1. Start with Your State’s Department of Education
- Go to your state’s official Department of Education website.
- Search for “homeschooling” or “home education.”
- Look for:
- Notice of intent requirements
- Testing or assessment rules
- Recordkeeping expectations
- Required subjects or instructional days
- Withdrawal procedures (if leaving public school)
2. Check State Statutes
- Visit your state legislature’s website (often
legis.state.xx.uswhere “xx” is your state abbreviation). - Use the search tool to find the law sections related to “homeschool,” “home education,” or “compulsory attendance.”
3. Use National Homeschool Advocacy Sites
These offer easy-to-read summaries:
- HSLDA – Legal summaries by state (note: religiously affiliated).
- Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)
- National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI)
- A2Z Homeschooling – State-by-state breakdown with helpful parent commentary.
- Coalition for Responsible Home Education (CRHE) – Offers a more secular and reform-oriented view.
4. Connect with Local Homeschool Groups
- Join Facebook groups, forums, or co-ops for your state or region.
- Ask experienced families how they comply with local rules.
- Local knowledge is especially helpful for things like district-level interpretations or required forms.
5. Call Your School District (Optional but Helpful)
- Ask if there are any district-specific requirements or recommended procedures for notifying or withdrawing.
- Keep records of communications in case of future questions.
🔍 Tips:
- Always read the law yourself—summaries are great, but laws change, and interpretations can vary.
- Look for recent updates—especially in legislative session years.
- Print or save a copy of your state’s requirements for your records.
