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3,917 students in Wyoming were homeschooled during the 2022-2023 school year, according to Wyoming Truth. This represents 4% of the K-12 students population.
Homeschooling is about saying goodbye to traditional schooling, where students need to set aside other tasks and attend school in person. This type of education allows students to learn from home.
What Are the Wyoming Homeschooling Laws?
The number of homeschoolers continues to grow today due to the advantages this type of education brings. Let’s look at the features of homeschooling in Wyoming.
Understanding the Basics of Wyoming Homeschool Law
Homeschooling in Wyoming has two options to legally homeschool. First option is homeschooling under Wyoming’s homeschool statute. Homeschooling will be run under control of the local school district.
Second option is homeschool as a parochial, church, or religious school. Parents can enroll their child in a church school with the opportunity to teach the child at home. Homeschooling will be run under the control of a religious organization or local church.
You can learn more at the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) website.
Key Requirements for Homeschool Families in Wyoming
Parents need to fulfill several requirements to homeschool their child. Let’s take a look at these requirements:
- Send a notification to the local school district
- Create a plan of lessons in required subjects and submit it to the local school district
- Submit curriculum to the local school district every year
Parents don’t need formal teaching qualifications to homeschool, but must follow local regulations. You can learn more about requirements at the Wyoming Department of Education website.
Who Regulates Homeschooling in Wyoming?
Homeschooling in Wyoming is regulated by the Department of Education through local school districts. Homeschooling curriculum doesn’t require alignment with Wyoming Content and Performance standards. Local school districts can recommend referring to these standards to achieve quality education.
How to Start Homeschooling in Wyoming?
Let’s look at how a family can start homeschooling in Wyoming.
Steps to File a Notice of Intent in Wyoming
Parents must file the letter of intent with the local school district before starting homeschooling. The letter usually includes basic school’s details. Some school districts have homeschool registration forms. You need to contact your district for details.
Choosing the Right Homeschool Curriculum
Successful homeschooling happens when parents choose the right curriculum and follow specific standards. We have detailed how to select the right homeschooling curriculum in this article. We explained how to work with standards, helping choose the correct subjects and programs in this article. Homeschool curriculum in Wyoming must include core subjects, such as Reading, Writing, Literature, Math, Science, History, and Civics. The curriculum needs yearly submission with the local school district.
Setting Up a Home-Based Educational Program
Homeschooled students usually have scores higher than public school students, according to the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI). Parents who choose home education can provide their child with quality education for future academic success. Parents of homeschoolers have the right to independently decide what the homeschooling curriculum will be.
Parents understand each child is different, and customizing their learning experience is the key. Homeschooling allows parents to choose or create a curriculum tailored to their child’s needs, with more flexibility in the subjects and pace of learning. Parents need to submit their educational program for the local school district to align it with the law’s requirements.
What Are the Graduation Requirements for Homeschoolers in Wyoming?
Homeschoolers can earn a diploma. Let’s look at what homeschoolers need to do to receive one.
Understanding Homeschool Graduation Requirements
Homeschooling parents decide when their child meets graduation requirements and can prepare their child for future education. There are no specific state-mandated courses for homeschool graduation, but many parents use the Wyoming Content & Performance Standards as a guide. Wyoming considers homeschooling as non-accredited private schools. This means the state doesn’t issue diplomas for homeschool students. Homeschoolers can earn diplomas in accredited homeschool programs or pass a high school equivalency exam.
Subjects Required for Graduation in Wyoming
Homeschool curriculums need to include Reading, Writing, Literature, Math, Science, History, and Civics. Homeschool students usually take standardized tests, such as American College Testing (ACT), in Writing, Language, Math, and Science for future education or career.
Preparing for Standardized Testing in Wyoming
Homeschool students who are participating in a school less than 50% of their educational time don’t require testing. Homeschool students are invited to participate in the state assessment free of charge. The Wyoming Test of Proficiency and Progress (WY-TOPP) assessment measures Language Arts, Math, and Science. Parents need to contact the local school district to get permission for their child to participate in the assessments.
What Resources are Available for Homeschool Families in Wyoming?
Homeschooling sometimes feels like a very isolating experience for the newbies. There are numerous support groups and materials to help parents. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Finding Support Groups for Wyoming Homeschoolers
Parents and students use local homeschool groups like Classical Conversations and online support groups like The Homeschool Mom Community. These groups provide families with support and help children achieve better results.
Accessing the Wyoming Department of Education
Parents stay in contact with the local district. Local school districts determine requirements for homeschooling programs and help homeschooling families to get information and support. Wyoming Department of Education provides state requirements and informational support. You can learn more from their website and explore their FAQ for homeschoolers.
Utilizing Online Resources and Curriculum for Homeschooling
Homeschooling curriculum works best with additional resources or support materials. Many schools providing homeschool curriculum contribute to the creation of a great learning process with the help of online communities, interactive tools, or extra materials. These resources simplify the learning process.
What Challenges Do Homeschoolers Face in Wyoming?
Homeschooling brings certain challenges families need to consider to ensure their children’s education is successful.
Each local school district can have their own requirement for homeschooling programs. Parents need to save copies or any correspondence with the local school district and keep track of their child’s achievements and work. Local schools don’t have to accept credits earned from a homeschooled program, so students need to participate in the standardized testing if they need to transfer back to local schools.
Addressing Common Misconceptions About Homeschooling
Legacy Online School’s team has covered these misconceptions and how to address them in detail in this article.
Dealing with Socialization Concerns for Homeschoolers
Homeschoolers have many opportunities for socialization, such as virtual clubs, events, and group activities. Students have different opportunities to socialize and develop skills outside of academics. Students can participate in activities like coding, as well as field trips and volunteer opportunities. Homeschooling helps to build a community where everyone helps each other in co-ops, support groups or local events.
