Information on What is Required of Virginia Homeschoolers
Thinking about homeschooling in Virginia? Here are some details about what the state requires.
There are many reasons why parents may choose to take their child out of public school to homeschool. Homeschooling offers flexibility and control over education. Parents may want to homeschool because of religious reasons or because they feel public schools are inferior. Parents that travel may also decide to homeschool so that their children can see the world. Whatever the reasons for choosing to homeschool over a public school, you need to make sure you stay in regulations within the state in which you live. Here is a look at homeschool regulations in Virginia.
Homeschool Laws in Virginia
In the State of Virginia, there is a compulsory attendance law for all children in school ages (ages 6-18 years of age before September 30). Parents who decide to homeschool must file a notice of intent to homeschool each school year and meet certain qualifications. Parents must meet at least one of the following guidelines: parents must have a high school diploma or college degree, and submit an outline of their course of study in their letter of intent to homeschool. Parents must also agree to follow the curriculum that is pre-approved by the state of Virginia.
Another qualification that homeschooling parents must meet is that they must file an approved curriculum that shows what they intend to teach their child including math study and language arts study. A letter of religious exemption is also acceptable. A parent may also be a state-certified teacher and may homeschool as a tutor.
Other Guidelines
The intent of the parents to teach their children for homeschooling is important, but in Virginia, this is not enough. Testing must also be approved for all homeschooling families. Parents are required to submit results of standardized testing by August 1 of the following year. Children taking this option must score in at least the 23rd percentile. In addition, parents may be subject to an independent assessment by a certified teacher who will send a letter to the state. Another option for testing is that the parent may submit a portfolio outlining the course of study taken by the student. This is then reviewed by the state.
If you choose to homeschool your child and you live in Virginia, it is very important that you make plans for your child’s curriculum and submit the necessary paperwork to the state for approval. In addition, you need to make sure that you stay up to date on any changes each school year to make sure you are staying within the current homeschooling guidelines.
Find valuable information about homeschooling in Virginia at Home Educators Association of Virginia (HEAV) and the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). This website will provide you with the most current regulations at any given time.
