6 Things You Need to Know About Homeschool Requirements and Laws

One of the main things you’ll need to work out when you’re learning how to start homeschooling is what homeschool requirements and laws apply to you. In some ways, they will impact your homeschool efforts. There may be requirements about how to withdraw from public school, what records you may need to keep, any testing you have to do, mandatory subjects, etc.   

It's important that you are familiar with your homeschool requirements and state laws. Find out 6 things you need to know before you start homeschooling!

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6 Things You Need to Know About Homeschool Requirements and Laws

If you’re just getting started homeschooling, know your homeschool laws. Even if you a veteran, be sure you know them well so you can accurately advise the new families who look to you for guidance.

 Here’s what you need to know about homeschool laws:

1 – Every state has different homeschool requirements.

Homeschool laws can vary significantly from state to state. What applies to your friend in California may not necessarily apply to you if you’re in Oregon. It is essential that you are familiar with the laws in YOUR state

2 – Following homeschool laws is important.

In many states, ignoring the homeschool requirements specified by your state laws can make you truant, the consequences of which also vary by state. Although there are some differences of opinion on this point, and this article is obviously not legal advice, I believe that we should follow any reasonable homeschool laws for two reasons:

A) The biblical principle of obeying governing authorities.

B) Not complying with state homeschool laws can lead to increased regulation and requirements, becoming even more burdensome to the homeschool community.  

3 – There is a lot of misinformation out there.

When you’re searching online to figure out what the homeschooling requirements are in your state, you’re likely to run into a lot of wrong information. Curriculum companies, blogs, and other sites will publish information about homeschool laws and may get it wrong or become outdated. It’s even more of a problem on social media. 

4 – Find reliable sources of information and stick to them.

With all the misinformation out there, there are definitely some good places to go to look for homeschool requirements. Here are the two places I recommend :

A) HSLDA – Among other helpful services to homeschoolers, the Home School Legal Defense Association keeps an up-to-date summary of homeschool laws in every state. You can find yours here.  If you see someone online asking questions about requirements that are likely state-specific, be sure to point them to this resource. 

B) Your state homeschool organization – Not every state has a state homeschool organization, but those who do provide invaluable service to the homeschoolers in their state. Many of them not only keep detailed information about state homeschool laws, but often work to monitor the legislature to go to bat for homeschool freedom when bad bills are introduced.

Some organizations also host annual state homeschool conferences, online resources and tools, regional events, and more.  Click here for a list of several Christian state homeschool organizations. If you don’t find one there, search for “<your state> homeschool organization” online. 

5 – Protect your homeschool freedom.

It is legal to homeschool in every state in the U.S. Although some states have heavy homeschool requirements and others have few, we can never take those freedoms for granted. HSLDA and state organizations work hard to make sure that we continue to be able to homeschool with as little government interference as possible… and the attempts to limit those freedoms happen every year.

Even if you are in a low-regulation state, consider getting involved with your state organizations and getting to know your legislators. Although I am happy to see so many people considering homeschooling during this challenging time in our nation, that influx and the variety of ways groups are handling may very well lead to a surge in proposed homeschool regulations. We need to be alert!

6 – Enjoy the flexibility of homeschooling!

Although it’s important to follow the homeschool requirements in your state, don’t let that keep you from enjoying the freedom and flexibility of homeschooling! You don’t have to replicate public school at home, sign up for government-funded online schooling options, or even do what some other homeschool mom is doing. Stretch your legs and design your homeschool around your family’s needs and unique personality.  

 

Have a great homeschool year and enjoy the journey! ~ Tauna

 

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This Post Has 25 Comments

  1. Janelle B

    Thank you for this info and giveaway

  2. Kristie G.

    Thank you for an awesome giveaway and informative blog post.

  3. Michelle

    Thanks for all the great info! It can be so confusing when you 1st start homeschooling!!

  4. Laurel

    Rainbow Resource is my favorite. HSLDA is a great organization to help ensure homeschoolers know their rights as well as the regulations they must follow.

  5. Elizabeth P.

    Such great information. I’m a new homeschooler, so this was really helpful. Thank you!

  6. CS Christensen

    Thanks for this information. Especially as many new homeschoolers coming on board. Thank you for giveaway.

  7. Tip

    Timely giveaway and such uncertain times. Thanks

  8. Megan R.

    Yes! This is so good! Thank you

  9. Margaret Hadam-Hay

    It was nerve wrecking to start home schooling, to make sure we were “doing it right”. In Illinois, there are no major requirements and rules (though I see that probably changing after this year), that I couldn’t believe there was nothing to report, register, etc.

  10. Catherine

    Awesome giveaway and post!

  11. Tara E

    Thanks for the awesome giveaway

  12. Joy H.

    These are excellent things to remember and to check into.

  13. Holly H.

    What an awesome giveaway. I definitely encourage new homeschoolers to read their state statutes as well, in addition to relying on homeschool organizations in understanding their state’s homeschool requirements.

  14. Megan Whitcher

    Thank you for posting so much helpful information. This is our second year homeschooling. Loving it so far!

  15. kylie

    Excellent information, sometimes I do take for granted the freedoms I enjoy in my state. I hope and pray that more areas will be more open to homeschooling and supporting parents right to educate their own children.

  16. Amy

    I love #6 about enjoying the flexibility of homeschooling! So true! Thanks!

  17. Teresa

    I actually emailed our school contact (the person who accepts our paperwork for the year) and told him to feel free to pass along my email to families that may have questions. Our schools are pretty homeschool-friendly here, but are still not sure what they are doing come fall. I know speaking with someone who has gone before me can be so helpful when I am not sure what lies ahead.

  18. Kristi Aseltine

    Spot on, Tanua! Great info for new homeschool families. Great reminders for veteran homeschool families.

  19. Kimberly Collins

    Great Information

  20. Shannon

    Great information! Thank you for the helpful links too!

  21. Alexandra David

    Thanks for all the information.

  22. Ariel S.

    I’ve been studying our state laws like a nut! We live in Pennsylvania and the laws are a bit more in depth here, but homeschool is still SO worth it to us! Thank you for this post! Can’t wait to see who wins the giveaways!

  23. Brittany

    Such wonderful info! Thank you so much for sharing!

  24. Tracy

    HSDLA is a must.

  25. Nadine

    Thank you, Tauna, for this post and the giveaway. It is so important that we operate from a standpoint of knowledge on these things. God bless you!

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