Homeschool World Forum

*Angie* · User Joined: 18 Aug 2007 Posts: 8

I'm in New Brunswick, Canada. All that's required here is filling out an "intent to homeschool" and submitting to the school district. No testing, reporting, record keeping, etc is required. The government is pretty homeschool friendly, in that we're allowed to borrow a local public school's textbooks for a year, can choose to have our kids included in the provincial exams, and have access to standardized testing if we want it. The downside to homeschooling here, is that it's not a very popular option, so finding real-life support is difficult.
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laurabeth · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 11:36 pm Post subject:

SC has 3 options, through the district is the most difficult, and then option 2 is an association with a lot of requirements to them instead of the state (like standardized testing), but option 3 is fairly easy. With option 3 you join an association ranging from free on up (depending on benefits offered). You are required to do 180 days, teach reading, writing, math, social studies, and science (in 7th grade reading and writing become composition and literature), you have to maintain attendance records, daily or weekly journal of activities and subjects taught, and portfolio for each child with semi annual progress report. The association I am in requires a semi annual "checklist" for me to verify to them that I have done 90 days (mid-year) and 180 days (end year), but this only goes to them and all other records are seen only by me unless a problem arises. Also you must have a High school diploma or GED. With option 3 there is no required testing or hour per day requirement.

CoconutCookie · Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 2:33 pm Post subject:

I live in Pa, and though we have more requirements than others, it's not intolerable (though I would LOVE for the state legislature to finally pass the "evaluation" only law -- in which we'd only have to submit the evaluator's letter to the district at the end of the year), but it is a bit of a pain the the behind at times.

Some districts try to require more than the law requires, which is a huge problem for some, but I am lucky that our district follows the law so I have had no hassles Smile

I would love to live in one of the less rigid states, or to have Pa adopt some of the less strict policies.

Maybe someday Smile

(someday soon would be perfect, lol)

isamama · User Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Posts: 47

MT is easy; all that is expected is to notify then keep attendance, which doesn't have to be turned in. I learned this after I had been turning mine in.

NH, unless the law has changed since 95/96, requires either testing or evaluation by a certified teacher. I used a recommended hs friendly certified teacher and it was like having a friend over for a visit.

WY, from what I've read only requires that you submit a curriculum plan. It doesn't need to be fancy just a list of textbooks or scope and sequence.
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ncmom · User Joined: 13 Jul 2007 Posts: 324 Location: Eastern NC

The easiest US state is Alaska. According to the hslda website they have 5 options but if you choose to simply homeschool then they don't require anything. No notification or record keeping, nothing at all. If it just wasn't so darn cold there. Very Happy

elliemaejune · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 4:55 pm Post subject:

hmschooling · User Joined: 10 Jul 2007 Posts: 40 Location: Arkansas

AR is quite easy.
You file an intent to homeschool and do it. No records or logs. Standardized testing 3rd thru 12th. Child can't place more than 2 (I think) grade levels below his actual grade.

To withdraw mid-year, you give your intent and "have to" wait two weeks to take them out. They said we could take her out that day, she would just be counted absent in class without consequence.

I heard TX is the easier b/c you can just not go back to school or never go...no testing, no intents, no logs....nada.

riccalo · User Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 95 Location: United States

Michigan is an extremely home school friendly state and you have two options to choose from.

If you choose option 1 you (the parent or guardian) are only required by the state to teach children between the ages of 6 and 16 the following subjects; Reading, Spelling, Mathematics, Science, History, Civics, Literature, Writing, and English Grammar. There are no requirements to notify the state or school, seek approval, test, file forms, or have any certain teacher qualifications. There are no specific number of school days or hours mandated.

Option 2 is a bit strict. To operate a home school as a nonpublic school you need to adhere to the following. Subjects taught must be "comparable to those taught in the public schools". Have teacher certification (unless claiming a religious exemption. Submit notice, to the department of education and the local superintendent, at start of each school year a statement of enrollment. Maintain records of enrollment, courses of study, and qualifications of teachers (must be submitted to the Department of Education upon request). There are no requirements to test and no specific number of school days or hours mandated.

Here is a link to a more detailed analysis from the HSLDA website. http://www.hslda.org/laws/analysis/Michigan.pdf

-Erica

ArkansasHomeschooler · User Joined: 01 Mar 2008 Posts: 41

Decrease · User Joined: 18 Jan 2008 Posts: 125 Location: Verona VA

State laws by HSLDA are categorized in four categories. The easiest states they list include:

Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Idaho, Alaska, Connecticut, New Jersey.

The most strict states include:

North Dakota, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Massachusetts.

Virginia is one that has moderate regulations unless you approach it from the religious exemption clause, then there are fewer regulations.

lisalinnay · User Joined: 14 Jul 2007 Posts: 32 Location: Michigan

ArkansasHomeschooler · User Joined: 01 Mar 2008 Posts: 41

lisalinnay · User Joined: 14 Jul 2007 Posts: 32 Location: Michigan

Thanks! That's very helpful.
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JerbysMom · Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 9:36 pm Post subject: Indiana Homeschool law

I have to say Indiana has the easiest homeschool laws. All you do is let the DOE know that you're homeschooling by filling out an online form (name, address, phone number, that's IT). They assign you a number, and designate you as a "private school". You're supposed to keep track of attendance (180 days) just in case the state or local superintentdent asks for it, which probably won't happen. Other than that you're completely on your own. Homeschool kids are actually FORBIDDEN from taking state standardized tests.

4given · User Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 735 Location: S.Indiana

Did you inform the DOE as a courtesy? I'm in Indiana and I haven't seen anything that requires that.