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Vermont (VT) 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. Vermont: "Home schooling is an education program offered through home study that provides a minimum course of study and is offer to no more than the children residing in that home and two or fewer children not residing in that home from one family. Vt. Stat. Ann, tit. 16, § 11 (21) Parents wishing to home school their child must file a written notice with the Commissioner each year. The notice must contain the name and age of the child, contact information for parent and instructor, assessment of the previous year if the child was home schooled in the previous year, evidence that the child is or is not handicapped, a description of the content in each area, the name of the resident school district, and the signature of the parents. Vt. Stat. Ann, tit. 16, § 166b An annual assessment is required. Several options are open to parents, including assessment by a Vermont certified teacher or a teacher from an approved Vermont private school, a standardized achievement test, or a report by the instructor accompanied by a portfolio of the child’s work. Public schools may allow home schools to use the resources of the public school. A child eligible for special education services does not lose the right to services if home schooling is chosen. Acceptance of home school credit is at the discretion of the receiving school or college. No public high school diploma is issued for a home schooled child. The minimum course includes basic communication skills (reading, writing, and use of numbers), citizenship, history, government, physical education, comprehensive health education, English and American literature, natural sciences, and fine arts. Vt. Stat. Ann, tit. 16, §§ 131, 166b, 906." (Source: "State Regulation of Private Schools," Vermont, by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Non-Public Education (2000).) LINKS TO HELPFUL SITES CountiesDisclaimer: 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.)
Homeschooling Conventions in Vermont (VT) |
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