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
Ohio Court of Appeals Rules in Favor of Parents
In Ohio v. Adaranijo, decided on July 18, 2003, the court held that "Of course, the state has a legitimate interest in protecting children from harm…[but] nothing in the domestic-violence statute prevents a parent from properly disciplining his or her child." The court went on to say, "Courts should be slow to intervene between parent and child. The criminal court is not the place to resolve petty issues of discipline. The domestic violence laws are meant to protect against abuse, not to punish ...
An Examination of the Regulations Regarding Home Education and 08 Schools
There is a measure of freedom for 08 schools but the greatest freedom is experienced by home educators. We, who choose to home educate, have the freedom to provide a schedule flexible to the family’s needs. We have the freedom to teach one day a week or five, or all seven. As long as we meet the required 900 hours, how we choose to do it is up to the individual family. We have the freedom to use whatever curricula we choose. Home educators have the freedom, to use the hours for whatever type of ...
Ohio State Regulations
A brief summary of the laws regulating home education in the state of Ohio.
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,...
Sample Answers to #6 and #7 on Home Education Notification Form
Brief outline of intended curriculum and abbreviated list of materials to be used.
Academic Assessment Report, Option #1 - Achievement Testing
Academic Assessment Report, Option #1 - Achievement Testing provided by Erie Islands Homeschool Association (EIHSA).
Home Education Notification Form Example
Example of a home education notification form.
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.
Recommended Procedure for Home Education Notification
A discussion of the procedure for notification of the intent to homeschool.
Ohio Home School Laws from HSLDA
The Home School Legal Defense Association provides a brief summary of the homeschooling laws in Ohio. Includes a link to a legal analysis of laws relating to homeschooling in Ohio.
Academic Assessment Report, Option #2 - Written Narrative
Academic Assessment Report, Option #2 - Written Narrative.
3301-34-04 Academic assessment.
(A) The parent(s) shall send to the superintendent an academic assessment report of the child for the previous school year at the time of supplying subsequent notification.
(B) The academic assessment report shall include one of the following:
(1) Results of a nationally normed, standardized achievement test.
(a) Such test shall be administered by:
(i) A licensed or certified teacher; or
(ii) Another person mutually agreed upon by the parent(s) and the superintendent; or
(iii) ...
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...
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.
Work Permits
The Department of Commerce (through legislation passed recently) has made the process for minor work permits more standardized. The forms can now be printed off their website and simply turned into the school district in which you reside.
Looking for Another State?
Featured Resources
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The National Parks of America
For tourists, family campers, and serious lovers of the outdoors, here is a big, beautiful, color-illustrated book that describes more than 50 national parks, sites, and seashores that stretch from Cape Hatteras on the Atlantic coast to the Grand Can...
Dr. Montessori's Own Handbook
A short, illustrated guide to the use of Montessori classroom materials. Describes how to set up a "children's house" - an environment for learning where children can be their own masters.
Cuisenaire Rods Multi-Pack
Grades Pre K & up. An economical way to bring rods into the classroom. Pack contains six sets of 74 rods, six trays with, and Teacher's Guide. For use with 12-18 students.
Greenleaf Press
Greenleaf Press is a small family-owned and operated publisher and supplier of quality books for children. They are committed to "twaddle-free", living books, and approach teaching history to children using biography and chronology. You will find sec...
Homeschooling: The Early Years: Your Complete Guide to Successfully Homeschooling the 3- to 8- Year-Old Child
Nothing beats seeking the voice of experience if you want to join the estimated 1 to 3 million parents who teach their children at home. Here's a guide that comes direct from the experts: a mother of two homeschooled, now-grown children and 83 homesc...