New Mexico (NM) State - Homeschooling Laws and Regulations

Homeschooling is legal in every American state.  The Department of Education states, "Parents in all 50 states and the District of Columbia have the option to home school their children" (Department of Education, NCES). School attendance is compulsory for all children; however, parents have the legal right to withdrawal their children from government schools to enroll them in qualified private schools or to educate their children at home.  This is only proper considering the fact that the duty and the right to educate the next generation were appointed by God to parents even before God created governments.

Each state has laws that govern matters such as how parents are to declare their intention to homeschool and what topics must be included in your home-education program.  Some states require periodic standardized tests and more formal records be maintained. One of the great benefits of homeschooling is the liberty of homeschooling parents to choose their own curriculum.  GETTING STARTED CAN FEEL OVERWHELMING, BUT MULTITUDES OF PARENTS ARE HOMESCHOOLING AND SO CAN YOU!  It is my pleasure to help your research efforts.  Below are links to key government and non-government pages.

New Mexico:  "New Mexico defines a home school as "the operation by a parent, legal guardian or other person having custody of a school-age person who instructs a home study program that provides a basic academic educational program, including, but not limited to, reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science". A home school operator must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent. N.M. Stat. Ann. § 22-1-2 V. Persons operating or intending to operate a home school must notify the superintendent of schools of the school district in which the child is a resident within 30 days of beginning home schooling. Records of student attendance and disease immunization must be maintained. A calendar indicating instruction at least the length of the school year of the local district must be provided to the local public school superintendent. N.M. Stat. Ann. ? 22-12-2. Students must be tested according to statewide and local school district testing programs to assess achievement. N.M. Stat. Ann. § 22-1-2.1 Students who are in a registered home school may also attend public schools if the local school district wishes to provide such an option. N.M. Stat. Ann. § 22-2-8.3. While simultaneously participating as a home school student and a public school student, students may receive school credit for course work successfully completed through public school instruction, but not for instruction provided at home. Students may also combine school instruction with home instruction in "Family Schools". Family Schools are programs that are approved by both the local and state boards of education. Family School students are not registered home school students. They are qualified public school students enrolled in alternative education program and may receive credit for instruction provided both at school and at home. N.M. Stat. Ann. § 22-5-5.6. Requests for Family Schools are submitted to the State Board of Education at the option of the local school district." (Source:  "State Regulation of Private Schools," New Mexico, by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Non-Public Education (2000).)

LINKS TO HELPFUL SITES

• http://sde.state.nm.us/HomeSchools/index.html

• Statutes

Counties

Disclaimer:  Balancing the Sword makes no claims about the timeliness nor the completeness of the links or legal information posted.  These homeschooling laws and legal information are being provided free of charge.  Postings of rules and regulations are subject to change.  Seek the advice of other home-educating parents or homeschooling organizations in your area for more help or contact your county superintendent of schools.  Plan to file a Notice of Intent to homeschool with your county superintendent or child's current principal.  (This document may also be known as an Affidavit of Intent, a Letter of Intent, a Notification of Intent, or a Declaration of Intent.  Sample from Tennessee.)   

• To Homeschooling Laws per State
• To Homeschooling Page
• To Homeschooling Organizations
• To National Homeschool Conventions List
• To Homeschooling Speakers and Workshop Leaders
• To Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)
• Please email me if you find a broken link.

Homeschooling Conventions in New Mexico (NM)
Conferences, Expos, and Book Fairs

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