Homeschooling is a preferred choice for parents in the state of Vermont, especially for the families who want to educate their own children at their own home study office and be an active part of the process. During home education parents are responsible for choosing a curriculum that goes well with their child’s learning style, speed, and interests.
Below, we will understand together how homeschooling works in Vermont, what education laws are in the state and learn how experts at Legacy Online School can assist your family in this interesting journey.
Quick Takeaways
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Homeschooling is legal in Vermont, but an annual Notice of Intent is a must for families.
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Families in Vermont who homeschool their children for the first time must provide evidence of parent qualifications, like a high school diploma.
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Students must have minimum course of study, which covers subjects, like reading, math, science, history, and arts, and should cover 175 days of learning.
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Parents are responsible to submit an end-of-year assessment each year.
Vermont Homeschooling Laws
Homeschooling in Vermont is fully legal for the children between the ages of 6 and 16, but there are some education requirements that families need to consider.
One of the most important aspects of Vermont homeschool laws is to file a notice of intent each year with the Vermont Agency of Education. Parents who are trying out homeschooling for the first time should show a high school diploma or equivalent.
The homeschool program should include minimum course of study covering subjects like reading, writing, math, science, history, and some extracurricular activities, such as health, PE, fine arts. In addition to all of this, Vermont has the right to require annual assessments. These assessments can be in the form of portfolios, teacher report cards, some tests.
The Home Study Program is responsible for the parents to have compliance with the requirements.
The Enrollment Process of Homeschool in Vermont
Enrolling in Vermont homeschool is a simple process.
First, parents need to feel in a written enrollment notice, which includes child info, curriculum details, and parent qualifications.
Second, every family in Vermont who decide to homeschool should make sure that the chosen curriculum of online learning covers all the required subjects and some electives that match the child’s interests.
Third, home study families are responsible for tracking their children’s progress at the end of each school year with the help of tests and portfolios.
If you are seeking enrollment, be informed that the deadline to enroll in home study is March 1 – May 1. The submitted forms and documents must be sent online by gmail or fax, and the confirmation for enrollment takes approximately 10 business days.
Homeschool Curriculum and Requirements
There is not an exact curriculum that Vermont requires for homeschoolers, but the program should provide a minimum course with main subjects, electives, which should include PE, Health and Fine Arts, and some courses connected to the child’s future career choice.
Parents should make sure that the curriculum fits their child’s needs and at the same time meets Vermont home study standards.
Support and Resources for Vermont Homeschoolers
In Vermont, the homeschool families have lots of support from the state. For the children not to feel isolated Vermont offers lots of locals groups both online and offline that they can participate in and connect with the peers. For Vermont families there are also services from the local public school district to help with the educational process and organizations like the Home School Legal Defense Association, which provide legal help.
Assessments and Compliance
As stated above, parents must do yearly assessments to show student progress. This can be done in different ways, like portfolio reviews, teacher reports, some standardized test results.
All kinds of assessments should be submitted to the Vermont Agency of Education as proof of compliance. First-time homeschooling families are also required to submit independent professional evidence of their knowledge and capability to homeschool.
