Homeschooling in Hawaii: 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 What was once seen as old-fashioned and outdated is now a modern way to educate the next generation.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 Hawaii. Know the Hawaii 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 5-18 of age must be in school

• You must notify your local school district of your intentions

• There are NO teacher qualifications

• There are NO state mandated subjects but there are recommendations

• There ARE required assessments or testing

• There are NO immunization requirements

How to Homeschool Under the Homeschool Statute

• You must provide a notice of intent before you begin homeschooling with the principal of the public school your child would have attended if they were enrolled in public school

• Include in the letter of intent:

1. Names
2. Address
3. Telephone number
4. Birth date
5. Grade level
6. Parent’s signature

• You can also choose to submit the notice with Form 4140 from the Hawaii Department of Education

• Although there are no subjects that are mandated your curriculum needs to “be structured and based on educational objectives as well as the needs of the child, be cumulative and sequential, provide a range of up-to-date knowledge and needed skills, and take into account the interests, needs, and abilities of the child.”

• Recommended curriculum includes:

a) Elementary school -math, language arts, social studies, science, music, health, and physical education

b) Secondary school – English, math, science, social studies, health, physical education, and guidance

• Maintain records of “planned curriculum” which should include:

a) Start and end date

b) Hours per week of instruction

c) Subjects

d) Assessment tools

e) List of textbooks and other instructional materials

f) Submit an annual progress report to your local principal

• Perform and submit results of standardized achievement tests for grades 3, 5, 8, and 10

• For all other grades annual progress reports can be one of the following:

a) Standardized achievement test score

b) progress on a nationally normed standardized test that is equivalent to one grade level per calendar year

c) A written evaluation by the parent that demonstrates progress

d) A written evaluation by a Hawaii-certified teacher

e) Results of Hawaii’s Statewide Testing Program

Helpful links:

http://www.hawaiihomeschoolnetwork.com/homeschool-programs-and-schools.html

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

Contact Information–State and Federal Departments of Education

• Hawaii Department of Education
  1390 Miller Street
  Honolulu, HI 96813
  Phone: 808-586-3230
  Fax: 808-586-3234
  Website: http://doe.k12.hi.us/

• U.S. Department of Education, Hawaii

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.