Quick guide on state laws

Jul 04, 2025

Pro tip on windows uae Ctrl + F and on Mac use Command F” to find your state

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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