I need a list of best and worst places to homeschool.

[Apiphobic]

That is all.

[KingM]

One of the worst places to HS is our little corner of Northern New England because the public schools are so darn good. :tongue_smilie:

[elegantlion]

State wise? Tx seems to be the easiest, PA and NY seems to have more hoops.

 

I've homeschooled in MO and now LA and neither is too restrictive in my opinion. Keeping track of hours in MO can be a pita, but not horrible.

 

Are you asking about something besides states?

[Emmy]

Illinois is really easy.

[Orthodox6]

I guess you mean which states are more "user friendly" ?

 

Texas

Oklahoma

 

I live in Texas, where we are left completely alone. No registration, no requirements (there are very loose requirements, but nobody checks on their execution), no testing, no nothing. The down side is that people can get away with "educational murder" and allege that they are homeschooling. (I've seen this up close.) I can roll with that for the sake of possessing the freedom to do a good job in the ways that we see fit !

[Jill- OK]

No regulations other than "provide your child with at least as good an education as they'd get in public schools". And school for 180 days.

 

But you contact no one, register with no one, aren't required to test, etc. It's the honor system, so to speak. :D

 

OK addresses this in the state constitution, and doesn't strictly define the "equivalency".

Edited July 2, 2009 by Jill, OK

[Leanna Tomlinson]

http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp

 

Here is a link to a map of the USA. HSLDA has coded the states according to the amount of regulation required in each state. The states listed with high regulations include: RI, MA, NY, PA, VT, and ND.

 

HTH,

Leanna

[Orthodox6]

Thanks for posting the map ! I noticed with interest that Alabama (where we lived for ten years) is coded for "low regulation", defined as providing "notice" only. When we lived there that would not have been enough. We were forced to join an umbrella school, and to submit attendance data.

[Sharon H in IL]

Illinois is really easy.

 

:iagree: No records, no reports, no testing, no notification. Yup, Illinois definitely is doing something right.

[Satori]

I also found this article written last year:

Which States Have the Best Homeschooling Laws?

[KidsHappen]

OK and then TX are far and away the best. WI and NV also pretty easy. FL and TN a little more challanging but not awful.

[asta]

http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp

 

Here is a link to a map of the USA. HSLDA has coded the states according to the amount of regulation required in each state. The states listed with high regulations include: RI, MA, NY, PA, VT, and ND.

 

HTH,

Leanna

 

Vermont? Really?

 

I never would have guessed that; they are so independent otherwise.

 

 

a

[KJB]

Everywhere I've lived since I've had school aged children! We've lucked out so far.

 

Illinois, ALASKA (my favorite place to home school!), overseas under SOFA

 

If you're pcs'ing and haven't been to Alaska, it's worth it just for the home schooling, imo. (And it's a neat place to live anyway!)

[mom4him]

That is all.

We are in SD and I think it is very easy to hs in. I have to file an exemption form every year that says I will be hs my two and who will be the main instructors, have it witnessed and I am done. I am required to do the 3 R's with them and that is all. Oh, they have to take test at end of 2nd, 4th, 8th and 11th grades and the results of that need to be handed in with the exemption form.

I have never had any one contact me(other than if I want to use the state paid for test) in any way. I do try to get on or two of my sig. from influential people that we have as neighbors but they are always happy to do it.

I am not required to keep any kind of records at all. I do keep records/work completed as recommended by HSLD.

[MrsMe]

Arizona. File intent once. That's it.

No recording, no testing, no # of days, no nothing.

[kah]

I was surprised that VA was coded orange. When I read the requirements when I was looking into it, it seemed pretty easy, and I know so many families that do homeschool that I would have guessed it was one of the "friendlier" areas. Maybe that's just our county?

[Emmy]

:iagree: No records, no reports, no testing, no notification. Yup, Illinois definitely is doing something right.

 

We don't even have to keep track of days - it's awesome really. Total freedom to educate my kids as I see fit.

[Firefly]

Here in CT, you don't even have to let the PTB know you are homeschooling. All participation with the School Department is voluntary.

[Jennifer in MI]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Michigan! No notification, no testing, no attendance requirements. Nada. Nothing! Easy peasy!!

[K&Rs Mom]

Michigan has no notification, testing, days/attendance, etc. It can get tricky if dc wants to play highschool sports, as policies vary by district, but there are a bunch of homeschool teams available too. There is a list of required subjects, but no way for the state to find out whether you're actually teaching any/all of them.

[NicksMama-Zack's Mama Too]

I was surprised that VA was coded orange. When I read the requirements when I was looking into it, it seemed pretty easy, and I know so many families that do homeschool that I would have guessed it was one of the "friendlier" areas. Maybe that's just our county?

 

I think VA is pretty easy to homeschool in. All you need is a high school diploma and do some sort of testing(CAT-E) and letter of intent once a year.

 

The big PLUS for homeschooling in VA is the easy access to Washington DC, Williamsburg, and the many other great resources.:D

[Karen in CO]

CO is coded Orange, but it is easy and there are lots of homeschoolers and there are lots of options from the districts for support. You file a notice of intent every year and submit test scores or evaluation results every other year after third grade. Most districts have at least one homeschool outreach or charter school program and also accept out-of-district homeschoolers. My dd goes to a once a week program that offers Spanish, music, hands-on science, art, field trips, p.e., and "clubs". There is also a 2 day-a-week program offered as part of a charter school that does "classical" education - including phonics, grammar, Saxon math, Latin, and some other stuff and offers high school kids an option to take classes with the regular students. There are many other choices. I also know many homeschoolers that have played varsity football and basketball and been part of the marching band. Its not all just about the amount of regulations. There are other factors - our state constitution includes a reference to education a child as a parents basic right and responsibility. It makes a big difference in how the rest is interpreted.

 

“It is the primary right and obligation of the parent to choose the proper education and training for

children under his care and supervision. It is recognized that home-based education is a legitimate alternative to classroom attendance for the instruction of children and that any regulation of non-public home-based educational programs should be sufficiently flexible to accommodate a variety of circumstances. The General Assembly further declares that non-public home-based educational programs shall be subject only to minimum state controls which are currently applicable to other forms of non-public education.”

[AndyJoy]

Idaho is super easy, plus the state educational code allows you to dual-enroll your kids in public school for sports or courses you don't want to teach at home. I went to a tiny Christian school but played basketball & softball for the public school and took Pre-Calc, Chemistry, Accounting, Calculus, and AP Chemistry there since my school couldn't offer these courses.

[Desert Rat]

I'm in Southern Nevada and it's super easy here. One time filing. If you move or enter the school system and then exit again you need to refile. Otherwise, you're good. No time accounting sheets, no annual tests, nothing.

However, lately I have met several homeschooling families that make me think maybe it's too relaxed. I mean I'm really diligent we go above and beyond. I want my boys to learn as much as we possibly can. Not all people think that way. I think I would be willing to be more regulated just so others would have to accountable as well.

[Krista in LA]

http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp

 

Here is a link to a map of the USA. HSLDA has coded the states according to the amount of regulation required in each state. The states listed with high regulations include: RI, MA, NY, PA, VT, and ND.

 

 

I don't like that map because it makes LA look like it's harder than it is. We have two options, the one of which only requires you to send a letter to the state DOE each year saying you will school for at least 178 days and how many students you have. Nobody checks up on you, just send the letter and you are done. So, It really is an easy state to homeschool in. There is another option that requires some hoop jumping, but I don't know of a single homeschooler who uses it.

[shinyhappypeople]

California, because of the options available. If you want to go totally independent, you file a Private School Affidavit online. It takes about 5 minutes and you're done.

 

BUT... if you want, there are also lots of public charter schools for homeschoolers that provide optional classes, funding for extra-curriculars (like sports, classes, etc.).

[Melinda]

I was homeschooled for one year in Alaska, and I agree with whoever said that's the easiest place. They will even send you school materials for free (down to pencils and paperclips).

 

Maryland is coded orange, but we have had a super easy time of it here. I think it varies by county. In our county, we meet with a portfolio reviewer once/semester and talk for 5-10 min. We give them a list of curriculum/level for each subject and show them one completed worksheet/project from each subject. Even doing that stuff is above and beyond. We have never been asked for ID, HS diploma, or anything else.

[Amira]

Idaho has no requirements; Utah requires you to send in a form every year. I have to do a little more than that now that we're in Washington, but not much more, since the only thing that actually has to be sent in every year is a notice form.

 

For requirements though, the easiest place we've homeschooled is Kyrgyzstan. No one cared what we did there. Of course, getting homeschooling supplies there wasn't so easy...

[Jill- OK]

I was surprised that VA was coded orange. When I read the requirements when I was looking into it, it seemed pretty easy, and I know so many families that do homeschool that I would have guessed it was one of the "friendlier" areas. Maybe that's just our county?

 

...to other places.

 

If you're comparing it to a place where *no* contact with school systems is required, *at all*, then...wouldn't it be highly regulated?

 

(I homeschooled in VA, and would put it--as well as any state that required anything more than notification--as "highly" regulated.)

[In The Great White North]

Vermont? Really?

 

I never would have guessed that; they are so independent otherwise.

 

 

 

Nope, that would be "Live Free or Die" New Hampshire. VT is socialist. High taxes, lots of services. Homeschooling is a huge paperwork drill, and has lots of mandatory requirements (including studying Vermont every year!! - which they don't even do in the public school.) About the only thing we don't have to do is count days.

[TwinMominTX]

Best: Texas. No testing, no oversight.

 

Worst: ???

Edited July 2, 2009 by TwinMominTX
Need to read more carefully.

[Aunty Social]

NJ. No testing, no oversight, no reporting....you're all on your own. The only thing you might want to do is send a letter of intent to your district - but if my kids had never been in the system I wouldn't have bothered.

[springmama]

Alabama is really easy too. There are tons of homeschoolers here and an abundance of things to do specifically for homeschoolers. Besides that the laws are easy-

 

register with a cover school

take attendance

[Ibbygirl]

worst place~ the bathroom.

[lovemyboys]

That is all.

 

Happy hiatus.

 

Nothing to add that others haven't said, just saying hi.

[ciyates]

Indiana is the easiest and the some of the PS are very happy to work with you. We live in the most South East corner. Cincinnati is literally across the street. We have the all of the benefits of the city and none of the hassles.

[BigMamaBird]

Michigan has very easy HS laws. No testing, reporting, record keeping. And in my part of the state, Capitol area, the HS community is active and vibrant. Lots of activities, coops, athletic clubs, etc.

[LUV2EDU]

Texas is one of the easiest states to homeschool. Homeschools in Texas are considered private schools.

 

 

 

1. No minimum number of days taught per year.
   
2. No testing requirements.
   
3. No formal filing required, though recommended you tell the school's office you are withdrawing your child.
   
4. No Portfolio requirement. Texas only requirement is that you teach reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics and good citizenship.
   

 

[AngelaNYC]

Best for what it offers: NYC

 

Museums, Gardens, Parks, Theater, Diversity, Very active homeschool groups, Free Metrocards, 50 libraries in each county, Zoos, Restaurants, Community sports teams, Nice beaches & great skiing within an hour drive, Science centers, Environmental centers, Central Park, Ethnic neighborhoods (yum!), Ice skating, Shopping, and Endless opportunities for interning, volunteering, and pursuing your dreams

 

But folks don't like the regulations here. I find them a non-issue. It takes me less than an hour a YEAR to complete paperwork and it keeps the district off my back.

[KatherineNaomi]

:iagree: No records, no reports, no testing, no notification. Yup, Illinois definitely is doing something right.

 

Totally jealous New Yorker here. :seeya:

[JFSinIL]

Illinois is really easy.

 

I agree. No reporting to anyone, no oversight, no testing, no nothing!

 

Of course, Illinois is ranked dead LAST in services,etc. for folks with disabilities. I have one of those, too. Sigh.

[lisasaysto]

worst place~ the bathroom.

 

 

We have our world map tacked to the bathroom wall because it's the only open wall big enough in our small house! :tongue_smilie:

 

In regard to the original question: Mississippi requires a registration card at the beginning of every year, but there are no penalties in the law if it's not filled out. There's nothing else -- no number of days, no subjects, no testing at all.

[whitestavern]

Haven't read through the whole thread, but CT is extremely easy. No oversight, no reporting, nothing.

[Christy B]

NC is very easy, IMO. File notice of intent one time; maintain attendance, yearly standardized testing, and vaccination records *in your home*. Correspond with and answer to the state Department of Non-Public Education, so the rules are the same no matter what county you live in. If the state wants to see any of your records, they have to send you a letter and set an appointment. My understanding is that they can't even demand to come in your home (although you may invite them in) but you can literally hand them the papers out the front door!

 

Also, NC has great dual-enrollment options for high schoolers at the community colleges.

 

You can also choose from mountains or coast.

 

And I could be your neighbor, so, obviously, NC is best. :tongue_smilie:

[Suzanne in ABQ]

NM is very easy.

 

CA is even easier.

[Garga]

OooOOOOooooh! I have seen this thread title all day, but didn't read it. I thought you meant what's the best and worst place like: in a special quiet room for homeschool vs trying to homeschool in a crowded bus station or something.

 

The worst place would be at a McDonald's play area I think.

[Leah]

worst place~ the bathroom.

 

:lol:

[asta]

Nope, that would be "Live Free or Die" New Hampshire. VT is socialist. High taxes, lots of services. Homeschooling is a huge paperwork drill, and has lots of mandatory requirements (including studying Vermont every year!! - which they don't even do in the public school.) About the only thing we don't have to do is count days.

 

My bad - showing my ignorance of the northeastern states...

 

Thank you for clarifying.

 

 

a

[asta]

We have our world map tacked to the bathroom wall because it's the only open wall big enough in our small house! :tongue_smilie:

 

In regard to the original question: Mississippi requires a registration card at the beginning of every year, but there are no penalties in the law if it's not filled out. There's nothing else -- no number of days, no subjects, no testing at all.

 

We do too!

 

There is a benefit though: we can learn world geography while on the potty!

 

 

a

[rafiki]

.