Is Homeschooling Legal?
February 26th, 2008
Yes, in North America homeschooling is certainly legal and is in fact becoming a more and more popular alternative for many families unhappy with the public school system. Although it is legal to homeschool your children, the government does require that you follow certain guidelines to ensure that your child receives a good education. Each state and province has its own homeschooling laws. The interpretation of these laws varies in different school districts. Also, keep in mind that homeschooling laws can also change every year.
Before you start homeschooling your child, be sure to check out the homeschooling laws that pertain to your locality. This will ensure you don’t stumble upon any bad surprises on the way. Making sure that you follow all of the homeschooling rules and regulation is crucial to ensuring that your child will not be negatively affected by their homeschooled status. Failing to meet certain legal criteria can have huge negative effects such as preventing your child from being able to apply to post graduate education or even losing your right to homeschool your child.
One great resource for parents looking for information on the legal issues with homeschooling is the National Home Education network. It has a listing of homeschooling state laws for each state. If you find the laws difficult to interpret, it may be a good idea to seek the help of an attorney. Another great place to find out more about homeschooling and legal issues is at homeschool support groups. Nearly every community has a homeschool support group where parents and children meet and share experiences and resources. Make sure you do your homework concerning the legal issues with homeschooling before you begin to homeschool your child. This will help to ensure the success of your homeschooling experience and eliminate nasty surprises that could hinder your efforts.
Entry Filed under: Miscellaneous