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Ohio Homeschooling

The Ohio homeschooling law allows parents to homeschool their children.

In Ohio v. Whisner, (1976), the Ohio Supreme Court stated “ . . . it has long been recognized that the right of a parent to guide the education, including the religious education, of his or her children is indeed a fundamental right guaranteed by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.”

It is important for parents to be informed on how to homeschool legally.

Parent or Guardian's Responsibility

A parent must provide an annual notification to homeschool to the superintendent of the public school district of residence which shall include:

  • School year for which notification is made.
  • Name and address of the parent
  • Full name and birth date of child Name and address of person(s) who will be teaching the child, if other than the parent.
  • Assurance that the homeschool will include the required subjects listed below.
  • A brief outline of your curriculum.
  • List of textbooks or other basic teaching materials assurance of hours and qualification

Download the Notification form

State Requirements

  1. Attendance Ages: 6-18 years
  2. Hours of school: 900 hours.
  3. Required Subjects:
  • Language
  • Reading
  • Spelling
  • Writing
  • Geography
  • History of the United States and Ohio government
  • Math
  • Science
  • Health
  • Physical education
  • Fine arts (including music)
  • First aid
  • Safety
  • Fire prevention.

 Earning an Ohio Diploma with Ohio Homeschooling

English language arts

Health

Mathematics

Physical Education

Science

Social Studies

Electives

4 units

 ½ unit

4 units

½ unit

3 units

3 units

5 units

  • Mathematics units must include 1 unit of algebra II or the equivalent of algebra II.
  • Science units must include 1 unit of physical sciences, 1 unit ofl life sciences and 1 unit advanced study in one or more of the following sciences: chemistry, physics, or other physical science ; advanced biology or other life science ; astronomy, physical geology, or other earth or space science.
  • Social studies units must include ½ unit of American history and ½ unit of American government.
  • Electives units must include one or any combination of foreign language, fine arts, business, career-technical education, family and consumer sciences, technology, agricultural education or English language arts, mathematics, science or social studies courses not otherwise required.
  • All students must receive instruction in economics and financial literacy during grades 9 -12 and must complete at least two semesters of fine arts.

The Ohio Core allows school districts to adopt a policy that would exempt students who participate in interscholastic athletics, band or cheerleading for two full seasons from the physical education requirement. Students must take another course of at least 60 contact hours in its place.


Teacher Qualifications

  • The homeschool teacher must have a high school diploma; or
  • Test scores which demonstrate high school equivalence; or
  • The parent must “work under the direction of a person holding a baccalaureate degree . . . until children's test results demonstrate reasonable proficiency . . .”

Three Options for Assessment for Ohio Homeschooling

  1. Standardized Tests with a composite score of 25th% or more and given by an Ohio licensed or certified teacher, the public school,other person mutually agreed upon by the parents and superintendent, or a person by the publisher of the test.”
  2. A written narrative from a certified teacher or other person agreed upon by the parent and superintendent,
  3. An alternative assessment mutually agreed upon by the parents and the superintendent, showing that the child's work has been reviewed and the progress demonstrated was within the child's abilities.

Annual Process for Home Education

  • Within one week of the start of the school year: Parents send Home Education Notification form to the local school district superintendent.
  • Within 14 days of receipt of Notification: Superintendent reviews the notification, and determines if it is compliant and notifies the parent.
  • At the start of the school year: Submit notification and an Academic Assessment report. I have my children tested using the Stanford Achievement testing. The results of the tests I send to the Superintendent with my notification form.
  • First order your Stanford or Iowa academic assessments by calling (740)-261-6363 and ask for Michael, THEN go to this testing site to find an official tester near you.

You can homeschool!!

Make sure you choose the best homeschool curriculum for your family.

It is important to gather as much information as possible for high school homeschooling. Learning about transcripts, keeping grades, and scheduling your homeschool will help your school run more smooth!

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