Homeschooling Requirements By State

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.

Overview of Homeschooling Requirements

Different states have different requirements for homeschooling children. Let’s explore these requirements and the key aspects of homeschooling.

Key Differences Across States

All states allow homeschooling for children, but the age at which a child must begin schooling, the required subjects, teacher qualifications, and many other aspects vary.

Legal Frameworks Across States

Some states require strict reporting to monitor how children’s education is progressing at home, while others have more relaxed requirements.

Framework Breakdown

Visit the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) to understand the homeschooling requirements specific to your state.

Curriculum and Subject Standards

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.

Standardized Testing and Evaluation

Homeschooled children get diplomas only when they demonstrate they have completed the required education and their knowledge has been properly evaluated. Parents of homeschooled children use the following testing and evaluation methods:

• Standardized tests (Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), American College Testing (ACT), etc.)
• Testing from specialized organizations

Testing Requirements

Each state has different testing requirements for homeschooled students. Some require annual standardized tests, while others allow portfolio reviews or periodic assessments to track progress. Visit the HSLDA to understand these requirements.

Implications for Families

Transitioning kids to homeschooling requires parents to remember the following:

• Legal requirements and state regulations
• Time commitment and daily schedule management
• Curriculum selection and customization
• Socialization opportunities for the child
• Financial costs of materials and resources
• Their role as the primary educator
• Tracking and documenting academic progress

Registration and Recordkeeping Essentials

Parents who choose to homeschool their children must remember the importance of registering their homeschool and maintaining proper recordkeeping.

Registration Procedures

Parents use state-specific registration guidelines. These guidelines give answers to many questions. These guidelines often require submitting a notice of intent to homeschool or registering with a local school district. 

Recordkeeping Tips

We compiled seven tips for parents to follow when keeping homeschool records:

1. Track daily attendance and lesson plans
2. Keep a portfolio of completed work and projects
3. Save copies of test scores and assessments
4. Record progress in each subject throughout the year
5. Maintain a log of books and educational resources used
6. Keep copies of any correspondence with educational authorities
7. Organize all records by school year for easy reference

Support and Resources for Families

We made a list of useful tools and resources to make your homeschooling better.

Reading and Vocabulary

• ReadTheory
• SpellingCity
• Epic!

Writing and Grammar

• Brave Writer
• No Red Ink

Math

• Prodigy Math
• CK-12

High School

• Homeschool.com
• Homeschool Tracker

Utilizing Local and Online Support Groups

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.