The issues facing homeschoolers today are fundamentally the same as 30 years ago when HEM was first published. While communication is easier the underlying social question is, can parents be trusted with their kids?

Our political positions will support this answer in the affirmative. But this is not always the case nor is it always easy to understand the best course of action. That is why staying informed is so important.

Homeschooling Freedoms At Risk

Originally published in the May-June 1991 issue of Home Education Magazine, Homeschooling Freedoms At Risk is a must read for anyone interested in the homeschooling community.

Taking Charge HSLDA Study: Embarrassing and Dangerous

This important Taking Charge column, by Larry and Susan Kaseman, ran in the July-Agust 1999 issue of Home Education Magazine.

So What About That Free Lunch?

“I take tremendous exception to the “great chance” proffered in any discussion of sharing school services or using alternative public school programs.”

National Organizations Supporting Homeschooling

An introduction to some of the national homeschooling organizations, associations, service groups, advocacy networks and special interest groups.

Staying Informed

Whether your group is a very locally centered, informal meet at the park group, a formal by-lawed – convention holding group, or an online network spanning the known universe, you are still dealing with the human relationships and impacting all homeschoolers freedoms.

Here is some food for thought from the pages of Home Education Magazine.

Being Part of the Homeschooling Movement – Larry & Susan Kaseman

“If you’re a homeschooler, you’re automatically a member of the homeschooling movement. There are no requirements or membership fees, but you can’t choose not to be a member either. Like it or not, if you’re a homeschooler, you’re part of the movement, and what you do affects other homeschoolers and your own future as a homeschooler.”

Let’s Put on an Information Night! – Carol Narigon

“Putting together a homeschool information workshop can be daunting the first time you do it. Once you’ve set one up, pulled it off, and learned whatever lessons you need to learn, it becomes much easier.”

Organizing a Homeschool Convention – Sherry Stacy

I believe there is a need for more local gatherings of homeschoolers to exchange ideas, pick up tips, and encourage each other along the journey. What better way to do this than at a local convention?

Time for Family Baseball – Earl Gary Stevens

“This has become one of our most enduring gatherings because, for five months out of the year, it is our weekly community meeting place where we chat, share snacks, fly kites, meet friends, check out the bulletin board, and even play baseball.

Group Activities for Teenagers – Cafi Cohen

Do-It-Yourself Group Activities for Teenagers

Homeschool Information Nights – Sue Patterson

Seeing each other all at once, encouraging new families beginning their homeschooling journey, sharing our ideas with each other… all made for a delightful homeschooling event.;

Organizing A Book Club – Rebeccca Rupp

Organizing Book Clubs for Parents and Kids.

A Successful Field Trip – Beth Ann Erickson

As I stood behind the group of children it became painfully evident that the majority of the people attending this event were as ill-prepared as my son and I.

Native American Home School Association – Gina Rozon

An interview with the founder of the Native American Home School Association.

The Support Group of My Dreams – Susan Grougan

Nice example of how this group runs

Homeschooling Gets Out of the House – Sandy Coleman

Shows the many things groups can do

Running A Support Group

Home school support groups, getting starting.

When HEM started the big new technological deal was a phone tree, then came a break through with fax tree! Today’s technologies make communication much more immediate and easy. But at the core support groups are still people working together for a common goal. At the same time, the issues homeschoolers face today are still fundamentally the same and connecting and maintaining our freedoms still rest in our hands.

The articles below, from the pages of Home Education Magazine, not only address core issue, both interpersonal and political, but they also will give you an historical perspective on how homeschooling got to where it is today.

What’s in a Name? – Ginny Hunt

Ginny Hunt examines the curious pickle homeschoolers have gotten into, where we must identify ourselves as what we are not, instead of as what we are, and thoughtfully suggests a solution.

Starting a Support Group – Carol Narigon

Carol shares the evolution and success of her local support group to help others who would like to start their own.

Getting the Support You Need Without a Formal Support Group – M. Roth

We enjoy spending time with each of these families. There is no newsletter, no announcements, no complicated organizing to do. We just call each other on the phone and extend an invitation.

Our Non-directed Support Organization

This essay, by Earl Gary Stevens, was originally published in the Talk About Learning column in the May-June 1995 issue of Home Education Magazine.

Starting a Group

Welcome to HEM’s Support Groups Pages

Homeschool support groups are the glue which holds the homeschooling community together. Through their newsletters, conferences, websites, discussion lists, weblogs and more, homeschool support groups and active individuals keep the lines of communication open, while offering information, resources, news and perspectives on homeschooling.

HEM has long recognized the valuable contributions of homeschool support groups and active individuals, and we hope these resources will help you locate, join, and volunteer to help your local support group or networking individual.

Access your state listing to the right to find contact information for state and local homeschool support groups. Contact Us to add your group or update your listing.

Welcome to HEM’s Support Groups Pages

This Alabama home school support groups listing was compiled by Home Education Magazine, with the assistance of the listed groups, to support homeschooling families in their communities.

Catholic Home Educators of Mobile, (CHEM); Jennifer Havard; CHEMobileATcatholicexchange.com

Central Alabama Resource for home educators, Suzanne Blickenstaff; Mi4Angels-at-aol.com

Christian Home Educators of Cullman, PO Box 421, Cullman, AL 35056; dklee-at-hiwaay.net

Dothan Home Learning Network, Michelle Cline, 334-673-8047; DothanHomeNet-at-hotmail.com

Elmore County Homeschool Organization, (ECHO), http://www.freewebs.com/onlineecho

Gadsden Christian Home Educators Support Group (G.C.H.E.), Denise Driskell, Membership Coordinator, PO Box 5273, Glencoe, AL 35905, homesweeths-at-hotmail.com, listserve: www.GCHE-at-yahoogroups.com

Home Educators of Alabama Round Table, (HEART); Donna De Poalo, 941-359-3628, Donna Knox, 205-755-8112

North Alabama Homeschool Forum, Alabama, http://northalhsforum.niceboard.com/index.htm

PEAK of Mobile (Parent Educators and Kids) http://peaknetwork.org/mobile

PEAK of Montgomery (Parent Educators and Kids) http://peaknetwork.org/montgomery

Alabama Support Groups

An overview of the homeschool laws and regulations of Alabama, along with links to legislative source information, additional reference materials and government resources on homeschooling.

Alabama State Legislature

Department of Education

Revised 9/1/82

CERTAIN LAWS AND STATE BOARD RESOLUTIONS THAT PERTAIN TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN ALABAMA (Excerpts from Code of Alabama 1975 to 1982)

16-1-11. Private schools to register and report. All private schools or institutions of any kind having a school in connection therewith, except church schools as defined in Section 16-28-1, shall register annually on or before October 10 with the department of education and shall report on uniform blanks furnished by the state superintendent of education, giving such statistics as relate to the number of pupils, the number of instructors, enrollment, attendance, course of study, length of term, cost of tuition, funds, value of property and the general condition of the school. (School Code 1927, Section 599; Code 1940, T. 52, Section 547.)

16-28-1. Private School. (A) The term “private school” as used in this chapter, shall mean and only include such schools as hold a certificate issued by the state superintendent of education, showing that such school conforms to the following requirements: (1) The instruction in such schools shall be by persons holding certificates issued by the state superintendent of education; (2) Instruction shall be offered in the several branches of study required to be taught in the public schools of this state; (3) The English language shall be used in giving instructions; (4) A register of attendance shall be kept which clearly indicates every absence of each child from such school for a half day or more during each school day of the school year; (B) The term church school, as used in this chapter, shall mean and only include such schools as offer instruction in grades K-12, or any combination thereof including the kindergarten, elementary, or secondary level and are operated as a ministry of a local church, group of churches, denomination, and/or association of churches of a nonprofit basis which do not receive any state or federal funding. (School Code 1927, Section 302; Code 1940, T. 52, Section 299.)

16-28-3. Ages of children required to attend school. Every child between the ages of seven and 16 years shall be required to attend public school, private school, church school, or be instructed by a competent private tutor for the entire length of the school term in every scholastic year except that every child attending a church school as defined in 16-28-1 is exempt from the requirements of this section, provided such child complies with enrollment and reporting procedure specified in Section 16-28-7, Code of Alabama 1975. Admission to public school shall be on an individual basis on the application of the parents, legal custodian or guardian of the child to the local board of education at the beginning of each school year, under such rules and regulations as the board may prescribe. (School Code 1927, Section 301; Code 1940, T. 52, Section 297; Acts 1956, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 117, p. 446, Section 3.)

16-28-5. Private Tutor. Instruction by a private tutor means and includes only instruction by a person who holds a certificate issued by the state superintendent of education and who offers instruction in the several branches of study required to be taught in the public schools of this state, for at least three hours a day for 140 days each calendar year, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and who uses the English language in giving instruction. Such private tutor shall, prior to beginning the instruction of any child, file with the county superintendent of education, where his place of instruction is in territory under the control and supervision of the county board of education, or the city superintendent of schools, where his place of instruction is in territory under the control and supervision of a city board of education, a statement showing the child or children to be instructed, the subjects to be taught and the period of time such instruction is proposed to be given. Such tutor shall keep a register of work, showing daily the hours used for instruction and the presence or absence of any child being instructed and shall make such reports as the state board of education may require. (School Code 1927, Section 303; Code 1940, T. 52, Section 300.)

16-28-6. Children exempt from attending public school.

(a) The following children, when issued certificates of exemption by the county superintendent of education, where they reside in territory under the control and supervision of the county board of education, or the city superintendent of schools, where they reside in territory under the control and supervision of a city board of education, shall not be required to attend school, or to be instructed by a private tutor:

(1) Children whose physical or mental condition is such as a to prevent or render inadvisable attendance at school or application to study. Before issuing such certificate of exemption, the superintendent shall require a certificate from the county health officer in counties which have a health unit, and from a regularly licensed, practicing physician in counties which do not have a health unit, that such a child is physically or mentally incapacitated for school work;

(2) Children 16 years of age and upward or children who have completed the course of study of the public schools of the state through high school as now constituted;

(3) Where because of the distance children reside from school and the lack of public transportation such children would be compelled to walk over two miles to attend a public school;

(4) Where the children are legally and regularly employed under the provisions of the law relating to child labor and hold permits to work granted under the terms of said child labor law.

(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed so as to deny any right to any child granted under the provisions of sections 16-39-1 through 16-39-12. (School Code 1927, Section 304; Code 1940, T. 52, Section 301, Acts 1947, No. 676, p. 517; Acts 1971, No. 2484, p. 3965.)

16-28-7. Report of enrollment. At the end of the fifth day from the opening of the public school, the principal teacher of each public school, private school, and each private tutor, but not church school, shall report on forms prescribed by the state superintendent of education to the county superintendent of education, in the event the school is operated in territory under the control and supervision of the county board of education, the names and addresses of all children between the ages of seven and 16 years who have enrolled in such schools; and thereafter, throughout the compulsory attendance period, the principal teacher of each school and private tutor shall report at least weekly the names and addresses of all children between the ages of seven and 16 years who enroll in said school or who, having enrolled, were absent without being excused, or whose absence was not satisfactorily explained by the parent, guardian or other person having control of the child. The enrollment and attendance of a child in a church school shall be filled with the local public school superintendent by the parent, guardian or other person in charge or control of the child on a form provided by the superintendent or his agent which shall be countersigned by the administrator of the church school and returned to the public school superintendent by the parent. Should said child cease attendance at a church school, the parent, guardian, or other person in charge or control of the child shall by prior consent at the time of enrollment direct the church school to notify the local public school superintendent or his agent that said child no longer is in attendance at a church school. (School Code 1927, Section 309; Code 1940, T. 52, Section 306.)

16-28-8. Reports required must be furnished. All school officers, including those in private schools, or private tutors, but not those in church schools, in this state, offering instruction to pupils within the compulsory attendance ages, shall make and furnish all reports the may be required by the sate superintendent of education and by the county superintendent of education or by the board of education of any city with reference to the workings of this chapter. The principal teacher of each public school, private school, church school, and each private tutor shall keep an attendance register showing the enrollment of the school and every absence of each enrolled child from school for a half day or more during each school day of the year. (School Code 1927, Section 310; Code 1940, T. 52, Section 307.)

16-28-11. Enrollment report and list of potential students compared. The county superintendent of education or the city superintendent of schools, as the case may be, shall upon the receipt of the report from teachers and private tutors showing the enrollment of children between the ages of seven and 16 years compare and study reports with the list which has been compiled of the children who should attend each school and ascertain what child or children required to attend school are not enrolled. (School Code 1927, Section 313; Code 1940, T. 52, Section 310.)

16-28-12. Person in loco parents responsible for child’s attendance. Each parent, guardian or other person having control or charge of any child required to attend school or be regularly instructed by a private tutor who fails to have such child enrolled in school or who fails to send such child to school or have him instructed by a private tutor during the time such child is required to attend a public school, private school, or be instructed by a private tutor, or fails to require such child to regularly attend such school or tutor, or fails to compel such child to properly conduct himself as a pupil, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than $100.00 and may also be sentenced to hard labor for the county for not more than 90 days. The absence of a child without the consent of the principal teacher of the school he attends or should attend or the tutor who instructs or should instruct such child shall be prima facie evidence of the violation of this section. (School Code 1927, Section 305; Code 1940, T. 52, Section 302.)

16-28-13. Burden of proof on person in loco parents. No parent, guardian or other person having control or charge of any child shall be convicted for failure to have said child enrolled in school or for failure to send a child to school or for failure to require such child to regularly attend such school or tutor, or for failure to compel such child to properly conduct himself as a pupil, if such parent, guardian or other person having control or charge of such child can establish to the reasonable satisfaction of the court the following: (1) That the principal teacher in charge of said school which he attends or should attend or the tutor who instructs or should instruct said child gave permission for the child to be absent; or (2) That such parent, guardian or other person is unable to provide necessary books and clothes in order that he child may attend school in compliance with law, and that such parent, guardian or other person had prior to the opening of the school, or immediately after the beginning of such dependency, reported such dependent condition to the juvenile court of the county and offered to turn the child over to the state department of pensions and security as a dependent child; or (3) That such parent, guardian or other person has made a bona fide effort to control such child and is unable to do so, and files in court a written statement that he is unable to control such child; or (4) That there exists a good cause or valid excuse for such absence; or (5) That such parent, guardian or other person has made a bona fide, diligent effort to secure the regular attendance of such child and that the absence was without his knowledge, connivance or consent.

16-28-15. Absence must be explained. Every parent, guardian or other person having control or charge of any child required to attend public school, private school, or church school, shall as soon as practical explain the cause of any absence of the child under his control or charge which was without permission of the teacher, and a failure to furnish such explanation shall be admissible as evidence of such child being a truant with the consent and connivance of the person in control or charge of said child, unless such person can show to the reasonable satisfaction of the court that he had no knowledge of such absence and that he had been diligent in his efforts to secure the attendance of such child. (School Code 1927, Section 308; Code 1940, T. 52, Section 305.)

16-28-17. When child may be taken into custody. It shall be the duty of the attendance officer, probation officer or other officer authorized to execute writs of arrest to take into custody without warrant any child required to attend school or be instructed by a private tutor who is found away from home and not in the custody of the person having charge or control of such child during school hours and who has been reported by any person authorized to begin proceedings or prosecutions under the provisions of this chapter as a truant. Such child shall forthwith be delivered to the person having charge or control of said child or to the principal teacher of the school or the private tutor from whom said child is a truant. If such child is an habitual truant, he shall be brought before the juvenile court for such disposition as the judge of said court finds proper from the facts. (School Code 1927, Section 315; Code 1940, T. 52, Section 312.)

16-28-22. Prosecutions. No prosecution or proceeding under this chapter shall be begun except by The following parties: (1) The county superintendent of education or city superintendent of schools where the matter affects a school or private tutor in territory under his supervision; or (2) An attendance officer; or (3) The principal teacher of the school which the child attends or should attend; or (4) The private tutor by whom the child is instructed or should be instructed; or (5) The probation officer of the county; or (6) A duly authorized agent of the state superintendent of education or the department of pensions and security. (School Code 1927, Section 324; Code 1940, T. 52, Section 320.)

16-28-23. Attendance register and rules and regulations as evidence. The registry of attendance of pupils kept by any public school, private school, church school, or private tutor in compliance with the provisions of law or any rule and regulation promulgated by the state board of education shall be admissible as evidence of the existence or nonexistence of the facts it is required to show. A copy of any rule and regulation of the state board of education, duly certified as true and correct by the state superintendent of education shall be admissible as evidence of the provisions of such rule and regulations, and the statement in the certificate of the state superintendent of education of the date of the promulgation shall be admissible as evidence that such rule or regulation was duly promulgated on the day and date named. (School Code 1927, Section 325; Code 1940, T. 52, Section 321.)

16-4-16. The state superintendent of education shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, and submit for approval and adoption by the state board of education a uniform series of forms and blanks for the use of county boards of education, boards of education of cities, school officials and teachers, and it shall be his duty to see that all financial matters and all educational records are made according to these forms and blanks. He shall also prepare, or cause to be prepared, and submit for approval and adoption by the state board of education forms and blanks to be used in the annual report and the monthly reports of persons conducting private schools and of private educational associations, corporations or institutions except church schools as defined in Section 16-28-1.

16-40-1. Physical education required. Every public school and private school, except church schools as defined in 16-28-1, shall carry out a system of physical education, the character of which shall conform to the program or course outlined by the department of education. (School Code 1927, Section 621; Code 1940, T. 52, Section 555.)

Section 10. Notwithstanding entitlement to the exemptions provided church school sunder Section 16-28-1, 16-1-11, 16-28-3, 16-28-7, 16-28-8, 16-28-15, 16-28-23 and 16-40-1 any church school s defined in Section 16-28-1 (B) shall certify to the local public school superintendent on forms supplied by the superintendent to the requesting church school that the exemptions specified herein are waived.

Note: Alabama does not recognize homeschooling as a separate legal option. Homeschoolers in Alabama must educate their children according to the provisions set forth in this legislation and therefore, most find “covering” or “umbrella” schools which will oversee their homeschooling programs and answer to the state.

Alabama Laws and Regulations

This Alaska home school support groups list was compiled by Home Education Magazine, with the assistance of the listed groups, to support homeschooling families in their communities.

Alaska Homeschoolers, statewide support for homeschooling families in Alaska,  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/akhomeschoolers/

Christian Homeschoolers of Alaska Military Parents, (CHAMPS); Kimberly Chretin, 907-428-4528

Homeschoolers of Cordova, PO Box 782, Cordova, AK 99574; Linda Brown, 907-424-3943

FairbanksArea Homeschoolers, Fairbanks, AK, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairbanksAreaHomeschoolers/

North Star Independent Homeschoolers (N.S.I.H.), Mrs. Wayne Hunter,Group Leader, AK 907-488-3784, waynenikkih-at-yahoo.com, www.northstarindependenthomeschoolers.com

Valley Christian Home Educators, AK, VCHE-at-yahoogroups.com

Alaska Support Groups

An overview of the homeschool laws and regulations of Alaska, along with links to legislative source information, additional reference materials and government resources on homeschooling.

Alaska State Legislature

http://www.legis.state.ak.us/

SB 134 passed unanimously both Houses of the Alaska Legislature in April, 1997 and became law on September 2, 1997. SB 134 adds an exemption to the Compulsory Education Law in statute allowing children to be homeschooled by a parent or guardian. No strings attached. The text of the bill (now law) follows:

BASIS Text for CSSB 134(HES)

SB 134 SO134B

1. “An Act relating to home schooling for elementary and secondary students.”
2. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
3. *Section 1. AS 14.30.010(b) is amended by adding a new paragraph to read:
4. (12) is being educated in the child’s home by a parent or legal guardian.

SB134 does not eliminate the possibility for families to participate in state or district sponsored correspondence programs or becoming private schools. It simply codifies current practice for many homeschoolers throughout the state – who were not within the law previously. Also, it allows homeschoolers who were previously involved with government programs or registered as private schools to simplify their structure – if they desire to do so.

Alaska Laws and Regulations

This Arizona homeschool support groups listing was compiled by Home Education Magazine, with the assistance of the listed groups, to support homeschooling families in their communities.

Apache Junction Homeschoolers (AJHomeschoolers), Julie Thalman, moderator, Apache Junction, AZ 85219, AJhomeschool-at-gmail.com, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AJhomeschoolers

Arizona Christian Homeschoolers, Anne Stone,President, Glendale,AZ, 85308,623-561-8535 http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/ArizonaChristianHomeschoolers

Arizona Teaching Home Education Through a Neo-Pagan Attitude, (Pagan Homeschool); Stacy Burns; Athena_homeschool-at-yahoo.com

East Valley Educators (Metro Phoenix area), Julie at ajhomeschool-at-gmail.com

Growing In Friendship Together (GIFT – Homeschooled Teen Girl’s Group), Tamara Hartley Hunt, Group Facilitator, AZ, bnatural-at-cox.net

Happy Homeschoolers of Scottsdale and N.E. Phoenix, , Scottsdale, AZ 85452; Suzanne , 480-922-3755

Home Education Network of Arizona (HENA), Cindy Fox, Governing Board Volunteer, Statewide, AZ, 602-692-8923, outreach-at-hena.us, www.hena.us

Indigo Home Learners (IHL) Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria and surrounding cities, AZ,Tammy Ayers-tammymbayers-at-msn.com, Heather Emery-hpemery69-at-yahoo.com, www.indigohomelearners.com Listserv: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/indigohomelearners

Knowledge House Learning Resource Center, New River, AZ; Teri Olsen; knowledgehouse-at-safeaccess.com, http://www.knowledgehouse.info

Kokopelli Life Learners, Tracey Catanach, Organizer, AZ, tracey.kokopelli-at-gmail.com http://sites.google.com/site/kokopellilifelearners/

Manga/Anime/Cosplay Club (M.A.C.C.) Tamara Hartley Hunt, Contact, AZ, bnatural-at-cox.net, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MACC-parents/

Mi C.A.S.A. Homeschoolers, Robin Foote -Coordinator, PO Box 10778, Casa Grande, AZ 85230-0778, 520-836-3321, info-at-micasahomeschoolers.org, www.micasahomeschoolers.org

Northside Home Educators, Elise McHatton, Group Leader, New River, Anthem, Desert Hills, Cave Creek, Tramonto, Black Canyon City and surrounding areas, AZ, 85087, 623-551-3683, books-at-mchatton.net , http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NorthSideHomeEd/

Palo Verde Homeschoolers, 480-966-2238, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Palo-Verde-HS/

Phoenix Metro Homeschoolers (PMH) Amy Sebald, Group Organizer, AZ, amysebald-at-cox.net

Rainbow Explorers-Christian Homeschool Support Group for African-American Families, Phoenix, AZ, 623-932-4156; psalm128-3-at-juno.com, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rainbow_explorers

Resources for Health Roots & Shoots, Anne Goldfeld, Coordinator, AZ, 480-282-8488, rootsandshoots-at-cox.net, http://www.resourcesforhealth.org/

Sonoran Desert Homeschoolers, Debbie Gubernick, Web site manager, Tucson, AZ, sdhtucson-at-yahoo.com, http://tucsonhomeschoolers.org

Southern Arizona Unschoolers (SOARing UNschoolers) SOARingUnschoolers-owner-at-yahoogroups.com; http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SOARingUnschoolers

Southwest Valley Home Learners (SVHL) Jenny Batson, Coordinator, AZ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SouthwestValleyHomelearners/

SPICE, PO Box 932, Litchfield Park, AZ 85340; Susan Taniguchi, 623-877-3642

Valley Secular Homeschoolers, AZ, http://www.angelfire.com/az3/vshgroup/

Veritas Homeschoolers, 480-961-7770, http://www.veritashomeschoolers.org; serving Ahwatukee, Chandler, and Tempe areas

Welcome Homeschool Group (WHSG)Lynn Hosler,Prescott, AZ 86305 928-445-2250, lynnhosler-at-yahoo.com

West Side Home Educators, 8622 W Purdue Ave., Peoria, AZ 85345, http://members.cox.net/wshe1/wshe.htm

West Valley Christian Homeschoolers (WVCH) Jill Brown, Website Coordinator, AZ, info-at-wvchristianhomeschoolers.org, http://www.wvchristianhomeschoolers.org

Arizona Support Groups

An overview of the homeschool laws and regulations of Arizona, along with links to legislative source information, additional reference materials and government resources on homeschooling.

Arizona Legislature Home Page

http://www.azleg.state.az.us/

Arizona 15-745 Children instructed at home; testing; prohibition

A. Nothing in this article shall be construed to require the testing of children who are instructed in a home school program while they are receiving home school instruction.

B. A child who enrolls in a kindergarten program or grades one through twelve after receiving instruction in a home school program shall be tested pursuant to this article in order to determine the appropriate grade level for the educational placement of the child.

15-802 School instruction; exceptions; violations; classification; definitions

A. Every child between the ages of six and sixteen years shall attend a school and shall be provided instruction in at least the subjects of reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies and science. The person who has custody of the child shall choose a public, private, charter or home school as defined in this section to provide instruction.

B. The parent or person who has custody shall do the following:

1. If the child will attend a public, private or charter school, enroll the child in and ensure that the child attends a public, private or charter school for the full time school is in session. If a child attends a school which is operated on a year-round basis the child shall regularly attend during school sessions that total not less than one hundred seventy-five school days or two hundred school days, as applicable, or the equivalent as approved by the superintendent of public instruction.
2. If the child will attend a private school or home school, file an affidavit of intent with the county school superintendent stating that the child is attending a regularly organized private school or is being provided with instruction in a home school. The affidavit of intent shall include:(a) The child’s name.

   (b) The child’s date of birth.

   (c) The current address of the school the child is attending.

   (d) The names, telephone numbers and addresses of the persons who currently have custody of the child.

3. . If the child will attend home school, the child has not reached eight years of age by September 1 of the school year and the person who has custody of the child does not desire to begin home instruction until the child has reached eight years of age, file an affidavit of intent pursuant to subsection B, paragraph 2 stating that the person who has custody of the child does not desire to begin home school instruction.

C. An affidavit of intent shall be filed within thirty days from the time the child begins to attend a private school or home school and is not required thereafter unless the private school or the home school instruction is terminated and then resumed. The person who has custody of the child shall notify the county school superintendent within thirty days of the termination that the child is no longer being instructed at a private school or a home school. If the private school or home school instruction is resumed, the person who has custody of the child shall file another affidavit of intent with the county school superintendent within thirty days.

D. A person is excused from the duties prescribed by subsection A or B of this section if any of the following are shown to the satisfaction of the school principal or the school principal’s designee:

• . The child is in such physical or mental condition that instruction is inexpedient or impracticable.
• The child has completed the high school course of study necessary for completion of grade ten as prescribed by the state board of education.
• The child has presented reasons for nonattendance at a public school which are satisfactory to the school principal or the school principal’s designee. For purposes of this paragraph, the principal’s designee may be the school district governing board.
• The child is over fourteen years of age and is, with the consent of the person who has custody of him, employed at some lawful wage earning occupation.
• The child is enrolled in a work training, career education, vocational or manual training program which meets the educational standards established and approved by the department of education.
• . The child was either: (a) Suspended and not directed to participate in an alternative education program. (b) Expelled from a public school as provided in article 3 of this chapter.
• The child is enrolled in an education program provided by a state educational or other institution.

E. Unless otherwise exempted in this section or section 15-803, a parent of a child between six and sixteen years of age or a person who has custody of a child, who does not provide instruction in a home school and who fails to enroll or fails to ensure that the child attends a public, private or charter school pursuant to this section is guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor. A parent who fails to comply with the duty to file an affidavit of intent to provide instruction in a home school is guilty of a petty offense.

F. For the purposes of this section:

1. “Home school” means a school conducted primarily by the parent, guardian or other person who has custody of the child or instruction provided in the child’s home.
2. . “Private school” means a nonpublic institution, other than the child’s home, where academic instruction is provided for at least the same number of days and hours each year as a public school. Home school interscholastic activities

Section 1. Section 15-802.01, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

Children instructed at home; participation in interscholastic activities.

A. Notwithstanding any other law, a child who resides within the attendance area of a public school and who is instructed at home may be allowed to participate in interscholastic activities on behalf of the public school. If a school declines to allow children instructed at home to participate in an interscholastic activity, the children instructed at home who reside within the attendance area of the school may be allowed to participate in the interscholastic activity on behalf of any other school. The state board of education shall adopt rules prescribing procedures for the participation of children instructed at home in interscholastic activities, including, if necessary, requiring the child to take a nationally standardized norm-referenced achievement test or academic evaluation for verification of academic performance. The rules adopted by the state board of education shall provide that a child who is instructed at home and who was previously enrolled in a school shall be ineligible to participate in interscholastic activities on behalf of a different school for the remainder of the school year during which the child was enrolled in a school.

1. A school district shall not contract with any private entity that supervises interscholastic activities if the private entity prohibits the participation of children instructed at home in interscholastic activities . APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR APRIL 4, 1997. FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE APRIL 4, 1997. 1997 Arizona State Board of Education

R7-2-810. Procedures for the participation of children instructed at home in interscholastic activities

A. Definitions. The following definitions shall apply when used in this rule:

1. “Children instructed at home” and “Student” means children who are not enrolled full time in a public or private educational institution and whose parent or guardian has an Affidavit of Intent to Home School on file with the County School Superintendent.
2. ” Interscholastic activities” are all activities involving more than one school which are of a competitive nature and which are coordinated through and governed by an interscholastic organization or association.
3. “Participate” means having been selected to represent a school and taking part in an interscholastic activity as a member of a team, squad of group which has been organized for the purpose of interscholastic contests.

B. Opportunity to demonstrate skill and proficiency in an interscholastic activity shall be afforded to students as a prerequisite to acceptance onto a team, squad or group in a manner consistent with that established for students enrolled in the school.

C. If chosen as a member of team, squad or group, the student may participate in an interscholastic activity on behalf of a public school within the attendance area where the student resides. If a school declines to allow a student to participate in an interscholastic activity, the student may be allowed to participate in the interscholastic activity on behalf of any other school.

D. Eligibility.

1. If a student reaches the age of 15 on or before September 1 of the school year, the student shall not be eligible to participate at the seventh and eighth grade levels.
2. If a student reaches the age of 19 on or before September 1 of the school year, the student shall not be eligible to participate at the ninth through twelfth grade levels.
3. A student shall be required to earn a passing grade in each course of subject in which the student is instructed and maintain satisfactory progress toward advancement, promotion or graduation.

E. Ineligibility.

1. When it is determined that a student has failed to meet the requirements specified for eligibility, the student shall be declared ineligible to participate and shall remain ineligible until the requirements of eligibility are met.
2. If a student had been enrolled in a public school on a full-time basis, the student shall not be eligible to participate in interscholastic activities as a home schooled student until an Affidavit of Intent to Home School has been filed with the County School Superintendent and 30 days has elapsed since the filing of the affidavit.
3. Students who were previously enrolled in a school shall be ineligible to participate in interscholastic activities on behalf of a different school to the remainder of the school year during which the student was enrolled in a school.

F. At least every nine weeks, or more frequently as determined by the school, and consistent with the policies established for students enrolled in the school, the individual providing the primary instruction of a student shall submit a notarized affidavit which provides:

1. That the affidavit is being submitted under penalty of perjury;
2. Whether the student is receiving a passing grade in each course or subject being taught;
3. . Whether the student is maintaining satisfactory progress towards advancement or promotion.

G. School policies related to transportation, insurance, physical condition, fee uniforms, practice requirements and event schedules shall be consistent with policies established for students enrolled in the school and shall be available to parents and guardians upon request.

1. Students shall register and pay fees established by the school for participation in interscholastic activities and meet all qualifications, responsibilities and standards of behavior and performance, including those related to demonstration of skill and proficiency, practice requirements, physical prerequisites and acceptance unto the team, squad or group. Registration, fees, qualifications, responsibilities and standards of behavior and performance for home schooled students shall be consistent with the fees, qualifications, responsibilities and standards of behavior and performance established for students enrolled in the school.

15-828 . Birth certificate; school records; exception

A. On enrollment of a pupil for the first time in a particular school district or private school offering instruction to pupils in any kindergarten programs or grades one through twelve, that school or school district shall notify the person enrolling the pupil in writing that within thirty days he must provide The following:

1. A certified copy of the pupil’s birth certificate.:
2. Other reliable proof of the pupil’s identity and age, including the pupil’s baptismal certificate, an application for a social security number or original school registration records and an affidavit explaining the inability to provide a copy of the birth certificate.:
3. A letter from the authorized representative of an agency having custody of the pupil pursuant to title 8, chapter 2 certifying that the pupil has been placed in the custody of the agency as prescribed by law.:

B. If a child is instructed at home pursuant to section 15-802, the person who has custody of the child shall, within thirty days after the home instruction begins, provide to the county school superintendent of the county in which the child resides The following::

1. A certified copy of the child’s birth certificate.:
2. Other reliable proof of the child’s identity and age, including the child’s baptismal certificate, an application for a social security number or original school registration records and an affidavit explaining the inability to provide a copy of the birth certificate.:
3. A letter from the authorized representative of an agency having custody of the pupil pursuant to title 8, chapter 2 certifying that the pupil has been placed in the custody of the agency as prescribed by law.:

C. On presentation of a document pursuant to this section, a photocopy of the document shall be placed in the pupil’s file and the document that is presented shall be returned.:

D. On the failure of a person enrolling a pupil or instructing a child at home to comply with subsection A or B of this section, the school, school district or county school superintendent shall notify that person in writing that, unless he complies within ten days, the case shall be referred to the local law enforcement agency for investigation. If compliance is not obtained within the ten day period, the school, school district or county school superintendent shall refer the case to the local law enforcement agency.:

E. The school, school district or county school superintendent shall immediately report to the local law enforcement agency any affidavit received pursuant to this section which appears inaccurate or suspicious in form or content.:

F. Within five school days after enrolling a transfer pupil from a private school or another school district, a school shall request directly from the pupil’s previou school a certified copy of his record. The requesting school shall exercise due diligence in obtaining the copy of the record requested. Notwithstanding any financial debt owed by the pupil, any school requested to forward a copy of a transferring pupil’s record to the new school shall comply and forward the record within five school days after receipt of the request unless the record has been flagged pursuant to section 15-829. If the record has been flagged, the requested school shall not forward the copy and shall notify the local law enforcement agency of the request. School districts shall include in the educational records required by this subsection data collected pursuant to section 15-741, as prescribed by the state board of education.:

G. Nothing in subsection D, E or F of this section shall authorize the school district or the county school superintendent to disclose to any person the pupil’s educational records or any other information directly related to the pupil without prior parental consent unless the school district or the county school superintendent makes a determination that disclosure of such records is necessary to protect the health and safety of the pupil.:

H. The provisions of this section do not apply to homeless pupils as defined in section 15-824, subsection C.:

Arizona Laws and Regulations