How to Research Homeschool Laws in Your State

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.us where “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.

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🔍 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.