Homeschooling is on the rise in the United States, with an estimated 3-4 million students being homeschooled in 2020. Many parents are deciding to homeschool their children for a variety of reasons, including religion, control over curriculum, or a more customized approach to teaching.
However, the laws surrounding homeschooling vary from state-to-state, and the process for homeschooling is different depending on where parents live. This article will explore what state is hardest to homeschool in by looking at the laws, regulations, and requirements for homeschooling in each state.
The Legal Requirements for Homeschooling
The legal requirements for homeschooling vary from state to state, and parents must be aware of the laws in their state before they begin the process of homeschooling. In some states, homeschooling is relatively easy, while in other states it can be more difficult. Generally speaking, states fall into three categories – states with minimal regulations, states with moderate regulations, or states with stringent regulations.
Regulations can take the form of attendance requirements, standardized testing, and reporting requirements. In states with minimal regulations, homeschooling is relatively easy, and there may be no legally required paperwork for parents to complete.
These states may not have any attendance requirements, and the only real requirement is that parents provide documentation of the student’s progress. This documentation can include a portfolio or a portfolio review by a qualified homeschool evaluator.
States with moderate regulations may have minor paperwork requirements and may require some type of evidence of the student’s progress. These states may also require that students take standardized tests to assess their learning. States with stringent regulations may have more paperwork and may require more evidence of the student’s progress.
These states may also have more severe attendance requirements.
The States With Minimal Regulations
The states with minimal regulations are Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming. These states have minimal paperwork requirements and generally do not require parents to have any type of special qualification to homeschool. These states also do not typically have attendance requirements or standardized testing.
For parents who decide to homeschool in one of these states, the requirements may be simpler than in some of the other states. Parents may have the freedom to create their own curriculum and may have more flexibility when it comes to teaching their children.
The States With Moderate Regulations
The states with moderate regulations are Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee and Wisconsin. In these states, there is typically more paperwork and some standardized tests may be required.
Many of these states also require parents to submit some type of evidence of the student’s progress, which could include a portfolio review. In addition, some states may require that students take a standardized test once a year or at the end of the school year. For parents who decide to homeschool in one of these states, the requirements may be more complicated than in some of the other states.
Parents may have more paperwork to complete and might have to take more time to make sure their child is meeting the required standards. However, the more moderate regulations could still provide some degree of flexibility for parents to create their own curriculum and customize their child’s education.
The States With Stringent Regulations
The states with stringent regulations are Alabama, California, Connecticut, Idaho, Mississippi, New York, and West Virginia. These states typically have the most paperwork and the toughest attendance requirements.
In addition, these states typically require that students take standardized tests as well as some type of evidence of the student’s progress. For parents who decide to homeschool in one of these states, the requirements may be more challenging than in some of the other states. These states typically have the most paperwork and information a parents must adhere too.
In addition, these states typically require that parents are highly qualified and have the right credentials to homeschool their children.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is difficult to determine which state is the hardest to homeschool in. Each state has its own set of laws, regulations, and requirements for homeschooling. When making the decision to homeschool, parents should research the laws and requirements in their own state and make an informed decision based on what is best for their own children.