Homeschool Requirements
Homeschool Requirements
The program requirement is that all students must be homeschooled.Students enrolled in public, private, or charter school programs will be dismissed without refund.
Here are the guidelines for homeschooling in the State of Georgia:
Each parent/guardian must decide which curriculum is best for their child.
You must submit a declaration of Intent by September 1st or within 30 days after a home study program is established.
You may employ a tutor.
Parents must have a high school diploma or GED.
The student must be evaluated at least every three years beginning at the end of the third grade. Records of such tests shall be retained by the parent/guardian.
Georgia’s home study law (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690) requires homeschool parents/guardians to provide a basic academic educational program which includes the five content areas below. You may also teach other content areas.
Mathematics,
English Language Arts,
Science,
Social Studies, and
Reading
Please note that the Georgia Cyber Academy and the Georgia Connections Academy are online public charter schools and are not affiliated with the home study program. These are not considered options for homeschooling.
The Georgia Department of Education has a very limited role related to home school. The Georgia Department of Education is only responsible for maintaining the Declaration of Intent records.
CLICK HERE to Submit an Online Declaration of Intent Form
The law requires 180 instructional days. Please use the actual date you begin teaching your child/children at home as the beginning date and count forward to the 180 instructional days limit. If your child/children began the school year in a public or private school, that time can be included as part of the 180 instructional days requirement. You can teach more than 180 days if you desire.
Once the child/children are officially registered as a home school student, you as the parent have similar rights and responsibilities of the Local Education Authority (District office). The parent is considered the superintendent, principal, teacher, and you can create and sign any document that relates to the educational needs of your child/children.
If you wish to return your child to public school, you may do so at any time. You can create a withdrawal form and give it to the local school. The local school must validate each content area your child/children took while being enrolled in a home study program. This validation process is unique to each district. If you have questions related to this process, please contact your local school district.
Testing
Students in home study programs shall be subject to an appropriate nationally standardized testing program administered in consultation with a person trained in the administration and interpretation of norm referenced tests. The student must be evaluated at least every three years beginning at the end of the third grade. Records of such tests shall be retained by the parent/guardian. Please note that the Georgia Milestones, End-of-Grade and End-of-Courses Assessments are not nationally standardized tests. Testing options will be available through ECA in April.