When considering homeschooling, it’s important to know your states requirements. While the freedom and flexibility of homeschooling are exciting, we also know that playing by the rules is essential. In this post, I’ll share what I’ve learned about homeschooling requirements in our state, along with some tips for finding information in other states.

The first thing to consider when homeschooling are the legal requirements.

Many people are pursuing homeschooling because they want more freedom – therefore, it may not even occur to them to look up the requirements. It’s also important to note that the requirements differ from state to state.
The requirements are important not only to ensure that your child is getting the education they deserve, but also because there can be other ramifications – legal and financial. It’s important to be aware of these regulations and have a plan going in.

Your State’s Homeschooling Requirements

In my state, the requirements are as follows:

• 1000 hours of instruction are required, though parents are free to set their own schedule. Of these hours:
  • 600 must be in core subjects (math, reading, language arts, social studies, science)
  • 400 of the above hours must occur “at the regular home school location”
• Records should be kept documenting progress, and should include a daily log, a list of completed courses, and samples of the work.
• Periodic assessments should be done, though there is no standardized testing requirement.

There are many places to find information on your state’s requirements online.

Typically, you can find the best information at your State Department of Education website – you may have to play with wording. Some state websites can be tricky to navigate. If you’re not finding homeschooling info right away, try searching for terms like ‘home education’ or ‘alternative education’.  
[For example, I had to search “[state] DOE home education” in order for relevant information to come up.]

Home School Legal Defense Association (https://hslda.org/) is another great resource. They offer free information, and also have a membership with additional benefits, including legal resources. They have information on the requirements of every state.

“We believe every child is unique, that children should learn in ways that meet their needs, and that you want the best for your child. Homeschooling gives you the freedom to personalize their education so they can realize their potential.
HSLDA passionately advocates for the freedom to homeschool and offers support for every stage of your homeschool journey.“

Deciding When to Start Homeschooling

The compulsory age (age a child must start kindergarten by) in my state is 7 years old. This is an important decision that my husband and I have weighed heavily. There are studies that show that children who start school at 6 are more emotionally mature and perform better than their counterparts. If for some reason homeschooling doesn’t work out for us, we plan to enroll Baby Blossom in kindergarten when she is 6 years old.

The Ramifications of Not Meeting the Requirements

Failure to meet the requirements could result in legal trouble, including fines or even a misdemeanor charge.

Interesting homeschool law facts:

• If you are homeschooling on the road, you are required to meet the state homeschool laws of the state you hold a drivers license in.
• Homeschool is legal in all 50 states (as of 1992)
• Homeschool laws vary from state to state, from very strict to very lax.
  • Some of the strictest states include: MA, NY, PA, RI, and VT.
  • The most lenient states are: ID, AK, TX, OK, MO, IA, IL, IN, MI, NJ, and CT.
• The Supreme Court’s concept of liberty protects homeschool as a fundamental right.

No matter your state’s requirements, homeschooling is a powerful way to shape your child’s education. Take the time to research your local laws and start planning your homeschooling journey today!