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Homeschooling in the U.S. has grown a lot. Only 1.7% of students aged 5-17 were homeschooled in 1999, but by 2012, the number doubled to 3.4%, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Homeschooling is when parents educate their children at home instead of sending them to a traditional school. Homeschooling places certain demands on students. We will discuss what parents and students consider when choosing to learn at home.
Is Homeschooling Legal in the U.S.?
Homeschooling is legal and accepted in all states in the United States and in many countries around the world. Parents and students check the requirements of the state they reside in to comply with all homeschooling regulations.
Requirements Faced by Students in Homeschooling
“A parent needs to make up their own mind regarding whether or not to homeschool their child taking into account their child’s needs, their work/financial situation, time constraints, their ability to provide the child with what he/she needs academically, the current data, and their own instincts”
Rachel Wise, LinkedIn
Some states have no requirements, while others impose them. We will go over seven requirements students may face.
Naming Your Homeschool
Parents choose an official name for their homeschool. This name will be used in any legal documentation, such as registration forms or official reports.
Letter of Intent
Parents write and submit a formal letter of intent to the local school district or superintendent, informing them of their decision to homeschool. This letter includes basic details like the student’s name, age, and the start date of homeschooling.
Curriculum Approval
Parents are required to submit their chosen curriculum for approval by the local school board. The curriculum includes core subjects such as math, reading, and science to meet state standards.
Keeping Attendance
Parents are responsible for keeping daily or weekly attendance records. Attendance records show the child receives the legally required number of instructional hours or days. These records need to be submitted to the school district at the end of the school year.
Achievement Tests or Evaluations
Students need to take standardized tests at specific grade levels or undergo evaluations by a certified teacher. Parents are responsible for scheduling these tests or evaluations and submitting the results to the state or local school district.
Home Visits
Some states require home visits by school district representatives or education officials. These people check on the homeschool setup and verify instruction is taking place in accordance with state laws.
Immunization Records
Parents are required to submit proof of their child’s immunizations, even for homeschooled students. These records are updated according to state health requirements and provided to the school district as needed.
Online Homeschooling with Legacy Online School
Legacy Online School is an excellent choice for homeschooling your children online. Our school has received a prestigious award for the best curriculum. You can learn more about this award and what helped our school earn it here.
Our school meets the requirements of various states and does not impose many demands on students. Legacy Online School has certified, skilled teachers from diverse cultural backgrounds. Many of these teachers have over 5 years of teaching experience, and some even more than 20 years. We are proud of their dedication to quality education and strong student support.
Enroll in our school and provide your child with a quality education without the need to meet complicated requirements!
Conclusion
Homeschooling offers many advantages, and thousands of parents around the world choose this form of education for their children. Parents check their state’s requirements to understand what will be expected of a homeschool student. Legacy Online School does not impose many requirements on students. Our school is happy to help everyone achieve a competitive level of education in accordance with the high standards and laws of any state.
