| State |
Legal Option |
Attendance |
Subjects |
Qualifications |
Notice |
Record-keeping |
Testing |
| Alabama |
1.Establish and/or enroll in church school |
None specified (175 days required for public schools) |
None |
None |
File a notice of enrollment and attendance with the local superintendent on a provided form (not required annually) |
Maintain a daily attendance register to be kept by the principal teacher of the church school |
None |
|
2. Use a private tutor |
140 days per calendar year, 3 hours per day between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. |
Reading, spelling, writing, arithmetic, English, geography, history of the United States, science, health, physical education and Alabama history |
Teacher certification |
File a statement showing children to be instructed, the subjects taught and the period of instruction with the local superintendent |
Maintain a register of the child's work showing daily attendance and make such reports as the State of Board of Education may require |
None |
| Alaska |
1. Establish and operate a home school |
None |
None |
None |
None |
None |
None |
|
2. Use a private tutor |
180 days per year |
Comparable to those offered in the public schools |
Teacher certification |
None |
None |
None |
|
3. Enroll in a state department of education approved full-time correspondence program |
180 days per year |
Comparable to those offered in the public schools |
None |
None |
None |
None |
|
4. Request school board approval to provide an equal alternate educational experience |
180 days per year |
Comparable to those offered in the public schools |
None |
None |
None |
None |
|
5. Qualify as a religious or other private school |
180 days per year |
None, but standardized testing must cover English grammar, reading, spelling and math |
None |
File a "Private School Enrollment Reporting Form" with the local superintendent by the first day of public school; also, file a "Private and Denominational Schools Enrollment Report" and a "School Calendar" with the state department of education by Oct. 15 of each year |
Maintain monthly attendance records; also maintain records on immunization, courses, standardized testing, academic achievement and physical exams |
Administer a standardized test in grades 4, 6 and 8 |
| Arizona |
Establish and operate a home school |
None |
Reading, grammar, math, social studies and science |
None |
File an affidavit of intent with the local superintendent within 30 days of the start (even if instruction will be delayed until age 8) or end of home schooling |
None |
None |
| Arkansas |
Establish and operate a home school |
None |
None |
None |
File written notice of intent with the local superintendent by Aug. 15 (for those starting in fall semester) or Dec. 15 (for those starting in spring semester), or 14 days prior to withdrawing child mid-semester from public school; re-file annually thereafter at beginning of school year |
None |
Participate in same state-mandated norm-referenced tests given to public school students (in grades 3-9); no cost to parent unless alternate testing procedures are approved |
| California |
1. Qualify as a private school |
None |
Same as public school schools and in the English language |
Must be "capable of teaching" |
File an affidavit with the superintendent of public instruction between Oct. 1 and Oct. 15 |
Maintain an attendance register |
None |
|
2. Use a private tutor |
175 days per year, 3 hours per day |
Same as public schools and in the English language |
Teacher certification |
None |
None |
None |
|
3. Enroll in a private school satellite program, taking "independent study" |
As prescribed by the program |
As prescribed by the program |
Must be "capable of teaching" |
None |
As prescribed by the program |
As prescribed by the program |
|
4. Enroll in an independent study program through the public school |
As prescribed by the program |
As prescribed by the program |
None |
A de facto part of the enrollment process |
As pr |
As pre |
| Colorado |
1. Establish and operate a home school |
172 days per year, averaging four hours per day |
Constitution of the United States, reading, writing, speaking, math, history, civics, literature and science |
None |
File notice of intent with any superintendent 14 days prior to state of home school and annually thereafter |
Maintain attendance records, test and evaluation results, and immunization records |
Administer a standardized test for grades 3, 5, 7, 8 and 11 or have the child evaluated by a "qualified person … selected by parent" |
|
2. Enroll in a private school that allows home instruction |
None |
As prescribed by the program |
None |
None |
None |
None |
|
3. Use a private tutor |
None |
Constitution of the United States, reading, writing, speaking, math, history, civics, literature and science |
Teacher certification |
None |
None |
None |
| Connecticut |
Establish and operate a home school |
Generally, 180 days per year |
Reading, writing, spelling, English, grammar, geography, arithmetic, United States history and citizenship, including a study of the town, state and federal governments |
None |
None, but parents may voluntarily comply with state Department of Education guidelines by filing a "notice of intent" form with the local superintendent within 10 days of the start of the home school |
The guidelines require that parents maintain a portfolio indicating that instruction in the required courses has been given |
None |
| Delaware |
1. Establish a "single-family home school," which is the parents or guardians educating their children mainly in their own residence |
180 days per year |
Same as public schools |
None |
Report attendance information to the Department of Education on or before July 31 each year. Also, submit an annual statement of enrollment as of the last school day in September. Both reports must be on forms prescribed by the Department of Education |
None |
None |
|
2. Establish a "multi-family home school," which is education of the children, primarily by the parents or legal guardian of the children in one or more residences when the children are not all related to each other as brother or sister |
180 days per year |
Same as public schools |
None |
A person shall act as a liaison for the multi-family home school to the Department of Education for reporting enrollment and attendance information for all families involved, on or before July 31 each year. Also submit an annual statement of enrollment as of last school day in September. Both reports must be on forms prescribed by the Department of Education |
None |
None |
|
3. Establish a "single-family home school coordinated with the local school district," which is education of the children primarily by the parents or legal guardian mainly in their own residence using a curriculum approved by the local superintendent. The superintendent shall determine in writing that the student is provided with regular instruction in the subjects prescribed for the public schools of the state and in a manner suitable to children of the same age |
|
Same as public schools |
None |
Report attendance information to the Department of Education on or before July 31 each year. Also submit an annual statement of enrollment as of last school day in September. Both reports must be on forms prescribed by the Department of Education |
None |
None |
| District of Columbia |
Provide private instruction not affiliated with an educational institution |
During the period that the public schools are in session |
None |
None |
None, unless the child is being removed from the public school |
An accurate daily record of the attendance shall be kept by every teacher who gives instruction privately |
None |
| Florida |
1. Establish and operate a home school |
None specified |
None |
None |
File notice with the local superintendent within 30 days of establishment for home school (not required annually) |
Maintain a portfolio of records and materials (log of texts and sample work sheets) |
Annually, either: 1. administer any standardized test or a state student assessment test; must be given by a certified teacher, or 2. Have child evaluated by a certified teacher, or 3. Be evaluated by a licensed psychologist or 4. Have child evaluated by another valid tool that is mutually agreed upon |
|
2. Qualify and operate as part of a private school corporation (a legally incorporated group of home school families) |
180 days |
None |
None |
None |
None |
None |
| Georgia |
Establish and conduct a home study program |
180 days per year, 4 1/2 hours per day |
Reading, language arts, math, social studies and science |
High school diploma or GED for a teaching parent; high school diploma or GED for any private tutor used |
File a declaration of intent with the local superintendent within 30 days of commencing the home study program and by Sept. 1 annually thereafter |
Maintain attendance records and submit monthly to the superintendent; write and retain an annual progress report |
Administer and retain the results of a standardized test every three years beginning at the end of the third grade |
| Hawaii |
1. Establish and operate a home school |
None |
Curriculum must "be structured and based on educational objectives as well as the needs of the child, be cumulative and sequential, provide a range of up-to-date knowledge and needed skills and take into account the interests, needs and abilities of the child" |
None |
File a notice of intent with the principal of the public school the child would otherwise be required to attend before starting to home school (not required annually); notify this same principal within five days after ending home school |
Maintain a record of the planned curriculum |
Administer standardized achievement test of parent's choice in grades 3, 5, 8 and 10; submit annual report (of child's progress) to local principal comprised of either 1. Standardized test results, or 2. Written evaluation by certified teacher, or 3. written evaluation by parent |
|
2. Enroll in a superintendent-approved appropriate alternative educational program |
As prescribed during the approval process (approximately three hours per day) |
As prescribed during the approval process |
Baccalaureate degree |
None |
None |
Participate in statewide testing program at the public schools |
| Idaho |
Provide an alternate educational experience for the child that is "otherwise comparably instructed" |
Same as public schools |
Same as public schools |
None |
None |
None |
None |
| Illinois |
Operate a home school as a private school |
Generally, 176 days per year (but not mandated for private or home schools) |
Language arts, biological and physical science, math, social sciences, fine arts, health and physical development |
None |
None |
None |
None |
| Indiana |
Operate a home school as a private school |
Same as public schools; generally 180 days per year |
None |
None |
None, unless specifically requested by the state superintendent of education |
Maintain attendance records |
None |
| Iowa |
1. Operate a home school |
148 days per year (37 days each quarter) |
None |
None |
Complete an annual "Competent Private Instruction Report Form"; file two copies with the local school district by the first day of school or within 14 days of withdrawal from school |
None |
Complete by May 1 and submit to the local school district by June 30: 1. Test results from an acceptably administered standardized test, or 2. A portfolio for review |
|
2. Operate a home school that is supervised by a licensed teacher |
148 days per year (37 days each quarter) |
None |
None for teaching parent; license for the supervising teacher |
Complete an annual "Competent Private Instruction Report Form"; file two copies with the local school district by the first day of school or within 14 days of withdrawal from school |
None |
None; however, must meet with supervising teacher twice per quarter (one may be conducted by telephone) |
| Kansas |
1. Operate a home school as a non-accredited private school |
"substantially equivalent to … the public schools (i.e., … 186 days per year or 1,116 hours per year, 1086 hours for 12th grade) |
None |
Must be a "competent" teacher (however, local school board has no authority to define or evaluate "competence" of private school teachers |
Register name and address of school with the state board of education (not subject to approval) |
None |
None |
|
2. Operate a home school as a satellite of an accredited private school |
"substantially equivalent to … the public schools (I.e., … 186 days per year or 1,116 hours per year, 1086 hours for 12th grade) |
As prescribed by the supervising private school |
Must be a "competent" teacher (however, local school board has no authority to define or evaluate "competence" of private school teachers |
None |
As prescribed by the supervising private school |
As prescribed by the supervising private school |
|
3. Qualify for a state board of education approved religious exemption in the high school grades |
As prescribed in the approval process |
As prescribed in the approval process |
As prescribed in the approval process |
As prescribed in the approval process |
As prescribed in the approval process |
As prescribed in the approval process |
| Kentucky |
Qualify a home school as a private school |
185 days |
Reading, writing, spelling, grammar, history, mathematics and civics |
None |
Notify the local board of education of those students in attendance within two weeks of start of school year |
Maintain an attendance register and scholarship reports |
None |
| Louisiana |
1. Operate a home school as approved by the board of education |
180 days per year |
At least equal to the quality of that in the public schools, including the Declaration of Independence and the Federalist Papers |
None |
File an application and a copy of the child's birth certificate with board of education within 15 days after start of home school. Renew annually thereafter |
Whatever form(s) of documentation is/are planned to satisfy the testing requirement |
Submit with renewal application documents showing satisfactory evidence that the program is at least equal to that offered by the public schools |
|
2. Operate a home school as a private school |
180 days per year |
At least equal to the quality of that in the public schools including the Declaration of Independence and the Federalist Papers |
None |
Submit notification to the state department of education within the first 30 days of the school year |
None |
None |
| Maine |
1. Operate a home school |
175 days per year |
English, language arts, math, science, social studies, physical and health education, library skills, fine arts, Maine studies (in one grade between grades 6 and 12), and computer proficiency (in one grade between grades 7 and 12) |
None |
File initial notice of intent within 10 days. Each subsequent year file letter indicating whether child's home school will continue. Submit a copy to both the local school board and the commissioner of education. |
Keep copies of all material filed until home school program concludes |
Annually, either: 1. Administer a standardized test, or 2. Take a local test, or 3. Have child's progress reviewed by a certified teacher, a superintendent-selected local advisory board, or a home school support group that includes a certified teacher |
|
2. Operate a home school as part of a non-approved private school that teaches at least two unrelated students |
175 days per year or 875 hours |
English (reading, writing, spelling and grammar), math, science, American history, Maine history and geography, government (including the privilege and responsibility of citizenship) |
Competent, as approved by the non-approved private school |
Annually by Oct. 1, file letter with commissioner |
None |
Must give parents four progress reports annually |
| Maryland |
1. Operate a home school |
Must be of "sufficient duration to implement the instructional program" |
Must provide "regular, thorough instruction" in the same subjects as the public schools, including English, math, science, social studies, art, music, health and physical education |
None |
File a one-time notice of intent with the local superintendent at least 15 days before the start of home school. Verify to superintendent annually thereafter whether home school program will continue or not, and notify if status changes |
Maintain a portfolio of "relevant materials," reviewable by the local superintendent up to three times per year |
None |
|
2. Provide home instruction under the supervision of a church institution or school that complies with regulations |
As prescribed by the supervising program |
As prescribed by the supervising program |
None |
File a one-time notice of intent with the local superintendent at least 15 days before the start of home school. Verify continuation to supervising program annually and notify of any status change |
As prescribed by the supervising program |
As prescribed by the supervising program |
| Massachusetts |
Establish and operate a home school as approved in advance by the local school committee or superintendent |
None specified, though 900 hours at elementary level and 990 hours at secondary level are expected |
Reading, writing, English language and grammar, geography, arithmetic, drawing, music, history and Constitution of the United States, duties of citizenship, health (including CPR), physical education and good behavior |
None |
A de facto part off the approval process |
None |
Not required by state law but may be a negotiated condition for approval |
| Michigan |
1. Establish and operate a home education program |
None |
Reading, spelling, mathematics, science, history, civics, literature, writing and English grammar |
None |
None |
None |
None |
|
2. Operate a home school as a nonpublic school |
None |
Must be "comparable to those taught in the public schools" |
Teacher certification (unless claiming a religious exemption) |
Submit, to the department of education and the local superintendent, at start of each school year a statement of enrollment |
Maintain records of enrollment, courses of study and qualifications of teachers (must be submitted to the Department of education upon request) |
None |
| Minnesota |
Establish and operate a qualified home school |
None |
Reading, writing, literature, fine arts, math, science, history, geography, government, health and physical education |
None |
File a "Non-Public Education Compulsory Instructions Report" with the local superintendent by Oct. 1 of each school year |
If only teacher qualification is to be child's parent, submit a quarterly report to the local superintendent showing the achievement of each child in the required subjects |
Administer an annual standardized test as agreed to by the local superintendent |
| Mississippi |
Establish and operate a home school |
Whatever "number of days that each (home) school shall require for promotion from grade to grade |
None |
None |
File a "certificate of enrollment" by Sept. 15 of each school year to the district's attendance officer |
None |
None |
| Missouri |
Operate a home school |
1,000 hours per year, at least 600 hours in the five required subjects; 400 of these 600 hours must occur at the "regular home school location" |
Reading, math, social studies, language arts and science |
None |
None required |
Maintain records of subjects taught, activities engaged in, samples of the child's academic work and evaluations or a credible equivalent and a written log showing the hours required under "attendance" |
None |
| Montana |
Establish and operate a home school |
720 hours per year for grades 1-3, and 1,080 hours per year for grades 4-12 |
Same "basic instructional program" as the public schools |
None |
File annual notice of intent with the county superintendent |
Maintain attendance and immunization records; must be available for inspection by county superintendent upon request |
None |
| North Carolina |
Establish and operate a home school |
At least nine calendar months per year, excluding reasonable holidays and vacations |
None, but annual standardized tests must cover English grammar, reading, spelling and mathematics |
High school diploma or GED |
File notice of intent with the state division of non-public education upon starting home school |
Maintain attendance and immunization records and results of standardized tests |
Administer an annual standardized test measuring achievement in English grammar, reading, spelling and mathematics, the results of which must be available for inspection |
| North Dakota |
1. Establish and operate a home school |
175 days per year, four hours per day |
English language arts, including reading, composition, creative writing, English grammar and spelling; mathematics; social studies, including the U.S. Constitution, U.S. history, geography and government; science, including agriculture, physical education, health, including physiology, hygiene, disease control, and the nature and effects of alcohol, tobacco and narcotics |
Possess either: 1. A teaching certificate, or 2. A bachelor's degree, or 3. A high school diploma or GED and be monitored by a certified teacher during the first year of home instruction, monitoring must continue thereafter if child scores below the 50th percentile on required standardized achievement tests, or 4. proof of meeting or exceeding the cut-off score of the national teacher exam |
File annual notice of intent with the local superintendent 14 days prior to the start of the home school or within 14 days of establishing residency inside the district. For developmentally disabled children: In addition to above, file a copy of the child's diagnosis from a licensed psychologist along with an individualized education program developed and followed by the child's school district and parent or by a team selected and compensated by the parent. |
Take a standardized achievement test in grades 4, 6, 8 and 10; must be administered by a certified teacher; results must be provided to the local superintendent; a basic composite score below the 30th percentile requires a professional assessment for learning problems and submission of a plan of remediation to the local superintendent. |
|
|
2. Operate a home school as a county- and state-approved private school |
Same as public schools |
English language arts, including reading, composition, creative writing, English grammar and spelling; mathematics; social studies, including the U.S. Constitution, U.S. history, geography and government; science, including agriculture, physical education |
Teacher certification |
A de facto part of the approval process |
None |
None |
| Nebraska |
Establish and operate a home school as a private school |
1,032 hours per year for elementary grades, 1,080 hours per year for high school grades |
Language arts, math, science, social studies and health |
None, unless the teacher is "employed" by the family |
File an annual notice of intent with the state commissioner of education by Aug. 1 (or 30 days prior to the start of home school) |
None |
None |
| Nevada |
Establish and operate a home school |
Equivalent of 180 days of instruction |
English, math, science, social studies. As practicable, the arts, computer education, health and physical education |
Either: 1. A parent who has one year of home schooling experience in the U.S.; or 2. A parent with a teaching credential from any state; or 3. A signed statement that the parents have read and understood the Nevada regulations on home schooling. |
File, with the local school board, annual "satisfactory written evidence" that the "child is receiving at home … equivalent instruction of the kind and amount approved by the state board of education" |
None |
None |
| New Hampshire |
Operate a home school |
None |
Science, mathematics, language, government, history, health, reading, writing, spelling, U.S. and New Hampshire constitutional history, and art and music appreciation |
None |
Within 30 days of withdrawing from public school or moving into the school district, file a notice of intent with a private school principal, the state commissioner of education or the local superintendent |
Maintain a portfolio of records and materials including a log of reading materials used, samples of writings, worksheets, workbooks or creative materials used or developed by the child |
By July 1, file either: 1. Results from a standardized test, or 2. Results from a state student assessment test used by the local school district, or 3. A written evaluation by a certified teacher, or 4 results of another measure agreeable to the local school board |
| New Jersey |
Operate a home school |
None specified (180 days required for public schools) |
Must provide instruction academically equivalent to that in public schools |
None |
None |
None |
None |
| New Mexico |
Establish and operate a home school |
Same school year length as public schools |
Reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies and science |
High school diploma or equivalent |
File notice of intent with the state superintendent within 30 days of establishing the home school and by April 1 of each subsequent year |
Maintain immunization records |
None |
| New York |
Establish and operate a home school |
Substantial equivalent of 180 days per year; 900 hours per year for grades 1-6; 990 hours per year for grades 7-12 |
Grades K-12: patriotism and citizenship, substance abuse, traffic safety and fire safety; Grades 1-6: arithmetic, reading, spelling, writing, English, geography, U.S. history, science, health, music, visual arts and physical education; Grades 7-8: English, history, geography, science, mathematics, physical education, health, art, music, practical arts and library skills; At least one in grades 1-8: U.S. and New York history and constitutions; Grades 9-12: English, social studies (including American history participation in government and economics), math, science, art or music, health, physical education and electives |
"Competent" — a person is deemed to be competent if they follow the regulations |
File annual notice of intent with the local superintendent by July 1 or within 14 days, if starting a home school mid-year; complete and submit an individualized home instruction plan (form provided by district) |
Maintain attendance records (must make available for inspection upon request of the local superintendent); file, with the local superintendent, quarterly reports listing the number of hours of instruction during the quarter, description of material covered in each subject and a grade or narrative evaluation in each subject |
File, with the local superintendent, an annual assessment by June 30; must be from a standardized test every other year in grades 4-8, and every year in grades 9-12; the child should score above the 33rd percentile of their home instruction program could be placed on probation; other years can be satisfied by either another standardized test or a written narrative evaluation prepared by a certified teacher, a home instruction peer review panel or other person chosen by the parent with the consent of the superintendent |
| Ohio |
Not available |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Oklahoma |
Operate a home school as an "other means of education" expressed in the state constitution |
180 days |
Reading, writing, math, science, citizenship, U.S. Constitution, health, safety, physical education, conservation |
None |
None |
None |
None |
| Oregon |
Establish and operate a home school |
None |
None |
None |
Notify education service district in writing when child starts being taught at home; when moving, notify new district in same manner |
None |
Participate in an approved comprehensive test in grades 3, 5, 8 and 10 administered by a "qualified neutral person"; if child was withdrawn from public school, the first test must be administered at least 18 months after child was withdrawn; children with disabilities are to be evaluated as per their individualized education plan |
| Pennsylvania |
1. Establish and operate a home education program |
180 days per year or 900 hours at the elementary level or 990 hours at the secondary level |
Elementary level: English spelling, reading, writing, arithmetic, U.S. and Pennsylvania history, civics, health and physiology, physical education, music, art, geography, science, safety and fire prevention: Secondary level: English language, literature, speech and composition, science, geography, civics, history (world, U.S. and Pennsylvania), algebra, geometry, art, music, physical education, health, safety and fire prevention |
High school diploma or equivalent |
File a notarized affidavit with the local superintendent prior to the start of home school and annually by Aug. 1 thereafter |
Maintain a portfolio of materials used, work done, standardized test results in grades 3, 5, and 8, and a written evaluation completed by June 30 of each year |
Administer standardized tests in grades 3, 5 and 8; submit results as part of portfolio |
|
2. Use a private tutor who 1. Is teaching one or more children who are members of a single family, 2. Provides the majority of instruction, and 3. Is receiving a fee or other consideration for the instruction |
180 days per year or 900 hours at the elementary level or 990 hours at the secondary level |
Elementary level: English spelling, reading, writing, arithmetic, science, geography, U.S. and Pennsylvania history, civics, safety and fire prevention, health and physiology, physical education, music and art; Secondary level: English language, literature, speech and composition, science, biology, chemistry, geography, social studies, civics, economics, history (world, Pennsylvania and U.S.), foreign language, general mathematics and statistics, algebra and geometry, art, music, physical education, health and physiology, safety and fire prevention |
Teacher certification |
File copy of certification and criminal history record with the local superintendent |
None |
None |
|
3. Establish and/or operate a home school as an extension or satellite of a day school operated by a church or other religious body |
180 days per year or 900 hours at the elementary level or 990 hours at the secondary level |
Elementary level: English spelling, reading, writing, arithmetic, science, geography, U.S. and Pennsylvania history, civics, safety and fire prevention, health and physiology, physical education, music and art; Secondary level: English language, literature |
None |
School principal must file a notarized affidavit with the department of education |
None |
None |
| Rhode Island |
Operate a home school as approved by the local school board |
"Substantially equal" to that of the public schools |
Reading, writing, English, geography, arithmetic, U.S. history, Rhode Island history (in fourth grade), Rhode Island government (fourth grade and high school), Rhode Island constitution (high school), U.S. government and constitution (high school) health and physical education (grades 1-12, to average 20 minutes per school day) |
None |
A de facto part of the approval process |
Keep attendance record and submit to school committee if requested |
Annual assessment may be required. Preference of parent as to type of assessment must be honored. |
| South Carolina |
1. Establish and operate a home school as approved by the local school board |
180 days per year, 4 1/2 hours per day |
Reading, writing, math, science and social studies; also composition and literature in grades 7-12 |
High school diploma or GED, or a bachelor's degree |
None |
Maintain evidence of regular instruction, including a record of subjects taught, activities in which the student and parent engage, a portfolio of the child's work, and a record of academic evaluations, with a semi-annual progress report |
Participate in the annual statewide testing program and the Basic Skills Assessment Program |
|
2. Establish and operate a home school under the membership auspices of the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools |
180 days per year |
Reading, writing, math, science and social studies; also composition and literature in grades 7-12 |
High school diploma or GED |
None |
None required by statute; SCAIHS requires some record-keeping |
None required by statute; SCAIHS has certain testing requirements |
|
3. Establish and operate a home school under the membership auspices of an association for home schoolers with no fewer than 50 members |
180 days per year |
Reading, writing, math, science and social studies; also composition and literature in grades 7-12 |
High school diploma or GED |
None |
Maintain evidence of regular instruction including a record of subjects taught, activities in which the student and parent engage and a portfolio of the child's work, with a semi-annual progress report |
None |
| South Dakota |
Operate a home school |
Equivalent to that of the public schools; generally a "nine-month regular term" |
Language arts and math |
None |
Submit a notarized application to the local superintendent using the form provided by the state department of education. If submitting an application for the first time, include certified copy of child's birth certificate or affidavit notarized or witnessed by two or more witnesses, swearing that the child identified on the request for excuse is the same person appearing on the child's birth certificate. |
Must keep copy of child's birth certificate on file at home |
Administer a standardized test to children in 2, 4, 8, and 11. Results must show satisfactory progress |
| Tennessee |
1. Establish and operate a home school |
180 days per year, 4 hours per day |
For grades K-8: None; For grades 9-12: Either college preparatory courses (those required for admission to state-operated, four-year colleges, OR general studies courses (those required by the state board of education for high school graduation) |
For grades K-8: High school diploma or GED; For grades 9-12: bachelor's degree (or an exemption granted by the commissioner of education) |
Submit a notice of intent to the local superintendent by Aug. 1 of each school year |
Maintain attendance records; must be kept available for inspection and submitted to the local superintendent at the end of the school year |
Administer a standardized test in grades 5, 7 and 9; must be given by commissioner of education, his designee or a professional testing service approved by the local school district |
|
2. Establish and operate a home school in association with a church-related school |
180 days per year |
As prescribed by the church-related school |
For grades K-8: None; For grades 9-12: High school diploma or GED |
For grades K-8: None; For grades 9-12: Register with the local school district each year |
None |
Administer the same annual standardized achievement test or Sanders Model assessment used by the local school district for grades 9-12 |
|
3. Operate as a satellite campus of a church-related school |
180 days per year |
As prescribed by the church-related school |
None |
None |
None |
As prescribed by the church-related school |
| Texas |
Establish and operate a home school as a private school |
None |
Reading, spelling, grammar, math, good citizenship |
None |
None |
None |
None |
| Utah |
1. Notify school board of home school program |
Same as public schools |
Same as public school core curriculum |
None specified; however, the local school board can consider the basic educative ability of the teacher |
Yes |
None |
None |
|
2. Establish a group of home school families as a regular private school |
None |
None |
None |
None |
None |
None |
| Vermont |
Establish and operate a home school |
None (175 days per year required for public schools) |
Reading, writing, math, citizenship, history, U.S. and Vermont government, physical education, health, English, literature (American and other), science and fine arts |
None |
File a written notice of enrollment with the commissioner of education any time after March 1 for the subsequent year |
None |
Submit an annual assessment from: 1. A certified (or approved Vermont independent school) teacher; or 2. A report from a commercial curriculum publisher together with a portfolio, or 3. Results of an acceptably administered standardized test |
| Virginia |
1. Operate a home school |
None |
None |
Either 1. Possess a high school diploma, or 2. Be a certified teacher, or 3. Use an approved correspondence course, or 4. Submit evidence the parent can teach or 5. Submit a curriculum that includes state objectives for language arts and math |
File an annual notice of intent with local superintendent by Aug. 15; if starting or moving into the state after school year has begun, file notice as soon as practicable and comply with applicable requirements within 30 days of such notice |
None |
Administer a standardized test or have child otherwise evaluated ever year (for those 6 years or older on Sept. 30 of the school year); submit results to local superintendent by Aug. 1 |
|
2. Operate a home school under the religious exemptions statute |
None |
None |
None |
File request to acknowledge religious exemption with the local school board chairman |
None |
None |
|
3. Use a private tutor |
None |
None |
Teacher certification |
Send letter to local superintendent asking him to recognize that parent (tutor) has the qualifications prescribed by the state board of education (I.e., teacher certificate) |
None |
None |
| Washington |
1. Establish and operate a home school |
180 days or in grades 1-12 "an annual average total instructional hour offering of one thousand hours" |
Occupational education, science, math, language, social studies, history, health, reading, writing, spelling, music and art appreciation |
Either: 1. Be supervised by a certified teacher, or 2. Have 45 college quarter credit hours or completed a course in home education, or 3. Be deemed qualified by the local superintendent |
File an annual notice of intent with the local (or applicable nonresident) superintendent by Sept. 15 or within two weeks of the start of any public school quarter |
Maintain standardized test scores, academic progress assessments and immunization records |
Annually administer and retain a state-approved standardized test by a qualified person, or have the child evaluated by a certified teacher currently working in the field of education |
|
2. Operate under an extension program of an approved private school designed for parents to teach their children at home |
180 days or in grades 1-12 "an annual average total instructional hour offering of one thousand hours" |
Occupational education, science, math, language, social studies, history, health, reading, writing, spelling, music and art appreciation |
Must be under the supervision of a certified teacher employed by the approved private school |
None |
None |
Progress must be evaluated by a certified teacher employed by the approved private school |
| West Virginia |
1. Seek local school board approval to operate a home school |
Same as the public schools, generally 180 days per year |
As required by board |
Be deemed qualified to teach by the local superintendent and school board |
A de facto part of the approval process |
As prescribed during the approval process |
As prescribed during the approval process |
|
2. Operate a home school |
None |
None, but must be assessed in areas of: reading language, mathematics, science and social studies |
High school diploma |
File a notice of intent with the local superintendent two weeks prior to starting home school |
None |
Annually, either: 1. Administer a standardized test, or 2. Have certified teacher evaluate portfolio of work, 3. Assess progress by other means agreeable to superintendent, or 4. Participate in state testing program |
| Wisconsin |
Establish and operate a "home-based private educational program" |
Must provide "at least 875 hours of instruction each year" |
Must provide "a sequentially progressive curriculum of fundamental instruction" in reading, language arts, math, social studies, science and health; such curriculum need not "conflict with the program's religious doctrines" |
None |
File a statement of enrollment with the state department of education by Oct. 15 each year |
None |
None |
| Wyoming |
Establish and operate a home school |
175 days per year |
A "basic academic educational program" that provides a "sequentially progressive curriculum of fundamental instruction in reading, writing, math, civics, history, literature and science" |
None |
Annually submit to the local school board a curriculum showing that a "basic academic educational program" is being provided |
None |
None |
