Americans are always on the go, and some of us take that an extra step further with homeschooling on the road. If you’re interested in homeschooling your kids so you can travel more, make sure to familiarize yourself with homeschooling requirements, especially homeschool laws by state.
Some of the information may be overwhelming, but it’s important to follow each guideline correctly, which is why we’ve broken it down for you. Hopefully, this helps you feel like homeschooling your kids is not only doable but worth it. Let’s dive in!
Is Homeschooling Legal in Every U.S. State?
Good news! You’re allowed to homeschool your kids no matter which state you’re in. The only thing that changes is the specific regulations. Some states are more flexible than others regarding testing and subject choice. However, this nationwide law gives parents more wiggle room to travel and have their kids learn on the road.
Which State’s Regulations Should You Follow?
​​​​If you’re unsure which state’s regulations to follow, just go by where your driver’s license or vehicle is registered. While each state follows the same basic guidelines, there are notable differences. You could face legal action for failing to meet requirements, so check with your local school district to ensure you’re doing it right.
Which States Require Testing?
Not every state requires students to take state tests, and even those that do can be flexible. You might be able to choose between taking a test or submitting a portfolio. In addition, some states only require testing every few years instead of every year. Here’s a list of all the states requiring testing:
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Maine
- Minnesota
- New Hampshire
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- Vermont
- Washington
- West Virginia
Which States Require Public School Equivalent Curriculum?
Each state has a different set of required credits for high schoolers, though few specify course requirements for homeschoolers. If your child is planning on going to college, they should follow the state’s guidelines for public schools. The few states that specifically ask for comparable high school education are:
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Montana
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Virginia
Which States Require Parents to Notify the School District About Their Intent to Homeschool?
Not every state requires parents to report whether they’re homeschooling their kids, though they are in the minority. About 70% of states require some form of notification when kids start homeschooling. Check out this list to search for your home state:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Kansas (first year only)
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Virginia
- Vermont
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Which States Have The Most Relaxed Homeschooling Laws?
Some states have fewer regulations, which leaves most of the control to the parents to decide what kind of education they would like their children to receive. This is especially helpful if your kid struggles with certain learning styles. Homeschooling might be a little easier if you live in one of these states:
- Alaska
- Alabama
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
Which States Have the Strictest Homeschooling Laws?
Some states are more involved with keeping track of homeschoolers. But when there are more rules, at least you know what to expect. The strictest homeschool laws by state are:
- Massachusetts
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
Which States Have Subject Requirements?
The curriculum for education seems straightforward: English, math, science, and history. However, some states will go into more detail so parents know exactly what their homeschoolers should be learning to keep up with public school students. If you live in one of these states, make sure to take a closer look at the required classes:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Vermont
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Homeschooling Offers Unique Flexibility and Education
Homeschooling can seem like a daunting task, especially if you have more than one school-aged child. However, it also offers much more flexibility in your schedule to travel as much and as far as you want. Plus, you can use your travel experiences to give your kids more hands-on learning experiences, which they’re more likely to remember than sitting in a classroom reading a textbook. So if you want to pack up and hit the road, check-in on the homeschool laws by state and have fun teaching. What tips do you have for homeschooling if you’ve done it before?
Delaware was not listed at all on here. I was wondering how I register to homeschool in DE when I do not have an address. (We travel)