The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers
VaHomeschoolers.org
Your Resource. Your Voice. Your Association.
The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers
VaHomeschoolers.org
Your Resource. Your Voice. Your Association.
Note: This page has not yet been updated to reflect changes in the homeschool statute that took effect July 1, 2006. Please see our updated Homeschool Law pages for additional information about homeschooling in Virginia. Updates are being made as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience.
VaHomeschoolers' Guide to Homeschooling in Virginia is your one-stop source of information on homeschooling in the Old Dominion. Our step-by-step guide walks parents through the paperwork process. It includes a Notice of Intent form, information on filing options, state law, options for curricula, a sample proposal, testing and assessment options with pros and cons, links to local support groups, legal questions and more.
While the Virginia Home Instruction statute is not always easy to understand, it is not overly burdensome. It is advised that every parent considering homeschooling should read and understand their state home education laws.
To protect and promote homeschooling in Virginia, join and volunteer with The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers, a fully-inclusive, all volunteer and member directed organization.
•Virginia's homeschoolers do not have to implement the State's Standards of Learning (SOL's)
Homeschooling is legal
A college degree is not required (See "Yes Virginia, You CAN Homeschool Without a College Degree")
No "insurance" or "defense fund" is necessary.
Homeschool within the law, and it is extremely unlikely you need any legal assistance.
"Wise council at the front end of homeschooling means that 99% of parents are not going to meet with any problems." -Will Shaw, co-founder of The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers.
School attendance is compulsory in Virginia for any child who will have reached the fifth birthday on or before September 30 of any school year. However:
* Virginia parents have the legal option of delaying their child's entry into school if they are under the age of six as of September 30. Parents who choose this option should file a simple letter with their school district stating their intentions.
* The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers initiated and saw through a change in the law in 1988, eliminating testing and assessment requirements for any child who has not reached the 6th birthday on or before September 30 of any school year.
For a thorough explanation of the "kindergarten question,"see Celeste Land's article, "Much Ado About Kindergarten."
Due to The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers' (then called Virginia Home Education Association) successful 1998 bill, parents may begin home instruction after the school year has begun and the child was already enrolled in a school.
The law states that parents file the Notice of Intent "as soon as practicable." They then have up to 30 days to file the rest of the papers, and do not need "approval" first. Many experienced homeschoolers suggest that, when removing a child from public school in order to begin homeschooling, the parent should call the school office on the first morning, informing them the child will be no longer attending, as s/he is being homeschooled. It is a good idea to keep a copy of the state law handy. The parent can then quote the law to any school personel who is (and many of them are) uninformed or misinformed.
If starting outside of the school year (during summer), file your Notice of Intent and other papers by Aug. 15 for the upcoming school year.
*You do not need to provide a book list or table of contents in order to comply with the law*
The Virginia Home Instruction statute offers 4 options under which a family may file:
Option 1: used when either parent holds a BA degree in any subject from an accredited institution of higher education.
Send to your local superintendent:
1. Copy of degree/certificate
2. Notice of Intent. This may be a form provided by the state or by your county, VaHomeschoolers' form, or a letter. The law does not require that you use a form, and many homeschoolers choose to provide a letter instead, due to the often inaccurate wording of the forms provided.
3. A description of curriculum, such as a sentence or two on style, and perhaps a brief list of materials and resources. You do not have to include any tables of contents from a curriculum or a list of books. Still, some superintendents will request this. It is up to you whether you choose to provide it. Many homeschoolers decline to, because they understand that providing more than the law requires can escalate the superintendents' requests for more information.
See samples of option (i) NOIs that have been accepted in varous counties in Virginia: sample 1, sample 2, sample 3, sample 4, sample 5, sample 6.
The superintendent has no authority to judge or reject the program of study submitted under this option.
Once a copy of your degree is on file, you need not include one in future, simply refer to the fact that the superintendent already has a copy.
Option 2: used when either parent is a teacher of qualifications prescribed by the Board of Education.
Send to your local superintendent:
1. Copy of teaching certificate
2. Notice of Intent. This may be a form provided by the state or by your county, VaHomeschoolers' form, or a letter. The law does not require that you use a form, and many homeschoolers choose to provide a letter instead, due to the often inaccurate wording of the forms provided.
3. A description of curriculum, such as a sentence or two on style some materials and resources. You do not have to include a table of contents from a curriculum or books. Still, some will request this. It is up to you whether you choose to provide it. Some homeschoolers refuse to, because they know providing more than the law requires can escalate the superintendents' requests for more information.
The superintendent has no authority to judge the program of study submitted under this option.
Once a copy of your teaching certificate is on file, you need not include one in future, unless it has been renewed since last filing.
Option 3: when the family uses a curriculum that is pre-approved by the state.
Send to your local superintendent:
1. Notice of Intent. This may be a form provided by the state or by your county, VaHomeschoolers' form, or a letter. The law does not require that you use a form, and many homeschoolers choose to provide a letter instead, due to the often inaccurate wording of the forms provided.
2. A description of curriculum, such as one or more sentences. You do not have to include a table of contents from books. Still, some will request this. It is up to you whether you choose to provide it. Some homeschoolers refuse to, because they have how providing more than the law requires can escalate the superintendents' requests for more information.
3. Evidence of enrollment, such as a copy of the receipt or acceptance letter.
Click here for a list of pre-approved programs. (.pdf file download)
NOTE: Correspondence courses approved by Virginia are not necessarily better or worse than non-approved courses. The only difference is that the suppliers have completed the approval application process. If the course you like is not on the list, encourage the supplier to apply for approval.
Option 4 used when neither parent has a BA or teaching certificate and chooses not to use a pre-approved curriculum.
Send to your local superintendent:
1. Notice of Intent. This may be a form provided by the state or by your county, VaHomeschoolers' form, or a letter. The law does not require that you use a form, and many homeschoolers choose to provide a letter instead, due to the often inaccurate wording of the forms provided.
2. Description of curriculum that includes the state's
Standards of Learning (SOL's) for language arts and mathematics;
3. Evidence that the parent is able to provide an adequate education for the child. Although this may seem daunting, in reality it is easy. See samples of option (iv) NOIs that have been accepted in varous counties in Virginia: sample 1, sample 2, sample 3, sample 4, sample 5, sample 6, sample 7.
NOTE: There is no SOL testing for homeschooled children.
The superintendent may judge your curriculum description only on whether or not it includes the SOLs for mathematics and language arts for the appropriate grade level.
ALL parents homeschooling under Virginia's Home Instruction statutes must provide annual "evidence of progress" by August 1 following the school year.
TESTING: Evidence the child attained a composite score in or above fourth stanine (23rd percentile) on a battery of achievement tests which have been approved by the Board of Education for use in the public schools. Contact homeschoolers in your county to learn which tests have been accepted locally.
Note: Effective July 1, 2003, there are no longer any "achievement tests which have been approved by the Board of Education for use in the public schools" While the law still allows local school districts to provide annual end-of-year testing for homeschooled students, most school districts have terminated these testing programs.
See VaHomeschoolers' Testing and Assessments page for test and assessment providers, articles explaining the pros and cons of each option, and information on the use of tests and on interpreting test scores.
ASSESSMENT: an evaluation or assessment which, in the judgment of the division superintendent, indicates that the child is achieving an adequate level of educational growth and progress. This can be:
1. A portfolio review by the superintendent's office: submit copies or bring in person.
2. A letter from a certified teacher who has met with the child and reviewed his/her work. It is best to ask local homeschoolers what has been accepted previously.
3. A report from correspondence course: Most likely the easiest option for those using a correspondence course. Benefits: course materials cover test/assessment topics, a measure of privacy. Drawback: correspondence courses can be prohibitively expensive.
NOTE: There is no SOL testing for homeschooled children.
There are 2 other options under which a family may homeschool, but these are outside of the home instruction statute (and are under the compulsory schooling laws):
Anyone can engage a tutor or teach cooperatively, but if the tutor is the sole or principal instructor, the law says they must be "a tutor or teacher of qualifications prescribed by the [state] board of education and approved by the division superintendent." This can also be any certified teacher who is also approved as a tutor by local superintendent.
Under this option, the parent files initially, and supplies copies of re-certification documents as needed. There is no oversight by the superintendent regarding program of study or proof of progress.
Applicants must demonstrate a "bona fide religious training or belief" that opposes school attendance. These beliefs do not include: wishing to avoid filing papers, not wanting to submit test & evaluation materials, because you believe your children's education is not the government's business, or because it's simply easier.
The local school board can recognize or decline a religious exemption (RE) claim when the home education statutes do not accommodate the family's beliefs.
According to Will Shaw, VaHomeschoolers founder and longtime homeschooling advocate in Virginia, the greatest threat to RE is the sharp increase in the number of claims--which has not escaped certain legislators. Mr. Shaw asserts that homeschoolers have not become more religious, but more opportunistic, which may "endanger a special legal avenue that ought to be there for the few who really need it."
Read more about Virginia's Religious Exemption from compulsory schooling.
Join a statewide, regional or local E-mail discussion list, or a local homeschool group to connect with other homeschoolers and discover the homeschooling climate in your area. Such groups can offer assistance with understanding the law, and give you access to experienced homeschoolers who can guide you through any difficulties. You may find the following article helpful: How to Choose a Homeschool Group.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
VaHomeschoolers' Frequently Asked Questions page provides further information about homeschooling in Virginia. We answer common questions, such as:
Join The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers, the Old Dominion's grassroots, fully-inclusive, member-directed state association.
Since 1993, VaHomeschoolers has worked to protect and promote homeschooling through member-directed action in legislative work, assisting homeschoolers on an individual level, and providing information, speakers, and resources. VaHomeschoolers' sole intent is to aid homeschoolers; there is no religious or political agenda.
VaHomeschoolers members receive the high quality newsletter, may opt to receive Legislative Updates via E-mail, and have the opportunity to assure that our fate as homeschoolers is in our own hands.
Membership is only $15/year. To join in a snap, click here. This information is provided as a courtesy of VaHomeschoolers. It is not intended as legal advice. For legal advice, contact a licensed attorney.
VaHomeschoolers does not endorse any business or organization.
2003 The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers. All rights reserved.
How to Choose a Homeschool Group
VaHomeschoolers' List of Support Groups
Homeschool Support on the Internet
VaHomeschoolers' "Homeschooling Styles" Page explains a variety of styles and includes links
Religous and Cultural Homeschooling Links
TIP: Many experienced homeschoolers say they wish they had spent less money on a curriculum the first year. See Homeschooling on the Cheap for ideas on saving money on curricula.
Curricula Reviews at HomeschoolReviews.com
VegSource Buy/Sell Message Boards Homeschool Fun! Classifieds
KonosCurricula sale list for items compatible with KONOS curriculum
Unleashing the Power of Self-Directed Learning
Links provided for informational purposes only. VaHomeschoolers does not endorse or guarantee any site or source presented.
VaHomeschoolers works hard to protect your homeschool freedom and empowers you by giving you the information that helps you homeschool with confidence. This is all a free service to you. But providing these services does cost money without which we could not maintain this site, cover our lobbyists' expenses while they work for you at the Virginia General Assembly, or produce and mail the VaHomeschoolers newsletter. Show how much you value the indispensable services VaHomeschoolers provides you--by joining or donating to VaHomeschoolers! If you are already a member, check out our give-back programs where purchases you normally make can earn money for VaHomeschoolers at no cost to you. When you join or donate to VaHomeschoolers, you are supporting the Old Dominion's only fully inclusive, member directed, and volunteer driven state homeschool association.
The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers is a non-profit public charity with 501(c)(3) status; your donation is tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.