Homeschooling in Ohio

People who are unfamiliar with homeschooling regulations often ask me questions about homeschooling.  Many times, they'll ask if I get the curriculum from the school district (No). Another frequent question is how I know that the kids are working to grade level.  People are also curious about any testing we have to do or how I prove that my kids are learning.

Each state has their own rules and regulations regarding homeschooling.  Some states really have no regulations, while others are fairly stringent.  Ohio is a moderately regulated state for homeschooling.

I have found a wealth of information on the Ohio Home Educators Network website.  They have links to the Ohio Revised Code sections pertaining to homeschooling, as well as links to print off the notification and assessment forms.

In a nutshell, Ohio parents must inform the superintendent of their local school district of their intent to home educate.  The parents sign an affidavit that the schooling will encompass a specified variety of subjects.  The state also requests a brief outline of the proposed curriculum and a list of any materials being used.  If you have never sent you child to school, you must notify the school district once your child is 6 years of age.  If you are withdrawing a child from school, you need to send your notification documentation at that time.  Once the school district receives your paperwork, they have two weeks to send you a letter excusing your child from school attendance in favor of home education.  The school district can also request further information if they feel you haven't provided the legally required documentation, but they are not giving or withholding approval for homeschooling.

 ***Word of Advice*** - Send your documentation via certified mail.  Two years ago, I sent all my paperwork in early August.  By mid-September, I still hadn't received my letter from the school district.  I called and was told they never received my papers.  I read the name of the person who signed for the package, and was then told to just email copies to the superintendent's secretary.  She got the letter out the next day.

You must send the notification documentation to the school district before the start of each school year if you continue to homeschool.  With all but the first notification, you must also send one of two things- standardized test scores or a letter stating that your child has been assessed by a certified teacher.  We have done both testing and teacher assessment.  We all prefer the assessment, but some families prefer testing.

The boys showing off their Ancient Egypt History Pockets.
They were proud of these, so we took them to the Portfolio Review.

You can order standardized tests online from a variety of companies.  We have used Seton in the past, and had no problems with any aspect of the process.

If you can locate a local homeschooling group, Yahoo or Google group, list serve, etc., you should be able to find teachers that advertise their assessment services toward the end of the school year.  I belong to several email groups, and there are always a few teachers who send out posts in May and June.  We are fortunate to have an absolutely superb teacher do our assessments.  I prepare a portfolio of the kids work and activities for the year, and she discusses what we have done with the kids and me.  She's very thorough, and helpful with curriculum suggestions and ideas.  We hope she never retires!  When she's finished talking about our year with us, she writes a brief letter stating that each child has performed to their abilities for the year.

The notification process is not very taxing, nor is the portfolio review.  I find the testing to require more time and the kids don't like filling in all the little circles, but each family must decide what works best for them.  All in all, I feel that Ohio is not too difficult or rigid in its homeschooling regulations.