Laws for Homeschoolers

by Isabel Allen

ns of children in the United States are homeschooled. In fact, Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) projects that this number will reach over 12 million by 2015. The United States Constitution does not have specific laws concerning education; each state governs education and has its own laws concerning homeschooling. So, if you've considered homeschooling your children, you will only have to learn the laws for your individual state.

Laws on homeschooling vary from state to state. Each state has a mandate to provide an education for its students; many states delegate that authority to the state's Board of Education. It is ensured by the state Board of Education that every child receives an adequate education. The Equal Education Opportunities Act of 1974, a Federal law, was passed because of this mandate. By law, no state can deny any child an education based on their race, color, sex, or national origin. In other words, within every state, every child is guaranteed an education.

It is ultimately up to the parent to choose where their child will attend school - whether it be a public school, private school, or homeschool, since states cannot deny a child an education. Public schools are regulated by the state, as well as some private schools. However, there are often few regulations for homeschools, since a large percentage of homeschool families do so for religious reasons.

The requirement for children to attend school in some fashion during set compulsory ages is one state law that appears to be universal. However, these ages, may be different in each state. It just depends on the state's laws; some states require children to be in school from 5 to 17, others 7 to 16. You can search the internet, or contact HSLDA to determine what your state's compulsory ages are.

National Home Education Network, Home School Legal Defense Association, and other websites on the Internet, list the homeschool laws for each state. It would be advantageous to learn your state's laws if you choose to homeschool. You can go back to these sites to find the laws for the new state if you move to another state, especially if you are a military family who has begun to homeschool.

Military families often move several times throughout the length of a soldier's career. Many are choosing to homeschool because it is one way to guarantee continuity in their children's education. Rather than transferring a child from one school to another, often internationally, a military family that homeschools can continue their child's education without fear of negative impact.

Choosing to homeschool is not always an easy decision to make. However, it is legal in each of the fifty states. You may have to register your intent to homeschool with your local board of education or you may have to turn in portfolios. Whatever your state requires, just remember that you are allowed by law to homeschool your child, and that there are places to turn if you have questions.

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Click here for information about federal and state laws on homeschooling children.

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Tagged with: Home School • Homeschooling

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