We have lived in Louisiana since we started homeschooling, and the homeschool laws here are very lax. We get to choose if we want to choose the private school method (we just file a letter of intent to teach 180 days- no standardized testing of any kind required), or private school method (we have to report what curriculum we are using and either have a standardized test once a year or have a carified teacher sign off that we are doing things right). We have been using the private school method making up our own curriculum piecing together what works best for each child and combing what we can- this will be our 4th year. Now my husband has been offered a supervisor position with a grocery store chain he works at, but we do not know what state yet. It is possible that is may be Arkansas. They seem to want to know more of what curriculum you are using and make you take your child for the standardized test for their grade levels. I guess I am sort of rambling right now, without a specific question yet...
Relax, anywhere you go you will be fine. Just keep ahead of yourself.. but I think Texas and California have the best HS laws..
If it helps at all we live in NYS. It is one of hardest states to hs in. But, we have to give a letter of intent, the materials we are using, state testing, report cards, attendance, etc... As long as you send the information they don't bother you at all. I just write on my calendar when it is done and that is it. Everything is send certified mail or I bring it to the District Office and have them stamp it received and dated then I have them make me a copy. So, don't stress. You may have a little more leg work but it will all be okay where ever you wind up.
PA has really scarey looking laws, lots of hoops to jump through, but once you wrap your head around them they really aren't like flaming hoops, and I kind of like the laws, it keeps me from being too much of a slacker
California is so-so. But yes, TX, OK, MO and a few others are great. NO, government involvement! I live in AR now but have been in the others I listed too. I do not do as the "law" says though as I believe that schooling our children is what the Lord says for us to do and we are to answer to Him, not an ungodly government. Our children are not "Caesars".
Here is a state law map. The green states are the really good ones! http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp
AZ is great!! The only thing I had to do was to fill out and submit a letter or intent with their birth certificates. I report to no one, and no one ever contacts me for any information about their schooling. I do what works best for use, and it works out just great. Now according to the intent letter I signed I do agree to provide instruction in the areas of Language Arts, Math, Social Studies and Science.
Thanks, guys Yes, as I am mulling it over more and more, I am seeing that it may nort be the worst thing in the world to be a bit more organized than I am now
Ok, just when I was getting ok, we just got word that we may be moving sooner than we though, like next week or so!!!!!! It will be in Arkansas, so my question now is what sort of test do they require. How do I find these things out? I found the basics of the homeschool laws for the state, but do I find out where to go to do the letter of intent, etc. Should I just go to the local school board once I am there? Also it is saying I will have to provide a basic idea of the core curriculum I am using. I piece together, and use a lot of library materials, not real "curriculum." What do I write for that?
Go to HSLDA website and they will tell you all the laws for the states. Hang in there I am sure it will work out. Hopefully someone from Arkansas will come on and tell you how easy it is there too.
