Heck in my county in VA - we now get our "thanks" by email in a PDF and we can register/file our intent online. This year we got a letter asking about Jake and I called and said I sent it in with Alexis's and they looked up her papers and said "OOPS - it was stuck" - laughed it off and apologized for the "rude" form letter. Super nice in this county and super easy to deal with. Huge support groups as well depending on where you live.
Wa is pretty easy. We are required 180 days or 1000 hours...I do 180 days. Then when your kids reach the age of 8, we have to fill out a letter of intent every year and have it turned in by Sept 15th, Aand they have to be tested or assessed every year once they turn 8. I do the assesment because we are all over the board on grade levels and it is easier since I can tell them what grade level they are at in each subject and then they are tested accordingly. You can also pick which subjects to have them assessed in, you dont' have to pick all of them. I have never had any trouble and I think it is pretty easy here.
GA is a piece of cake. I have to send a Declaration of intent at the beginning of the year, send in attendance forms once per month (I do this on-line), which have never been checked or questioned, I have to complete 180 days per year and am required to do standardized testing every 3 years beginning in 3rd grade. In 7 years none of this has ever been required, checked, or asked for. They don't call, e-mail, or bother me in any way.
Yes, to homeschooling legally you need to comply with regulations set forth in special provisions in the state law creating an exception to the compulsory attendance laws. This is my point. Without such provisions and compliance with the regulations, homeschooling itself is illegal. It is because homeschooling is otherwise illegal that states have had to create laws to legalize it. In other words, the state gives special permission to do something that would be otherwise illegal.
Same with guns, traffic laws, and every other law out there...you ARE allowed to do things...if done the way the law is....thus, if done correctly, it is NOT illegal.
Try driving without a license...legally. A license is permission from the state to do something that would otherwise be illegal to do...or else you would not need permission because it would be legal. Like homeschooling, to get a driver's license, you have to comply with and satisfy regulations or else it is illegal. I know it sounds like double talk, but the law does not work quite the way people believe it does or even as it should. Technically, homeschooling laws do not make homeschooling itself legal, they merely permit the states to give permission for certain individuals to be an exception to their compulsory attendance laws.
Lol, Seeking, I think I'm the only one who can see where you're coming from! Hunting is another example!
Missouri No, I see her point. lol I copied/pasted from another answer and changed a little to suit MO... If your child has never been in school you do not have to register with anyone. For those in a school already, the school only needs a letter of intent telling them you're pulling them out to hs. After that, the only record keeping you need to do is simply track your hours and only after they turn 7. IF anyone from the state dept of education ever knocked on your door, you'd have to prove your child(ren) are in attendance for 1000 hours in each 12 month period (of your choosing). And just about anything counts... even family game night (dice = math). I've known of no one who has been asked. No submitting curriculum, lesson plans, no testing. Of course, I keep detailed records for myself and the kids, but nothing is required by the state.
Well, if you are satisfying your state's regulations regarding homeschooling, the state is permitting you an exception from the compulsory attendance laws, which has precedence.
NY looks complicated but it is really easy...900hrs elementary/990 for 7-12 but you can count pretty much everything you do including Sunday School so most people blow the min requirement out of the water when they sit down to think about it. You do need to submit a list of what you are teaching at the begining of the year (you can just list curriculum & subjects), and then quarterly reports...summary of what you did for the past quarter. At the end of the year you need to submit an evaluation (written up to 4th, from 4th - 8th standardized test every other year in place of written, 9-12 standardized test). It looks like a lot of work but really takes me about 15 min. max per quarter. We do not have to keep a portfolio or anything like that. I actually like having to do the quarterlies since it keeps me on track.
I agree, GA isn't difficult. I've had no problems, except once, I was late sending in my monthly attendence form. I received a "nice" letter telling me I was in viloation of the Compulsory Attendence Law and that my files would be reviewed for possible court referral. I am currently in my 16th year homeschooling and this was my first (& only) time of being late with a form ( form was 4 days late ). I was a little taken aback by the tone of the letter. Thankfully, nothing came of it & all's well that ends well. LucyRicardo
Tough county! I have known some people to be two weeks late without a problem in my county but they now have a ten day policy I have been told by the BOE employee who files them.
SOS for high school? I am wondering what anyone thinks of SOS for high school? Many years ago, I was told it is not good. But in recent times, I have been told they have greatly improved. I am considering it for a couple subjects.
I think it is important to keep in mind that you will be coming from Texas. For me, having to register would bother me. Giving attendance records would really get to me, and having to potentially prove what we were doing would just be a no-way for me. The absolute worst would be having to get anything approved. I know some states you have to get permission to homeschool. Some make you get curriculum approved. Some can deny you that permission. Some make you hire someone to oversee your schooling. These are all things to consider. Since you are coming from TX, you will be accustomed to total freedom. So things that others have always had to deal with so they are ok with, might not be ok with you.
I don't know of any that makes you get the curriculum approved, or have to request "permission". But for me, keeping/submitting attendance records is over the top. Quarterly reports would be, too, I don't care how much it's not a big deal.
My dd says" its schoolish and um, yeah" she has used it for several of her classes in High School, the math is not fun though so use something else for that, but the rest of the subjects are good .... we like the history and geography a lot and the english is good too, I wish Ihad ds older one do it. He did BJU and Abeka at his old school and he realy did not improve his writting, spelling etc, I dont know why they did not wokr with him, OH YEAH he was at a private school during High school, Lol Sorry I answered your question and then some
Arizona is super easy, all I had to so was send in an intent to homeschool to the superintendent and we're done!
WASHINGTON STATE is easy too! We do the same as chicamarun, except we use the ITBS. It takes me 5 minutes or less to filll out our "letter of intent to homeschool". I've proctored ITBS tests for years, so that's a simple one for me, and my kids always ENJOY it! They think it's a fun break from their regular schoolwork! Oh, and we've NEVER had anyone check up on what we do. Easy-peasy!
