Legal/Homeschool Laws
Laws that regulate home education vary from state to state. It is important to understand the legal requirements in your state and to be aware of legislative and other legal issues that affect homeschoolers in your community. We've compiled resources that will help you become informed. Although homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, and the vast majority of homeschoolers face no problems, you may find that you need legal assistance at some point in your homeschooling career. We've compiled a list of resources to help you find the support you need. And if you'd like to become more involved in working towards homeschooling freedoms, we discuss some of the issues facing homeschoolers that we hope you find compelling.
State Laws
Read the laws regulating home education in Ohio and browse through the case law and legal opinions relating to those laws, along with government publications relating to homeschooling and summaries of the laws.
Forms
Which forms do you need to fill out? Where can you get them? Here is a list of useful forms for homeschooling in Ohio.
Legal Support
If you need legal information or have run into a legal situation regarding your decision to homeschool, these resources will be helpful.
Lobbying Groups
A listing of local and national lobbying groups and information on how you can become involved in the political process to ensure the freedom to homeschool is protected.
Attorneys
When searching for an attorney, it is helpful to know whether he or she has experience working with homeschoolers and is interested in protecting the right to homeschool.
Legal Issues
Is homeschooling legal? Which laws pertain to homeschoolers and which don't? How do homeschoolers protect their rights to freely educate their children and to preserve their privacy?
Government Resources
A listing of local and state government resources, including your state's Department of Education, school districts, and Senate and House of Representative information.
What's Popular
3301-34-01 Definitions.
The following terms are defined as they are used in this chapter.
(A) "Certified teacher" means a person who holds a valid Ohio teaching certificate, excluding the certificate issued under section 3301.071 of the Revised Code.
(B) "Home education" means education primarily directed and provided by the parent or guardian of a child under division (A)(2) of section 3321.04 of the Revised Code which child is of compulsory school age and is not enrolled in a nonpublic school.
(C) "Parent" means a...
Ohio State Statutes Related to Home Education
Includes all of the state code related to homeschooling in pdf format.
Home Education Notification Form
A sample home education notification form for the state of Ohio.
Sample Answers to #6 and #7 on Home Education Notification Form
Brief outline of intended curriculum and abbreviated list of materials to be used.
3301-34-04 Academic assessment.
(A) The parent(s) shall send to the superintendent an academic assessment report of the child for the previous school year at the time of supplying subsequent notification.
(B) The academic assessment report shall include one of the following:
(1) Results of a nationally normed, standardized achievement test.
(a) Such test shall be administered by:
(i) A licensed or certified teacher; or
(ii) Another person mutually agreed upon by the parent(s) and the superintendent; or
(iii) ...
3301-34-05 Remediation.
(A) If the annual academic assessment indicates that the child is not demonstrating reasonable proficiency, the superintendent shall notify the parent(s) in writing that an appropriate plan of remediation shall be submitted by the parent(s) to the superintendent within thirty days after receipt of such notification.
(B) During remediation the parent(s) shall submit a quarterly report to the superintendent which includes:
(1) A written narrative evaluating the child's progress, including an...
Ohio Home Education Notification Form
Home Education Notification Form provided by Erie Islands Homeschool Association (EIHSA).
So... Your District is After "Bad" Homeschoolers
No doubt, school districts have a sincere desire to do their very best for children in their jurisdiction and, indeed, there are parents who are using homeschooling inappropriately. But consider this has always been the case. It remains that making it more difficult for good homeschoolers will not discourage bad homeschoolers. This same argument is often used when truancy is used against homeschoolers. Frankly, this is a very flawed argument: bad laws do not discourage bad people - they only int...
Challenges
This page contain information and fact sheets regarding challenges to homeschooling rights in Ohio and what you might do if challenged. Includes information on dealing with an exceeding school district, truancy, who to notify, parti-time participation, and more.
Home Education Notification Form
Use to notify the superintendent of your local school district, city, or county of your intent to homeschool.
Home School Textbook and Curriculum List
Home School Textbook and Curriculum List as required by O.A.C. 3301-34-03 Notification Section 6 and 7; for informational purposes only.
Using the District-Created Form
You do not have to use a form of any sort for notification. The manner in which you present the notification information is entirely up to you. Just be sure all required information is provided.
It is suggested that parents, under no circumstances, use the forms provided by their districts since these are likely to contain word changes that alter the regulations in whole or in part. Provide your information on either the "state-generated" form which you may obtain from any homeschooling group,...
Ohio State Regulations
A brief summary of the laws regulating home education in the state of Ohio.
3301-34-03 Notification.
(A) A parent who elects to provide home education shall supply the following information to the superintendent:
(1) School year for which notification is made;
(2) Name of parent, address, and telephone number (telephone number optional);
(3) Name, address, and telephone number (telephone number optional) of person(s) who will be teaching the child the subjects set forth in paragraph (A)(5) of this rule, if other than the parent;
(4) Full name and birthdate of child to be educated at...
Work Permits
The Department of Commerce (through legislation passed recently) has made the process for minor work permits more standardized. The forms can now be printed off their website and simply turned into the school district in which you reside.
Looking for Another State?
Featured Resources
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Home Schooling from Scratch : Simple Living, Super Learning
Parents learn what they really need, how to find or create materials and opportunities for less money, and how to organize their household for economical, happy learning.
The Outdoor Life of Children: The Importance of Nature Study and Outside Activities (Charlotte Mason Topics - Volume 2
The methods of Charlotte Mason are popular among homeschoolers. She includes nature study as a crucial element. This work explores the idea of the outdoors as a classroom for children, and gives tips on ways of teaching the sciences, history, literat...
Montessori Method
This book is Montessori's own exposition of the theory behind her innovative educational techniques. She shows parents, teachers and administrators how to "free a child to learn through his own efforts".
Crash-Proof Your Kids: Make Your Teen a Safer, Smarter Driver
Every year, six million sons and daughters will become first-time drivers. Fifty-eight percent of them will be involved in a car accident within a year of getting their license, and a significant portion of these crashes will be fatal. But here's the...
Miserly Moms: Living on One Income in a Two-Income Economy
Save Thousands of Dollars a Year Jonni McCoy and her family are proof that you live on one income. The McCoys made a successful transition from two incomes to one while living in one of the most expensive parts of America: the San Francisco Bay Area...