Homeschooling in Georgia: How To Homeschool While Following State Laws

by Rita Onyx

This is meant to be a summary and NOT legal advice. It is your responsibility to interpret and understand the laws that you will be homeschooling under.

Homeschooling is becoming increasingly popular. Just in the last years alone, homeschooling rose up by 700%. What was once seen as old-fashioned and outdated is now a modern way to educate the next generation.

There are many benefits to homeschooling; it gives parents freedom in choosing the curriculums and subjects their children learn. Remote learning also ensures their children are kept safe, away from potential dangers like bullying or viruses in public schools. It’s a win-win situation.

Thinking of homeschooling your children too? Then follow this quick guide on how to homeschool your children if you live in Georgia. Know the Georgia homeschool state laws and regulations in your state so you can homeschool properly.

Quick Facts:

• There is one way to homeschool which is under the Homeschool Statute

• Children between 6-16 of age must be in school

• You must notify your local school district of your intentions to homeschool

• There ARE teacher qualifications

• There ARE state mandated subjects

• There ARE required assessments or testing

• There are NO immunization requirements

How to Homeschool Under the Homeschool Statute

• Homeschooling in Georgia is referred to as Home Study Programs

• The parent or legal guardian of the child must within 30 days of starting your home study program or by September 1^st submit a “declaration of intent to utilize a home study program” to the Georgia Department of Education

• Include:

1. names
2. ages
3. address of the home study program
4. local school system where your home study program is located
5. the 12-month period that you are making your school year

• Ensure that the program has the equivalent of 180 days of instruction with at least four and one-half school hours of instruction per day

• Include the mandated subjects such as reading, language arts, math, social studies, and science in the program

• Maintain annual progress reports and keep them for at least three years (they do not have to be submitted)

• After the student completes 3^rd grade have them tested at least every three years “in consultation with a person trained in the administration and interpretation of norm reference tests.” (they do not have to be submitted)

Helpful links:

https://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Pages/Home-Schools.aspx

https://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/non-public-education/regulation-map/georgia.html

Contact Information–State and Federal Departments of Education

• Georgia Department of Education
  205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE
  Atlanta, GA 30334-5001
  Phone: (404) 656-2800
  Fax: (404) 651-8737
  Website: http://www.gadoe.org/Pages/Home.aspx

• U.S. Department of Education, Georgia

This is meant to be a summary and NOT legal advice. It is your responsibility to interpret and understand the laws that you will be homeschooling under.