An increasing number of parents in the United States want their children to be homeschooled instead of following the conventional educational way that mandates children to study inside a school and classroom setting. But several questions are made regarding the legalities and regulation of homeschooling practice in the United States.
Is Homeschooling a Legal Practice?
Yes, it is. Homeschooling remains legal in all the 50 states throughout the country for almost 25 years up to now. In fact, approximately 2 million U.S. students receive education through homeschooling. That’s around 3.4% of the entire country’s student population.
While homeschooling is legal all throughout the 50 states, regulations and laws per state greatly vary. Interpretations of the homeschooling law also vary from each school district. Homeschooling laws per state can also evolve and change each year.
Basic Provisions of Homeschooling
State laws on homeschooling commonly cover six provisions which form the basis of the entire homeschooling law for that particular state. Here’s a quick run-down:
- Homeschooling Notification Requirement – Most states require you to alert their local school districts about their decision to homeschool your kids. 11 states do not have this provision.
- Exemption from Learner Assessment – Homeschooled kids aren’t required to undergo learning assessment. This is true for almost all states.
- Subject Coverage – Most states require parents like you, to include state-mandated subjects to teach your children. But there are no provisions for checking if the subjects are indeed taught.
- Minimum Parental Education Requirement – States will only require you to be either “capable” or “competent” to teach your kids at home. No formal education requirement is needed.
- Criminal History – If you have criminal records, you are not allowed to homeschool your kids. In Arkansas and Pennsylvania, households with persons holding criminal histories other than the kid’s parents aren’t allowed to homeschool as well.
- Immunization – Almost all homeschooled children aren’t required to have complete immunizations. Your kids might need them tough.
Resources to Get More Information on U.S. Homeschooling
As potential parents to homeschooled children, you are encouraged Parents who wish to homeschool their children are highly encouraged to study resources. This allows you to learn more about the law for the state they live in.
The National Home Education Network is one such source, containing information about all homeschooling state laws and pertinent homeschooling legalities. Online resources containing information about local homeschooling laws are also available in state education department websites.
It’s best to go through these legalities with a qualified attorney so that he can interpret legal terms and help you understand better. This will ultimately lead to an informed decision for you, all in the name of quality education for your children.