Homeschooling has become an increasingly popular educational choice in the United States. It’s estimated that there are currently 2-
5 million homeschooled children in the US, and that number is growing. It can be a great way to provide your children with an education tailored to their needs and interests, or simply to look after their wellbeing. But the laws around homeschooling vary greatly from state to state.
Here, we answer 15 questions which cover many aspects of the homeschooling laws, including whether you need a degree to legally homeschool your child in the US.
1. Which States Require a Degree to Homeschool?
In 16 states, you need a degree, usually in education or teaching, to legally homeschool your child. These states are Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. In Arizona and Michigan, you need to have a bachelor’s degree in order to homeschool.
Pennsylvania requires a bachelor’s degree in special education, if you’re homeschooling a student with disabilities. In Oregon, if you do not have a degree, you need to take a state-approved homeschooling program.
In Iowa, if you do not have a degree, you must take a state-approved online or correspondence course. In the other 11 states, a degree is not required, but it is helpful.
For example, in Louisiana, the state provides guidance on curriculum and requires that you submit quarterly learning objectives and assessments. If you have a degree in teaching, this can be a great help in setting up a homeschooling program.
2. Do You Need a Degree in All States?
No, you do not need a degree to legally homeschool in all states. Thirty-four states have no requirements for homeschooling beyond the mandatory requirement that each student has a certain amount of instruction time.
This makes it very easy for parents to create their own homeschooling programs without any additional qualifications. However, parents in those states should check with their local school districts to find out any additional requirements or regulations, as these can vary from district to district.
3. Are There Alternatives to Degrees?
In the 16 states that require a degree, some states offer alternative paths for homeschooling. For example, in Arkansas and South Carolina, parents can take a state-approved correspondence or online course. In Iowa and Oregon, if you do not have a degree, you must take a state-approved online or correspondence course.
Additionally, some states allow parents with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a subject other than education or teaching to homeschool without taking a course. For instance, in Kentucky, if you have a bachelor’s degree in any other subject, you are allowed to homeschool without taking a course.
In Florida and Massachusetts, you can homeschool if you have an associate’s degree in another field.
4. What Are the Benefits of Having a Degree?
Having a degree in education or teaching provides parents who are homeschooling with an advantage in preparing a curriculum, meeting state requirements, and teaching their children the material. A degree in education can also provide the knowledge and understanding of various teaching methods, as well as knowledge of how to measure student progress and performance.
Those who have a degree in teaching and education can also access a wide range of resources and networks which are not available to those without degrees. This can give them access to helpful advice, materials, and contacts that can help make their homeschooling journey easier.
5. Is It Necessary to Have a Degree to Give Quality Education?
Having a degree is not a requirement for providing quality education, in any state. Many states have no requirements for homeschooling, and there are many successful homeschooling parents who do not have a degree in education.
Quality education is about providing a quality learning environment, good resources, and having passion and dedication to teaching your child. A degree can provide you with an advantage in terms of teaching methods and understanding of education, as well as access to resources and networks. But so long as you are willing to work hard to provide a quality education environment and curriculum, having a degree is not essential.
6. Are Parents Home-schooling Know as Qualified Teachers?
In many states, parents are not technically considered qualified teachers. Even in states that have requirements for homeschooling parents, such as having a degree, the legal status of homeschooling parents is still unclear in terms of qualification. For example, in Arkansas and South Carolina, parents must take a state-approved course but are not considered teachers and cannot use the title ‘teacher’ in their homeschool.
Similarly, in Iowa and Oregon, parents must take a course but are not considered teachers.
7. Are There Any Financial Aid for Getting a Degree?
Yes, there are financial aid options available for those who want to get a degree in teaching or education. Depending on the state, there are state-sponsored scholarships, grants, and loan forgiveness programs. Additionally, there are private scholarships and grants available through nonprofit organizations, foundations, and other sources.
For example, in Alabama, Arkansas, and South Carolina, there are state-sponsored scholarships available for those wanting to pursue a degree in education. In Pennsylvania, there are loan forgiveness and tuition reimbursement programs for those who want to pursue a degree in teaching.
And in Louisiana and Michigan, there are special scholarships available for those who want to pursue a degree in education.
8. Are Some Degrees Better than Others?
When it comes to homeschooling, some degrees are more beneficial than others. In the states that require a degree for homeschooling, having a degree in education or teaching is usually required. In Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, for instance, you must have a degree in special education if you’re homeschooling a student with disabilities.
Additionally, some states require a bachelor’s degree, so having a higher-level degree can be beneficial. Having a degree in a subject related to what you want to teach your children can also be an advantage.
For instance, if you want to teach your children science, having a degree in science or a related field can be helpful. In Louisiana, if you have a degree in a specialized subject, the state may provide assistance in setting up a homeschooling program.
9. Can I Still Home-school Without a Degree?
Yes, it is still possible to homeschool without having a degree. In most states, there are no requirements for homeschooling, apart from a certain amount of instruction time.
The only states that require a degree to homeschool are Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. However, if you do not have a degree, it is recommended to take a state-approved homeschooling course so that you are familiar with the curriculum and state standards. Additionally, you should contact your local school district to find out any other requirements or regulations.
10. Is Having a Degree Mandatory in All States?
No, having a degree is not mandatory in all states. Thirty-four states have no requirements for homeschooling beyond the mandatory requirement that each student has a certain amount of instruction time.
This makes it very easy for parents to create their own homeschooling programs without any additional qualifications. However, parents should check with their local school district to find out any additional requirements or regulations, as these can vary from district to district.
11. Do Degrees Need to Be Regularly Renewed for Home-schooling?
No, you do not need to regularly renew your degree for homeschooling. In the states that require a degree, once you have the degree, you do not need to renew it. You will, however, need to demonstrate that your homeschooling program meets the state standards each year, including filing assessment reports.
12. Are Degrees Required Even if You Have Homeschooled in the Past?
In most states, you do not need a degree to homeschool even if you have homeschooled in the past. The only states that require a degree are Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina.
Of those, only Arkansas and South Carolina offer an alternative path for homeschooling without a degree.
13. Are Expenses for Degrees Tax Deductible?
Yes, expenses for degrees that relate to homeschooling can be tax deductible in some states. For instance, in Arkansas, expenses related to taking a state-approved homeschooling course are tax-deductible.
Similarly, in Louisiana, expenses related to taking a state-approved course or obtaining a degree in education or teaching are tax-deductible.
14. Are Degrees Necessary for Homeschooling-related Activities and Organizations?
No, degrees are not necessary for homeschooling-related activities and organizations. However, having a degree in teaching or education can be an advantage, as it can provide access to resources and networks which may not be available to those without the degree.
Additionally, some homeschooling-related activities and organizations may require you to have a degree in education. For instance, some states, such as Colorado and Louisiana, allow parents who are members of a homeschooling organization to homeschool without a degree.
15. Is a Degree Required to Teach Online?
It depends on the state. States that require a degree in order to homeschool generally do not require a degree in order to teach online.
For instance, in Arizona and Michigan, you need to have a bachelor’s degree in order to homeschool, but you do not need a degree to teach online. However, some states may require specific degrees or qualifications in order to teach online. For instance, in North Dakota, you need a bachelor’s degree in education and a certificate from the state’s Teachers Standards and Practices Board in order to teach online.
ConclusionHomeschooling is becoming an increasingly popular educational choice for many families. The laws regarding homeschooling vary from state to state, and depending on where you live, you may be required to have a degree in order to legally homeschool.
The states that require a degree are Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. Fortunately, if you do not have a degree, there may be alternatives to help you legally homeschool your child. Additionally, having a degree is not a requirement for providing quality education, though it can be an advantage.