Online homeschooling in North Carolina.

North Carolina State Homeschooling Requirements

• Answer:

  In 2009, homeschooled students in North Carolina were estimated to number more than 77,000, according to the state's Division of Non-Public Education, the agency that oversees home education. North Carolina law defines a homeschool as "a non-public school in which the student receives academic instruction from his/her parent, legal guardian or a member of the household in which the student resides." Homeschools may choose to teach children from one other household, but more than two households schooling together fall under different requirements. Starting Out Parents or guardians must inform the state of their intention to homeschool any children who are at least seven but not yet 16. The Division of Non-Public Education recommends filing the intent form at least a month before you wish to begin schooling to prevent any delays. If your child will turn seven before June 1, the notice must be filed before the birthday. The notice of intent form must be accompanied by proof that the instructor (a parent or guardian) has a high school diploma or the equivalent. Accepted evidence includes a copy of a high school diploma, college degree or GED; a copy of a high school or college transcript that clearly states the month and year a diploma was given; or a letter on letterhead from an educational institution that states the month and year a diploma was awarded. Parents must give their homeschool a name and choose whether it is a religious or independent school. This choice has no bearing on instruction or curriculum; it is required only for statistical information. The notice of intent applies to the entire household, so only one filing is necessary, even if you subsequently add more children. Recordkeeping North Carolina homeschoolers must keep attendance records for each student, along with immunization records. Each student must be given a nationally standardized achievement test each year. The test can be of the parents' choosing but must cover English grammar, reading, spelling and mathematics. The law requires only that the test be taken but makes no judgments about the score. Attendance, immunization and test records must be kept on file in the household for one year. They are not sent in to the state unless the Division of Non-Public Education asks for them. Some families each year will be asked to send in their records, but if no request comes, the family complies with the law simply by keeping the records. Though it is not required by law, the Division of Non-Public Education asks parents to use the attendance form found on its website for ease of inspection if needed. Schedule The law requires North Carolina homeschoolers to operate "on a regular schedule, excluding reasonable holidays and vacations, during at least nine calendar months of the year.'' Other scheduling requirements are not included in the law, but the Division of Non-Public Education strongly suggests at least 180 days of schooling per year, five hours per day. The division can advise this schedule, but it cannot enforce it. If parents decide to put their children back into public school, move out of state or no longer have students, they must inform the state that their homeschool has ceased operation.