Homeschooling can provide meaningful education while allowing children to learn in an environment where they’re comfortable and safe. Homeschooling families have their own unique challenges, and understanding the legal requirements to pull a child out of school and begin homeschooling is one of the more important ones.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the legal side of homeschooling, breaking down the different requirements, provisions, and paperwork needed to ensure that homeschooling is legal and done right.
What Does Homeschooling Entail?
Homeschooling involves schooling a child at home, whether with a parent or a tutor. It’s an increasingly popular option in the US, with an estimated
5 million students being homeschooled in the US during the 2016-2017 school year. Homeschooling isn’t one-size-fits-all, and families will tailor the educational experience around the needs and interests of their child. Homeschooling isn’t for every family, but it can be a great choice for many.
Why Would You Pull Your Child Out Of School To Homeschool?
There’s no one answer to this question, as there can be many reasons to opt for homeschooling over traditional schooling. Health concerns, like allergies or sensitivities to certain environments, can be a factor. Different types of abuse, such as bullying, can also drive parents to seek a home-based option.
Other parents may simply believe that their child will do better in an environment that’s tailored to their learning needs.
What Kinds of Papers Do You Need to Homeschool a Child?
Most states require some form of documentation to ensure that homeschooling is being done legally. This often includes a letter of intent to homeschool and various documents and records to prove enrollment and attendance, as well as educational progress.
Every state has its own unique set of paperwork requirements. Understanding the specific requirements of your state is essential as failure to submit the necessary documents may result in penalties, fines, or even having your child kicked out of school.
Do I Need to Notify My School District That I’m Pulling My Child Out of School?
Yes. Most states require that parents or guardians notify the school district of their intent to homeschool.
This is usually done in writing, with a notice of intent, which may or may not need to be notarized. The state’s Department of Education website is often a good place to start for finding out the specifics for your state.
What Kinds of Records Do I Need to Keep for Homeschooling?
When homeschooling, it’s essential to keep records to prove educational progress and attendance. This usually includes attendance and lesson plans, as well as any assessments or evaluations done to measure progress. Other evidence of schooling may be necessary, such as records of field trips, art projects, club activities, and any other activities that serve as evidence of a home-based education.
Do I Need To Provide Curriculum When Homeschooling?
No, curriculum is not a legal requirement of homeschooling in the United States. Many parents choose to use structured curriculum, but it’s up to the parent to decide what works best for their child. The important thing to remember is that any activities geared towards education count towards school hours, whether they involve a pre-packaged curriculum or not.
Do I Need to Have Qualifications To Homeschool?
In most states, no formal qualifications are needed for parents or guardians to homeschool. However, in some states, such as California, parents must meet a certain level of educational attainment or have a tutor or teaching credential.
Requirements for homeschooling laws can vary from state to state, so it’s always important to check your state’s specific requirements.
Do I Need to Provide a Formal Education Plan?
In some states, yes. Most states require proof of a plan for education upon notification of intent to homeschool. This generally includes providing details on educational goals, record keeping methods, curriculum, scheduled class time, and educational methods to be employed.
Do I Need to Engage in Standardized Testing?
Some states make standardized testing mandatory for those opting to homeschool. Tests may need to be monitored by the authorities, making sure that awareness of the child’s academic progress is maintained.
Other states do not require any standardized testing at all.
Do I Need to Hire a Tutor When Homeschooling?
No, it’s not usually necessary to hire a tutor for a homeschooling student. However, it’s an option that many parents choose to utilize, especially in areas where subject matter is outside the parent’s expertise.
Qualified tutors can be beneficial, and can provide a good balance to a homeschooling environment.
Are There Homeschool Groups I Can Join?
Yes, many states have homeschooling groups or cooperatives. These groups allow homeschooling families to share ideas, resources, and even provide educational opportunities for the children together. These groups can be a great source of support and advice, and provide a space to discuss all aspects of homeschooling.
Do I Need Any Special Equipment to Homeschool?
No special equipment is necessary in order to homeschool. Most of the materials necessary to homeschooling can be acquired without spending much money, such as books, paper, and office supplies.
Some parents may choose to invest in technology such as computers, but this is not mandatory by any means.
Can I Homeschool My Child As Part Of A Group?
Yes, it’s possible to homeschool as part of a group. Homeschooling cooperatives are great for providing additional educational and socialization opportunities, as well as allowing children to connect with kids of similar age.
Some parents also choose to join independent homeschooling groups, which can also provide many of these opportunities.
Conclusion
Homeschooling is becoming increasingly popular in the US, and with good reason. It can provide an excellent education for children, as well as a safe and comfortable learning environment. Pulling a child out of school to homeschool involves specific legal requirements and necessary paperwork, and understanding these requirements is essential for ensuring a successful start to homeschooling.
Armed with the information covered in this article, parents and guardians should have a better understanding of the legal side of homeschooling.