Welcome to Louisiana Homeschooling Online, your comprehensive resource for homeschooling in the Creole State. Whether you are a Louisiana resident or considering a move to this vibrant state, we are here to guide you through the ins and outs of homeschooling.
If you are looking for a trusted homeschooling program, we are pleased to inform you that High School of America offers accredited homeschooling programs in Louisiana. With its high-quality curriculum and experienced instructors, High School of America provides a robust educational experience tailored to the needs of homeschooling families. You can be confident in their accreditation, ensuring your child’s education is recognized and valued.
Embark on your homeschooling journey in Louisiana with confidence and discover the many opportunities and advantages that homeschooling can offer.
In this guide, you will find all the essential information about homeschooling laws, regulations, and requirements specific to Louisiana.
Homeschooling Law in Louisiana
In the Creole State, there are two ways in which parents can legally homeschool. These two options are:
- Registering as a Board of Education-approved home study program
- Registering as a home-based private school not seeking state approval
1. Louisiana Homeschool Mandates for Option 1
The Louisiana homeschool law requires students between 7 and 18 to attend school. In 2022-2023, the state requires children from age 5 to attend school.
Parents are required to do the following under the Board of Education-approved home study choice (option 1):
- Obtain approval from the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education within 15 days of starting a homeschool program. Required information and certified copies of student birth certificates should be included in the request.
- Submit an annual application to continue homeschooling by October 1 or twelve months after the initial approval.
- Conduct schooling for a minimum of 180 days per year.
- Teach subjects comparable to what is being taught in public schools, corresponding to the same grade levels.
- Keep records of student immunizations up to date.
Parents are required to submit one of the following together with their annual application:
- A file that contains a list of their homeschool curriculum, copies of standardized tests, samples of children’s work, an outline of every subject, and any other outside academic assessments; or
- Documentation proving that the student has achieved a satisfactory score on the Louisiana Educational Assessment Program Test; or
- Documentation indicating the student’s performance on a standardized test that has been approved by the state board of education; or
- A statement provided by a certified teacher who teaches the same grade level as the student, affirming that the student’s education level is equivalent to that of public schools.
Learners registered in homeschooling program might qualify for a Louisiana Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) award based on ACT scores.
2. Louisiana Homeschool Mandates for Option 2
High school learners enrolled in homeschooling and not seeking state approval (option 2) do not qualify for the TOPS award. Though, these homeschools have fewer state regulations. Parents must do the following in order to run a homeschool under option 2:
- Inform the student’s previous school, if applicable, within ten days of starting a home education program. The notice ought to include all necessary information.
- Decline any financial assistance from the state or federal government.
- Submit an annual attendance notice to the Louisiana Board of Education by the 30th day of the school term.
- Conduct teaching activities for a total of 180 days every year.
Other requirements under the Louisiana homeschool law are as follows:
Required Courses
Louisiana mandates that homeschooling programs must provide a curriculum of comparable quality and consistency to what is being taught in public schools.
Grades 9-12
- English (4 credits)
- Math (4 credits)
- Science (4 credits)
- Social Studies (4 credits)
- Foreign Language (2 credits)
- Art (1 credit)
- Health and physical education (2 credits)
- Electives (3 credits)
Attendance Requirement
Parents, guardians, or those in charge of a child aged between seven and eighteen must ensure that the child attends school regularly.
Yearly Assessment
Students in a homeschooling program are not obligated to participate in state assessments unless the homeschool seeks approval from the Louisiana Board of Secondary and Elementary Education.
Withdrawing Your Child from School in Louisiana
If your children currently attend a public or private school and you intend to homeschool them, you will need to officially withdraw them. Usually, sending a certified withdrawal letter to your school district is sufficient.
Special Education Provisions
Louisiana does not impose additional requirements on parents who wish to homeschool their special needs children. Homeschooling students are not entitled to receive special education services. However, students who homeschool under the private school option may be eligible for certain special education services.
Record Keeping
Louisiana mandates parents or legal parents homeschooling under option 1 to maintain records of their:
- Annual renewal letter
- Initial request for homeschooling approval
- Annual file (standardized test scores, other educational assessments, student work samples, subject outlines, and curriculum)
Irrespective of the homeschooling option you choose, it is crucial to keep a file for every student that contains:
- Attendance records
- Immunizations
- Information on curriculum used and subjects taught
- Samples of pupil work
- School district correspondence, including forms filed
- Standardized test scores and assessments
Homeschool Graduation Requirements in Louisiana
There are no specific graduation requirements for homeschoolers in Louisiana. Parents are responsible for deciding the best courses for their students and determining the credits to assign them.
In addition, they set criteria for when their high school students are prepared to get a diploma.
Notably, diplomas for homeschoolers are recognized by all public high schools, state commissions, boards, agencies, departments, and all other local/state government agencies.
Enrolling in Public School after Homeschooling
Some families choose to homeschool their children for a temporary period of one year, while others opt for homeschooling as a long-term solution.
Regardless of the duration, it’s essential to be prepared if the family decides to enroll their child in public school later.
When transitioning to public school, it’s crucial to understand that each school will have its own guidelines regarding enrollment and grade placement.
Some schools may allow parents to choose the grade their child will enter, while others might require information about the homeschooling curriculum and progress or even administer assessment tests to determine the appropriate grade level for the child.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is homeschooling easy in Louisiana?
Yes, homeschooling in Louisiana is considered easy as the state has minimal requirements and is labeled as a low-regulation state by the Home School Legal Defense Association.
How many days of homeschooling are required in Louisiana?
Both the Approved Home Study option and the Nonpublic School Not Seeking State Approval option in Louisiana require homeschoolers to have at least 180 days of school.
Do parents need qualifications to homeschool in Louisiana?
No, parents in Louisiana are not required to have any specific qualifications to homeschool their children.
Do you need to be certified to homeschool in Louisiana?
No, parents in Louisiana are not required to be certified teachers or hold any specific credentials to homeschool. Having an educational background or degree is optional.
Who is eligible for homeschooling in Louisiana?
Any parent of a child who is eligible to attend public schools in Louisiana can homeschool their child as long as they file an annual notification and meet other requirements.
Are homeschoolers in Louisiana required to take standardized tests?
No, homeschoolers in Louisiana are not required to undergo state assessment through standardized testing.
Can I homeschool someone else’s child in Louisiana?
Louisiana homeschool laws focus on parents homeschooling their own children. While using tutors or cooperative learning environments with another parent providing instruction may be acceptable, the parent should remain the primary supervisor of the overall instructional plan.
Is unschooling legal in Louisiana?
Yes, unschooling is a recognized form of education in Louisiana, allowing the child’s natural curiosity to guide their daily studies. It is permissible under the Nonpublic School option, and if choosing the Approved Home Study, certain requirements such as testing or curriculum must still be met, but unschooling practices can be integrated.
Online Homeschooling Statistics in Louisiana
In Louisiana, the number of children attending homeschools and small unregistered private schools has significantly increased over the past decade.
In 2020, approximately 40,000 children in the state were being educated through these nontraditional school settings, twice the number from ten years ago.
Moreover, there was a surge of 8,000 additional children joining homeschooling and private schools compared to the fall of 2019, marking a notable rise in enrollment since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
How to Do it: Kentucky Online Homeschooling
To begin homeschooling in Louisiana, follow these steps:
- Inform the state: You need to register your decision to homeschool by either mailing the necessary documents or submitting them online.
- Understand the regulations: Familiarize yourself with the requirements and recordkeeping obligations associated with your chosen homeschooling option. It’s crucial to comply with Louisiana’s homeschooling laws.
- Select a curriculum: Choose an appropriate curriculum that aligns with your educational goals and your child’s needs. Various resources are available, both online and offline, to assist you in finding a suitable curriculum.
- Embark on the learning journey: Once you have completed the above steps, you can begin homeschooling and enjoy learning together with your child. Explore different activities, subjects, and teaching methods to make the experience engaging and enjoyable.
Benefits of Louisiana Homeschooling Online
Homeschooling online in Louisiana offers several benefits for families who choose this educational option. Here are some advantages of homeschooling online in Louisiana:
- Flexibility: Online homeschooling allows for greater flexibility in terms of scheduling. Families can customize their learning hours to fit their individual needs, allowing students to learn at their own pace. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for families with unique circumstances or for students who require a more flexible schedule due to extracurricular activities or other commitments.
- Personalized Learning: Homeschooling online enables personalized learning experiences tailored to each student’s needs and learning style. Online platforms often offer adaptive learning technologies that can adjust the curriculum to match the student’s skill level, providing targeted instruction and support. Students can progress at their own pace and spend more time on challenging topics or move quickly through subjects they excel in.
- Safe Learning Environment: Homeschooling online allows families to create a safe and comfortable learning environment for their children. Students can study in the comfort of their homes without the distractions and pressures commonly found in traditional school settings. This safe and supportive atmosphere promotes focus, reduces stress, and fosters a positive attitude toward learning.
- Enhanced Parental Involvement: Online homeschooling encourages active parental involvement in a child’s education. Parents or guardians play a significant role as facilitators, mentors, and guides throughout the learning process. They have the opportunity to develop strong bonds with their children, understand their unique learning needs, and actively participate in their academic growth and development.
- Access to Diverse Resources: Online homeschooling provides access to a wide range of educational resources and materials. Families can leverage online libraries, virtual field trips, interactive learning tools, and multimedia resources to enhance their child’s educational experience. This access to diverse resources enriches the learning process, exposes students to various perspectives, and promotes independent research skills.
- Socialization Opportunities: While online homeschooling may not involve traditional classroom settings, there are still ample opportunities for socialization. Homeschooling families often participate in local homeschooling groups, co-op programs, and extracurricular activities, where students can interact with peers and engage in collaborative learning experiences. Additionally, online platforms may facilitate virtual group projects, discussion boards, and forums, fostering social connections among students.
Final Thoughts!
Homeschooling in Louisiana has significantly shifted towards online platforms, offering parents and students a flexible and accessible alternative to traditional classroom settings.
With the rise of technology and the increasing availability of online resources, homeschooling has become more streamlined and interactive, catering to diverse learning styles and individual needs.
Louisiana’s homeschooling requirements, such as homeschool registration, instruction hours, and record-keeping, ensure accountability and the provision of quality education.
By embracing online homeschooling, families in Louisiana can create personalized learning experiences that foster academic growth, independence, and a strong sense of community within the homeschooling network.