How to Homeschool in Kansas

Before you make your decision to homeschool in the State of Kansas, read this basic overview of the laws required of homeschoolers. Beginning a homeschool in this state is relatively easy, but you must be aware of the laws before you start.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Know that three different options for homeschooling are allowed in Kansas. You can first choose to run a non-accredited private school out of your home. This is a more traditional home school model, but when dealing with the State Department of Education, always refer to your school as a private school.
2. Keep in mind that you could also become involved with running a home school that is a satellite of an accredited private school, or high school aged children could qualify for a religious exemption from the State Department of Education. The religious exemption option only requires those involved to qualify according to the approved plan.
3. Understand that the accredited or non-accredited private school options require a competent teacher to be in charge, although no specific regulations are established that define "competent," and local school boards have no legal right to define it as well.
4. A non-accredited private school must register the name and address of the school with the State Department of Education, but no approval is necessary to begin homeschooling. It is a good idea to save a copy of this paperwork just in case the state loses the original.
5. An accredited private school has no paperwork requirements. A religious exempt student simply needs to complete any paperwork that is decided upon in the approved educational plan. Actual written record keeping is only required in the accredited private school option, and then the requirements entirely depend on the individual private school that is involved. Again, religious exempt students simply follow the plan that was approved by the state board.
6. Know that Kansas law does not require a child to attend school until they are seven years of age, so kindergarten is a choice in a home school situation.
7. Keep in mind that annual testing is not required in Kansas for homeschooled children. For religious exempt students, as always, any testing that is required is simply what is laid out in the approved plan. Accredited private schools may require a satellite school to complete testing, but that varies from school to school and has nothing to do with state requirements.
8. Know that basically, Kansas recognizes that parents have the primary right to oversee all aspects of their child’s growth and progress and life, and a child’s education falls under this right. Do realize that being part of a correspondence school or a virtual school does not allow you the right in Kansas to become a member of HSLDA.

Tips & Warnings

• This article is intended to be a basic overview of the homeschooling laws in Kansas. Consult the Kansas Department of Education for the full and exact wording of the laws.