Quick guide on state laws

Jul 04, 2025

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Here’s a quick, state-by-state summary of homeschooling laws in the United States, outlining the key regulations in each state:

 

1. Alabama

 

  Notification: File with a church or private school.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: Curriculum of private school.

  Assessment: None required.

 

2. Alaska

 

  Notification: None.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: None required.

  Assessment: None.

 

3. Arizona

 

  Notification: Submit an affidavit of intent.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: Math, reading, grammar, science.

  Assessment: None.

 

4. Arkansas

 

  Notification: File an annual notice of intent.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: Core subjects.

  Assessment: None.

 

5. California

 

  Notification: File a private school affidavit.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: Must teach English, math, social studies, science, etc.

  Assessment: None required.

 

6. Colorado

 

  Notification: File an annual notice of intent.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: English, math, history, civics, etc.

  Assessment: Test or evaluation required every other year.

 

7. Connecticut

 

  Notification: None, but recommended.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: Basic instruction required.

  Assessment: None required.

 

8. Delaware

 

  Notification: File annually.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: None.

  Assessment: None required.

 

9. Florida

 

  Notification: Submit a notice of intent.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: Teach core academic subjects.

  Assessment: Annual evaluation.

 

10. Georgia

 

  Notification: Submit an annual declaration of intent.

  Parent Qualifications: High school diploma or GED.

  Subjects: Math, science, language arts.

  Assessment: Standardized test every three years.

 

11. Hawaii

 

  Notification: File a notice of intent.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: Teach core subjects.

  Assessment: Submit progress reports.

 

12. Idaho

 

  Notification: None required.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: None required.

  Assessment: None.

 

13. Illinois

 

  Notification: None required.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: Basic education in English.

  Assessment: None required.

 

14. Indiana

 

  Notification: None required.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: Must teach English for 180 days.

  Assessment: None.

 

15. Iowa

 

  Notification: Varies by type of homeschool (e.g., independent, with an umbrella school).

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: Basic subjects.

  Assessment: Assessment required depending on the option chosen.

 

16. Kansas

 

  Notification: Register as a non-accredited private school.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: Teach equivalent to public school.

  Assessment: None required.

 

17. Kentucky

 

  Notification: File a letter of intent annually.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: Teach core subjects for 175 days.

  Assessment: None required.

 

18. Louisiana

 

  Notification: File annually.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: Teach core subjects.

  Assessment: Annual progress reports.

 

19. Maine

 

  Notification: File annually.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: English, math, science, history, etc.

  Assessment: Annual standardized test or evaluation.

 

20. Maryland

 

  Notification: File annually.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: Teach core subjects.

  Assessment: Regular reviews by officials.

 

21. Massachusetts

 

  Notification: Submit an education plan before starting.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: Must cover all core subjects.

  Assessment: Regular evaluations.

 

22. Michigan

 

  Notification: None required.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: Core subjects.

  Assessment: None required.

 

23. Minnesota

 

  Notification: File an annual report.

  Parent Qualifications: Parent must meet teacher qualifications.

  Subjects: Core subjects.

  Assessment: Annual testing.

 

24. Mississippi

 

  Notification: File annually.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: None specified.

  Assessment: None required.

 

25. Missouri

 

  Notification: None required.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: Basic subjects for 1,000 hours annually.

  Assessment: None.

 

26. Montana

 

  Notification: File annually.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: English, math, social studies, etc.

  Assessment: None required.

 

27. Nebraska

 

  Notification: File annually.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: Basic subjects.

  Assessment: None.

 

28. Nevada

 

  Notification: File a notice of intent.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: Core subjects.

  Assessment: None required.

 

29. New Hampshire

 

  Notification: File annually.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: Basic education.

  Assessment: Annual evaluation or testing.

 

30. New Jersey

 

  Notification: None required.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: Must teach equivalent to public schools.

  Assessment: None.

 

31. New Mexico

 

  Notification: File annually.

  Parent Qualifications: High school diploma or GED.

  Subjects: Core subjects.

  Assessment: None.

 

32. New York

 

  Notification: Submit an annual Letter of Intent.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: Core subjects.

  Assessment: Annual evaluations or tests.

 

33. North Carolina

 

  Notification: File annually.

  Parent Qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent.

  Subjects: English, math, science, history, etc.

  Assessment: Annual standardized test.

 

34. North Dakota

 

  Notification: File annually.

  Parent Qualifications: High school diploma or GED.

  Subjects: Basic subjects.

  Assessment: Annual testing.

 

35. Ohio

 

  Notification: File annually.

  Parent Qualifications: High school diploma or GED.

  Subjects: Basic subjects.

  Assessment: Annual testing or portfolio.

 

36. Oklahoma

 

  Notification: None required.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: Core subjects.

  Assessment: None required.

 

37. Oregon

 

  Notification: File annually.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: Basic subjects.

  Assessment: Annual testing in certain grades.

 

38. Pennsylvania

 

  Notification: Submit notarized affidavit annually.

  Parent Qualifications: High school diploma or GED.

  Subjects: Core subjects.

  Assessment: Annual evaluation or standardized test.

 

39. Rhode Island

 

  Notification: File annually.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: Core subjects.

  Assessment: Annual evaluation.

 

40. South Carolina

 

  Notification: File with school district or association.

  Parent Qualifications: High school diploma or GED.

  Subjects: Core subjects.

  Assessment: None required if in association.

 

41. South Dakota

 

  Notification: File annually.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: Basic subjects.

  Assessment: Annual testing.

 

42. Tennessee

 

  Notification: File with the local school district or umbrella school.

  Parent Qualifications: High school diploma or GED.

  Subjects: Core subjects.

  Assessment: Annual standardized testing.

 

43. Texas

 

  Notification: None required.

  Parent Qualifications

  Subjects: Must teach reading, spelling, grammar, math, and good citizenship.

  Assessment: None required.

 

 

 

44. Utah

 

  Notification: Submit an affidavit of intent annually.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: None specified.

  Assessment: None required.

 

45. Vermont

 

  Notification: Submit an annual enrollment form and curriculum.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: Core subjects including English, math, history, science, and physical education.

  Assessment: Annual progress assessment.

 

46. Virginia

 

  Notification: File annually with evidence of achievement (like test scores or an evaluation).

  Parent Qualifications: High school diploma or GED.

  Subjects: Core subjects.

  Assessment: Annual standardized test or evaluation.

 

47. Washington

 

  Notification: Submit a declaration of intent annually.

  Parent Qualifications: College degree, teacher certification, or completion of a homeschool course.

  Subjects: Core subjects like math, reading, and science.

  Assessment: Annual assessment or standardized test required.

 

48. West Virginia

 

  Notification: Submit an annual notice of intent.

  Parent Qualifications: High school diploma or GED.

  Subjects: Core subjects.

  Assessment: Annual assessment required (standardized test or portfolio review).

 

49. Wisconsin

 

  Notification: File annually.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: Minimum of 875 hours of instruction covering basic academic areas.

  Assessment: None required.

 

50. Wyoming

 

  Notification: Submit an annual curriculum plan to the local school district.

  Parent Qualifications: None.

  Subjects: Must include reading, writing, math, civics, and other subjects.

  Assessment: None required.

 

Conclusion:

 

This list provides a state-by-state overview of the homeschooling laws, requirements, and assessments across the U.S. Some states, like Texas and Idaho, are more lenient with no notification or assessment requirements, while others like New York and Pennsylvania have stricter oversight, requiring detailed curriculum submissions and annual evaluations.

 

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