How to Homeschool in Georgia

Homeschooling in Georgia is perfectly legal and widely accepted. There are, however, laws that you must abide by before beginning your homeschool journey in this state. Read a brief overview of the requirements below.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Declaration of intent to homeschool

1. The parent or guardian providing that instruction does need to have a high school diploma or a GED in order to teach. If any private tutoring is provided as well, that tutor must also have a high school diploma or a GED. There is no required amount or limitation on how much tutoring can be utilized.

2. A declaration of intent must be filed with the local school superintendent within 30 days of starting your homeschool. It needs to include the name and age of all involved children, the location where the homeschool will be held, and the time frame that the parents are considering as the school year. This declaration must then be filed annually by September 1. This report should be kept on file by the parent for three years, as it can be requested at any time during that time frame.

3. Keep in mind that the state law requires that all homeschool children must attend school for 180 days for at least four-and-a-half hours each day. Monthly attendance records must be submitted to the local superintendent by all homeschool parents. A written annual progress report is also required and must be submitted to the local superintendent as well.

4. Children are not required to start school until they are seven-years-old, so kindergarten requirements are not necessary in a homeschool. The exception is if any child under seven has attended a public school for more than 20 days. In this event, then all reporting and homeschool requirements are necessary for kindergarten children as well, since that child now must attend school by law.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to check with the Georgia Department of Education for the entire copy of laws required to follow.

Resources

• Official website of the Home School Legal Defense Association
• Website of Georgia Home Education Association

[reluctantexpert]

on 8/20/2008 While some district superintendents may expect a written annual progress report, submission is not required by Georgia Law. This item should be kept in the student file for the minimum three years, along with the results of state mandated academic standardized assessment testing, a copy of Intent To Homeschool and monthly attendence forms. It is also wise to keep copies of immunizations paperwork, medical and dental care records, and results of any outside academic or learning assessments in the same file.