Legal/Homeschool Laws
Laws that regulate home education vary from state to state. It is important to understand the legal requirements in your state and to be aware of legislative and other legal issues that affect homeschoolers in your community. We've compiled resources that will help you become informed. Although homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, and the vast majority of homeschoolers face no problems, you may find that you need legal assistance at some point in your homeschooling career. We've compiled a list of resources to help you find the support you need. And if you'd like to become more involved in working towards homeschooling freedoms, we discuss some of the issues facing homeschoolers that we hope you find compelling.
State Laws
Read the laws regulating home education in Ohio and browse through the case law and legal opinions relating to those laws, along with government publications relating to homeschooling and summaries of the laws.
Forms
Which forms do you need to fill out? Where can you get them? Here is a list of useful forms for homeschooling in Ohio.
Legal Support
If you need legal information or have run into a legal situation regarding your decision to homeschool, these resources will be helpful.
Lobbying Groups
A listing of local and national lobbying groups and information on how you can become involved in the political process to ensure the freedom to homeschool is protected.
Attorneys
When searching for an attorney, it is helpful to know whether he or she has experience working with homeschoolers and is interested in protecting the right to homeschool.
Legal Issues
Is homeschooling legal? Which laws pertain to homeschoolers and which don't? How do homeschoolers protect their rights to freely educate their children and to preserve their privacy?
Government Resources
A listing of local and state government resources, including your state's Department of Education, school districts, and Senate and House of Representative information.
What's Popular
Part-Time Participation: Problems and Pitfalls
Discusses testing with school districts, Ohio Proficiency Tests, assessment options and filing procedures, and participation in school-offered testing.
3301-34-03 Notification.
(A) A parent who elects to provide home education shall supply the following information to the superintendent:
(1) School year for which notification is made;
(2) Name of parent, address, and telephone number (telephone number optional);
(3) Name, address, and telephone number (telephone number optional) of person(s) who will be teaching the child the subjects set forth in paragraph (A)(5) of this rule, if other than the parent;
(4) Full name and birthdate of child to be educated at...
Home Education Notification Form
A sample home education notification form for the state of Ohio.
Ohio Department of Education
This website serves as the official web presence for the Ohio Department of Education.
Challenges
This page contain information and fact sheets regarding challenges to homeschooling rights in Ohio and what you might do if challenged. Includes information on dealing with an exceeding school district, truancy, who to notify, parti-time participation, and more.
Home School Textbook and Curriculum List
Home School Textbook and Curriculum List as required by O.A.C. 3301-34-03 Notification Section 6 and 7; for informational purposes only.
Where should Ohio homeschoolers send Home Education Notification Forms?
Because of a recent change in wording in the Ohio Revised Code 3321.04, there has been some confusion as to where Ohio homeschoolers should send their homeschool notifications.
So... Your District is After "Bad" Homeschoolers
No doubt, school districts have a sincere desire to do their very best for children in their jurisdiction and, indeed, there are parents who are using homeschooling inappropriately. But consider this has always been the case. It remains that making it more difficult for good homeschoolers will not discourage bad homeschoolers. This same argument is often used when truancy is used against homeschoolers. Frankly, this is a very flawed argument: bad laws do not discourage bad people - they only int...
3301-34-06 Placement in school.
The school district of residence shall enroll or reenroll a child who has been home educated without discrimination or prejudice. The superintendent shall determine the appropriate placement of such child in accordance with section 3319.01 of the Revised Code. In making the placement decision, the superintendent shall consider:
(A) The child's most recent annual academic assessment report;
(B) Requiring the child to take any or all of the nationally normed, standardized achievement tests t...
Dealing With a School District Exceeding Its Authority
Every day we hear stories about districts which are exceeding their authority with respect to homeschooling regulations...and that's just the point. They are exceeding their authority. They are breaking the rules. We are expected to follow the rules and so should they. But, who will remind them if not us? Who will educate them regarding our rights and responsibilities and their own regulatory obligations if not us? Who will safeguard our rights to homeschool, according to the current regulations...
Home Education Notification Form
Use to notify the superintendent of your local school district, city, or county of your intent to homeschool.
Using the District-Created Form
You do not have to use a form of any sort for notification. The manner in which you present the notification information is entirely up to you. Just be sure all required information is provided.
It is suggested that parents, under no circumstances, use the forms provided by their districts since these are likely to contain word changes that alter the regulations in whole or in part. Provide your information on either the "state-generated" form which you may obtain from any homeschooling group,...
3301-34-02 Statement of purpose.
The purpose of the rules in this chapter is to prescribe conditions governing the issuance of excuses from school attendance under section 3321.04 of the Revised Code, to provide for the consistent application thereof throughout the state by superintendents, and to safeguard the primary right of parents to provide the education for their child(ren). Home education must be in accordance with law.
Academic Assessment Report, Option #2 - Written Narrative
Academic Assessment Report, Option #2 - Written Narrative.
Academic Assessment Report, Option #1 - Achievement Testing
Academic Assessment Report, Option #1 - Achievement Testing provided by Erie Islands Homeschool Association (EIHSA).
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Featured Resources
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The Living Page: Keeping Notebooks with Charlotte Mason
Charlotte Mason believed that children need to be trained to see, to have their eyes opened, in order to find joy in life. This work explains the value of using the method of writing in journals or notebooks, as derived from the expansive work of Cha...
For the Children's Sake: Foundations of Education for Home and School
Shows parents and teachers how children's learning experiences can be extended to every aspect of life, giving them a new richness, stability, and joy for living. Every parent and teacher wants to give his or her children the best education possible....
The National Parks of America
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How to Drive: Real World Instruction and Advice from Hollywood's Top Driver
Want your child to be the best--and safest--driver possible? This book is for you! Ben Collins is a professional driver and is a former Top Gear Stig driver. He offers strategies for increasing control and safety and to encourage fun and efficie...
They're Your Kids: An Inspirational Journey from Self-Doubter to Home School Advocate
For many people, their schooling was uncomfortable, tedious, and sometimes a waste of time and energy. This book offers the idea that the public school system is tragically flawed and that we are able to do better for our own children. Sam Sorbo, mom...