be required to operate under their terms and conditions. 3. You may contact the Department of Education and request a Homeschool Under Supervision of Superintendent Registration Form. In addition to whatever requirements that the District Superintendent may place on your family's homeschool, you will be required to report annual enrollment and attendance to DOE.
Currently, homeschools are the same as private schools and non-public schools. Private schools are not required to test at this time. There is movement for change on both these issues.
Note: some of the DOE forms "require" information that is not required by Delaware law, so you might want to compare to the actual law before you give your child's gender, religion or grade.
Any parent may homeschool his or her child by filing a notice of intent with the principal of the local public school. The notice may be given on a department developed form OIS - 4140, or in a letter containing the required information. No approval is needed. The rules say that parents shall have "a written record of the planned curriculum" but this is not ordinarily shared with the school.
An annual progress report is required. You have a CHOICE of showing progress via: standardized test scores, an evaluation by a teacher certified in in the state of Hawaii, or a parent-written report providing statements of progress in each subject area and samples of the student's work.
Standardized test scores are normally required in grades 3, 6, 8, and 10. If test scores are submitted for the progress report that would satisfy the statewide testing requirement. The rules allow for alternatives to standardized testing: "Parents may request and principals may approve other means of evaluation..." In practice, this has meant that parents wishing to use other means of evaluation such as a portfolio may do so, but the exact alternative which the school will accept is to be negotiated with the principal. Testing can be done at the local school or at the parents expense.
The law requires that our children be in school from 7-17 years of age and that they attend school for 180 days each year. Standardized testing is recommended at the end of each school year, but it is not a requirement of the state. It is advisable to keep very accurate and complete records even though you are not required to tell school officials what curriculum you are using. Registration with the Indiana State Department of Education is not required by law, but it can be helpful if you are withdrawing a child from a public school. When registering with the state, you are only required to give your family name and the grade level of the child.
In Kentucky, home schools operate as private schools. As such, they are not subject to rigorous government regulations. Each school year, home schoolers simply send a letter of their intent to home school to their local public school district Director of Pupil Personnel stating the names, ages, and place of residence for each child in attendance at the home school. In addition, each home school must keep attendance records, regular scholarship reports, and school a minimum of 175 days per year (1050 hours). Approval from the public schools is NOT needed and standardized testing and/or filing of report cards is NOT required either.
If a family begins home schooling during the middle of a semester they are subject to certain other procedures listed in the Best Practices Document under the topics “The Role of the Director of Pupil Personnel” and “Best Practices Approach to Home School Verification”. (The Best Practices Document is a formal agreement between the state’s Directors of Pupil Personnel and the state’s home school community.)
Current regulations in Maryland provide flexibility for homeschoolers. To start, parents submit an Assurance of Consent form 15 days before taking their child out of the school system. The law requires that parents provide "regular and thorough instruction" but does not specify what that entails. Thus there are no requirements such as a set number of days per year or hours per day. There are basically three ways to demonstrate compliance with the regulations: submit a portfolio for review, register with an approved satellite program, or register with an umbrella program.
Parents wishing to homeschool their children annually report the names and birth dates of their children. If the parent does not have a baccalaureate degree, quarterly report cards must be submitted to the school superintendent. There is annual testing, with the method of administration mutually acceptable to both the parent and superintendent. Minnesota families are not required to provide test scores to superintendents. Parents must make available (not specified when or under what circumstances) documentation that required subjects are being taught.
Montana state law requires that homeschooling parents notify the county superintendent of schools annually of their intention to homeschool their children. (Note: the county superintendent is not the same as the school superintendent. The school superintendent is in charge of the public schools in the local school district. The county superintendent's office is typically in the county courthouse.) There is no mandated form required. Notification can be a phone call, letter, visit or provided form. Most superintendents have forms available, but their use is optional. A phone call is not recommended, since there should be some record available to prove your notification.
Technically, since compulsory attendance is not required after the age of 16, it is not necessary to continue to notify the county superintendent beyond that age. But, in order to demonstrate to educational institutions beyond high school, it is generally better to continue to be on record as homeschooling until graduation.
Beyond the above notification, state law allows the superintendent to request attendance records and proof of immunization. There are no requirements in Montana for any education official to request any other records relating to your homeschool (See 20-5-111 MCA).
Compulsory attendance age begins the year the child turns six by September 30th. To comply with the homeschooling statute in NH one must send a letter of intent, which describes the scope and sequence and materials of the education program within 30 days of the beginning of the program. This letter must include some information about the child and parent, such as name and address, but one need not provide a grade level.
A portfolio containing samples of the child's work must be maintained. And lastly, by July 1, some type of evaluation must be provided. Most homeschoolers choose portfolio evaluation, but the law says that "any mutually [between parent and administrator] agreed upon method" is acceptable.
Additionally NH has a dual enrollment statute which allows for homeschoolers to participate in curricular and co-curricular (but not extra-curricular) public school activities.
Homeschooling is regulated according to Section 100.10 of the Regulations of the New York State Commissioner of Education. These regulations require that parents file a notice of intent to home instruct, an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP), and four quarterly reports during the school year. At the end of each school year, parents must submit the results of an annual assessment on each child. In some grades, the regulations require standardized tests; in other grades, parents may substitute a narrative report as an alternative assessment.
Homeschoolers must file these documents with their local school districts. School districts do NOT have discretionary authority to "approve" or "disapprove" an IHIP. School districts must deem an IHIP to be in compliance as long as it provides for a plan of instruction in each of the required subjects for the required number of hours (900 hours for grades 1-6; 990 hours for grades 7-12). School districts do NOT have the authority to require homeschoolers to submit any information beyond that required by the Section 100.10 Regulations.
Homeschooling regulations are promulgated under the State of Ohio Administrative Code (OAC). Superintendents and Homeschoolers alike must abide by these regulations.
Homeschooling is an option to the compulsory attendance law; certain requirements are made of the family and the school district. Private tutoring is another option for satisfying compulsory school attendance requirements.
South Dakota state law regulates home schools under the alternative instruction statutes, SDCL 13-27. Each home school must apply for an exemption certificate from the school board in their district for children ages six through sixteen. (Kindergarten is not mandatory.) The school board is generally obligated to grant the request. Not less than 175 instruction days per academic year. Instruction in the basic skills of mathematics and language arts which leads to a mastery of the English language. Nationally standardized achievement tests required for grades 2, 4, 8, 11. No teacher certification required.
The Utah State Law [Section 53-A-11-102 (b) (ii)] states that a home educator is to:
1. Hold school 180 days a year, 4 1/2 hours a day for grades one and 5 1/2 hours a day for grades two through twelve. (This does not mean that the home education program should be patterned after a public school program, i.e. 5 1/2 hours sitting at a desk. A mixture of formal and informal learning activities work best for most home educators).
2. Teach the subjects prescribed by law. This is basically the Utah State Core Curriculum. It can be obtained from any school district, or the state Office of Education (250 E. 500 S., SLC).
3. Request an exemption from compulsory attendance from your local school district.
Compulsory attendance laws in the state of WA apply to children ages 8 to 18. To homeschool, parents must comply with one of four options:
1. Be supervised by a certificated person a minimum of one contact hour per week.
2. Have forty-five quarter college level credit hours or its equivalent in semester hours.
3. Complete a course in home-based instruction at a post secondary institution or vocational-technical institute.
4. Have the local school superintendent deem you sufficiently qualified.
Parents are required to:
1. File a Declaration of Intent at proper time.
2. Keep certain records to be forwarded to any other public or private school to which the child transfers.
3. Have the child take a standardized test annually (those approved by the State Board of Education and given by a qualified person) or have the child evaluated by a certificated person currently working within the field of education.
In Wyoming, a home-based educational program must meet the requirements of a basic academic educational program pursuant to W.S. 21-4-101 (a)(vi). A curriculum is submitted to the local board of trustees each year, showing a "basic academic educational program" that provides a sequentially progressive curriculum of fundamental instruction in certain required subjects, but no home-based educational program is required to include in its curriculum any concept or topic or practice in conflict with its religious doctrines.
File an affidavit of intent with the county school superintendent stating that the child is attending a regularly organized private school or is being provided with instruction in a home school.
Florida statutes provide three homeschooling options: (1) private school that offers a homeschooling option; (2) home education program as defined in the statutes by sending a Notice of Intent to their local school superintendent; (3) private tutor.
Parents are required to ensure that children are instructed in the subjects required by law, but not required to send the children to school if the children are "otherwise comparably instructed." Homeschooled students are considered "otherwise comparably instructed."
Homeschoolers have 4 options to legally homeschool in Iowa. The first option is to work with a supervising teacher; the parent must have 8 meetings, 4 of which must be face-to-face. The second option is testing your child at the end of every school year, by a certified teacher, and sending the results to the department of education; there is a specific group of tests that the state approves and testing can not be done by the parent. The third option is to create a portfolio every year; the parent finds a portfolio evaluator, who must be a certified teacher, and the parent must keep samples of the child's work, and a record of activities. At the end of the year, these are reviewed by the evaluator. The final option is the homeschool assistance program and only the larger school districts offer these programs; this option is also known as dual enrollment.
In Louisiana the options when deciding to homeschool include registering as a private school or pursuing state-approved home study. For state-approved home study, homeschoolers follow the guidelines of the Department of Education. To choose the private school option, parents register with the state of Louisiana as a private school by sending in an annual letter of intent indicating the number of children enrolled.
There is no statewide policy for homeschooling. Local school districts develop policies according to the guidelines set forth in two Supreme Judicial Court Cases, Charles and Brunelle, which list factors that school committees may consider when approving an education plan, but there is no one set of requirements. Any requirements for approval of the education plan must be "essential" ones. Various evaluation methods are possible.
The state has a minimal amount of regulation that families must follow to legally home school. A legitimate home instruction program is defined as one that is not "operated for the purpose of avoiding or circumventing the compulsory attendance law."
Home schools are considered private schools. Parents may educate their child at home by filing for an exemption from state requirements on the basis of either "sincerely held religious beliefs" (Rule 13) or because the requirements "interfere with decisions of the parents or legal guardians in directing their child's education." (Rule 12) Private schools are required to teach certain subjects and provide a certain length of term. Paper work must be filed by August 1 or thirty days prior to the start of homeschooling. Parents must submit reliable proof of the child's identity and age.
There is no statute that directly addresses homeschooling in New Jersey. The compulsory education law (N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25) requires parents of children between the ages of six and 16 to cause them "regularly to attend the public schools of the district or a day school in which there is given instruction equivalent to that provided in the public schools [...] or to receive equivalent instruction elsewhere than at school." Homeschooling falls under "elsewhere than at school." "Equivalent" was held, in State v. Massa (95 NJ Super 382; 1967), to mean academically equivalent only -- i.e., the same basic subject areas must be covered, but not necessarily in the same way as the schools cover them. School districts are not required or authorized to review curricula, test homeschooled children, or monitor their outcomes.
Parent(s)/guardian(s) are not required by law to notify their public school district of their intention to educate the child elsewhere than at school. Practice has varied over the years, with some families notifying every year, some notifying only the first year, and some never notifying. Notification is recommended, as a courtesy, when removing a child from public school to begin homeschooling.
Homeschooling is included under the existing private school law per a 1985 Supreme Court ruling and a 1988 statute. The Director, or his staff, of the Division of Nonpublic Education has been designated to be the representative who accepts application (Notice of Intent) to open a homeschool, and is authorized to inspect the results of national standardized testing annually. An attendance record and immunization record must be maintained.
Oklahoma Constitution Article XIII Section 4 Compulsory school attendance: The Legislature shall provide for the compulsory attendance at some public or other school,unless other means of education are provided, of all the children in the State who are sound in mind and body, between the ages of eight and sixteen years, for at least three months in each year. (Emphasis added.)
Legal requirements for homeschooling in Oklahoma consist of: Providing an education for children ages 5 to 18 that is in good faith and equivalent to that provided by the state for at least 175 days per year. [from HERO website--listed below]
At-home instruction is approved by the local school district. State law requires: attendance equal to that of public schools, the keeping of an attendance register, and specific subjects must be taught. Local school districts can require evaluation that accommodates the parent's preferences.
In Tennessee you have 4 options to legally school your children at home:
* with the Local Education Agency (school district) which requires minimal registration information, no support or resources, occasional testing and no diploma.
* with a Church-Related School (CRS) which operates as a partner providing a variety of services such as support, testing, curriculum, and extra-curricular activities depending on the school. * with a Category III school in their distance learning program. These schools must be accredited by AdvancED per the Tennessee State Board of Education's Category III definition.
* with a virtual school. This is NOT homeschooling but a form of PUBLIC schooling. More specific legal information can be found at http://TnHomeEd.com/HSLaw.html it's legal to start homeschooling at any point during the school year. If the local school district won't allow you to register with them your other option is to register with achurch-related schoolorCategory II school. You'll then transfer your child/ren to that new school.
Homeschoolers have to submit enrollment forms every year, including a progress assessment for the previous school year and a curriculum covering the minimum course of study required by law.
If you choose to enroll your child in the Vermont Home Study Program, you may complete your enrollment in several ways, depending on what works best with your homeschooling style. Many people are nervous that their enrollment may be rejected. It is important to realize that you are not sending in a request. You are sending in an enrollment notice. Your curriculum/assessment does not need anyone’s approval; it just needs to be complete. You need to make sure you include everything required by law. Your curriculum does not need to coincide with that of your local public school, nor do you need to mention grade levels.
If a child is being enrolled for the first time and has not attended a VT public school in the past, evidence needs to be submitted on whether or not the child is handicapped. If you intend to homeschool a handicapped child you have to show how you will provide the special services/adaptations.
West Virginia Code §18-8-1 allows for home instruction so long as the parent(s) give the county board of education: [1] notice of intent to provide home instruction at least two weeks prior to withdrawing child from public school, and [2] evidence that instructor(s) have at least the equivalent of a high school diploma.
