| Each state has its own general requirements for | | | | curriculum that needs to be approved by the |
| homeschoooling students. There are four | | | | state, teacher qualification of the parents and on |
| categories of legal options for homeschooling. The | | | | some occasions visits by state officials to check |
| four categories are: states requiring no notice, | | | | the student's progress. These states include |
| states with low regulation, moderate regulation | | | | Washington, Utah, North Dakota, Minnesota, West |
| and high regulation.Many of the regulations include | | | | Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, Maine, |
| parental notification, test scores, professional | | | | Rhode Island and Massachusetts. These states |
| evaluation of student progress and curriculum | | | | have few requirements for the Kindergarten level |
| approval. Families shouldn't be scared off by the | | | | but the regulations become stricter at each |
| general requirements for homeschooling. There | | | | subsequent grade level.A parent is considered |
| may be some initial paperwork to handle but as | | | | competent to operate a homeschool if they |
| long as the teaching parent can keep good | | | | follow the individual state's regulations; they do not |
| records there shouldn't be andy fear of the state | | | | need to have teacher certification. The parents |
| stepping in and ordering your child back to public | | | | need to file a notice at their local school that they |
| school.The states that have no requirements for | | | | intend to homeschool in the low to highly |
| homeschooling do not require the parents to | | | | regulated states. Those that fall within the |
| initiate any contact. These states include Idaho, | | | | medium to highly regulated states will also need to |
| Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, | | | | keep attendance records, file quarterly reports |
| Michigan, Connecticut, New Jersey and the | | | | and a grade narrative for each of the subjects |
| territories of Guam and Puerto Rico. Parents are | | | | taught. Highly regulated states may require an |
| not obligated to contact the school districts to | | | | annual assessment at the end of the school |
| notify them that they will be homeschooling their | | | | year.The general requirements for homeschool |
| children.States that have low general requirements | | | | vary greatly from state to state. The parents |
| for homeschooling require the parents to notify | | | | should be well versed in the legal aspects of |
| the school district that they are homeschooling | | | | homeschooling before they decide to attempt it. |
| their children and nothing else. These states include | | | | Most parents will find that the red tape at the |
| California, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, Arizona, | | | | beginning is well worth it.To stay abreast of the |
| New Mexico, Nebraska, Kansas, Wisconsin, | | | | current trends, information and resources available |
| Kentucky, Mississippi, Alabama, Delaware, | | | | for homeschool parents, teachers and students |
| Washington D.C. and the territory of the Virgin | | | | subscribe to Homeschool Success News.If you |
| Islands.Moderately regulated states require parents | | | | need an online tutor, courseware or wish to offer |
| to send notification, test scores and provide a | | | | your services as a paid online tutor contact our |
| professional evaluation of the student's progress. | | | | website. Magic Learning Systems also provides |
| The states in this category include Oregon, | | | | excellent products to enhance the homeschool |
| Colorado, South Dakota, Iowa, Arkansas, | | | | experience for teachers and students. For |
| Louisiana, Tennessee, Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina, | | | | additional information visit the Homeschool |
| South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Maryland and the | | | | Success News website.Dr. J. Elisha Burke |
| territories of American Samoa and Northern | | | | Editor, Homeschool Success Newsletter |
| Mariana Islands.States with the highest regulations | | | | 2005 Burke Publications All Rights ReservedDr. J. |
| may be the most troublesome to parents | | | | E. Burke, Editor of Homeschool Success News, a |
| contemplating homeschooling. These states | | | | minister and college instructor, has been involved |
| general requirements for homeschooling stipulate | | | | in various educational and business enterprises via |
| parents have to send notification or achievement | | | | Burke Publications for 11 years. Dr. Burke is an |
| test scores, provide professional evaluations of | | | | educator, writer and motivational speaker on a |
| student progress as well as provide a written | | | | variety of topics. |