Finding the Home Schooling Requirements in Your State
Home schooling has begun to receive more and more support as a growing number of parents realize the benefits of home schooling. Home schooling has come a long way from its beginnings in the 70's and 80's when home schooling parents were threatened with jail and dragged to court on grounds of neglect. These days home schooling is accepted as a valid form of education. It is important that you know the home schooling requirements in your area. The laws vary from state to state but home schooling is legal in all fifty states of the United States, Canada, France, New Zealand and Australia.
State Policy
Because the law on home schooling requirements varies so much you cannot rely totally on word of mouth from people you know who are home schooling, especially if they live in a different state from you. Some state laws are very relaxed and there is no need to notify the local school district that you are home schooling your child. Others are moderate and some states are very strict when it comes to home schooling requirements.
For example in Idaho there is no home schooling requirement such as notifying the school board that you are going to home school your child. You as a parent are not required to have qualifications to teach your child. There are no home schooling requirements such as standardized tests that need to be submitted to the state. The burden is on the school board and not you to prove that your home schooling meets the requirements of a regular school.
Other states have different home schooling requirements depending what category your home school falls under. For example in California you have the option of qualifying as a private school. In this case the same subjects taught in public schools must be taught at home in English. An attendance register must be kept and a affidavit should be filed with Superintendent of Public Instruction yearly. However no teaching qualifications are needed. Roughly the same home schooling requirements apply if a private tutor is used. More freedom is available if the students follow a private school satellite.
In the end, it is important to check with your local school district in regard to the home schooling requirements in your area. Furthermore, if you move during the time that you home school your children, you will need to make sure you educate yourself with any regulation changes from one place to another.
