Legal/Homeschool Laws
Laws that regulate home education vary from state to state. It is important to understand the legal requirements in your state and to be aware of legislative and other legal issues that affect homeschoolers in your community. We've compiled resources that will help you become informed. Although homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, and the vast majority of homeschoolers face no problems, you may find that you need legal assistance at some point in your homeschooling career. We've compiled a list of resources to help you find the support you need. And if you'd like to become more involved in working towards homeschooling freedoms, we discuss some of the issues facing homeschoolers that we hope you find compelling.
State Laws
Read the laws regulating home education in New Hampshire and browse through the case law and legal opinions relating to those laws, along with government publications relating to homeschooling and summaries of the laws.
Forms
Which forms do you need to fill out? Where can you get them? Here is a list of useful forms for homeschooling in New Hampshire.
Legal Support
If you need legal information or have run into a legal situation regarding your decision to homeschool, these resources will be helpful.
Lobbying Groups
A listing of local and national lobbying groups and information on how you can become involved in the political process to ensure the freedom to homeschool is protected.
Attorneys
When searching for an attorney, it is helpful to know whether he or she has experience working with homeschoolers and is interested in protecting the right to homeschool.
Legal Issues
Is homeschooling legal? Which laws pertain to homeschoolers and which don't? How do homeschoolers protect their rights to freely educate their children and to preserve their privacy?
Government Resources
A listing of local and state government resources, including your state's Department of Education, school districts, and Senate and House of Representative information.
What's Popular
New Hampshire Home School Laws from HSLDA
The Home School Legal Defense Association provides a brief summary of the homeschooling laws in New Hampshire. Includes a link to a legal analysis of laws relating to homeschooling in New Hampshire.
193-A:10 Home Education Advisory Council.
I. There is established the home education advisory council comprising 12 members. Members of the council shall be appointed by the commissioner of education from persons named as follows:
(a) Six members nominated by home educator associations organized within New Hampshire.
(b) Two members nominated by the department of education.
(c) One member nominated by the New Hampshire School Administrators Association.
(d) One member nominated by the New Hampshire Sc...
Home Education Advisory Committee (HEAC)
The Home Education Advisory Council (HEAC) meets monthly to discuss homeschooling issues. Advising the NH Board of Education, the HEAC has members who are homeschoolers as well as representatives from the Department of Education, public school administrators, school board members, and a representative of private schools.
New Hampshire Education Politics
A look at the history of politics as related to education in New Hampshire. Includes Supreme Court decisions, the Rasputin letters, analysis of legislative proposals, and other issues.
Compulsory School Age in Vermont
The laws in Vermont state that you must enroll your child in school from the day he or she turns 6 years old until he or she turns 16. This HSLDA article details the Vermont state compulsory school age regulations.
How to Withdraw Your Child from School in Vermont
If you want to start homeschooling during the school year and your child is currently enrolled in a public or private school, HSLDA recommends that you formally withdraw your child from that school. If you are going to start homeschooling after the school year is over, and your child is considered enrolled for the following year, we recommend that you withdraw your child before the next school year begins, so that the school does not mark your child as absent or truant.
193-A:9 Liability Limited.
The resident school district, the board of such district, and any employees of the resident school district associated with a child who is receiving home education in accordance with this chapter, are not liable in damages in a civil action for any injury, death or loss to person or property allegedly sustained by that child, his parent, or any other person as a result of the child's receipt of home education, including but not limited to, any liability allegedly based on the failure of the chil...
193-A:6 Records; Evaluation.
I. The parent shall maintain a portfolio of records and materials relative to the home education program. The portfolio shall consist of a log which designates by title the reading materials used, and also samples of writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials used or developed by the child. Such portfolio shall be preserved by the parent for 2 years from the date of the ending of the instruction.
II. The parent shall provide for an annual educational evaluation in which is docu...
193-A:3 Rulemaking.
The state board of education shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, relative to administering the home education program.
193-A:2 Program Established.
There is established the home education program to be administered by the department of education.
Summary of the Legal Requirements for Homeschooling in New Hampshire
Information about the legal requirements in New Hampshire.
193-A:1 Definitions.
In this chapter:
I. "Child" means a child or children at least 6 years of age and under 16 years of age who is a resident of New Hampshire.
II. "Nonpublic school" means a nonpublic school approved pursuant to rules adopted by the state board of education and administered by the department of education and which has agreed to administer the relevant provisions of this chapter.
III. "Parent" means a parent, guardian, or person having legal custody of a child.
IV. "Resident ...
How to Comply with Vermont's Homeschool Law
Vermont law specifically refers to homeschooling in 16 V.S.A. § 11(a)(21) and 16 V.S.A. § 166b. To homeschool under this statute, you’ll need to follow these guidelines. Necessary steps include sending in a written enrollment notice, submitting a narrative describing the content to be provided in each subject area, obtaining acknowledgement of compliance, teaching the required subjects and assessing your child annually.
New Hampshire Department of Education Procedures for Operation of Home Education Programs
A listing of the requirement to legally homeschool in New Hampshire. This is a Department of Education publication.
193-A:7 Hearing; Notice and Procedure.
I. Prior to the acknowledgment of notification as provided in RSA 193-A:5, I, if the commissioner has written and substantiated information which strongly implies that a home education program will not meet the requirements of RSA 193-A:4, I and RSA 193-A:5, II and that, based on such information, the commissioner decides to withhold acknowledgment, he shall immediately schedule a due process hearing as provided in paragraph III. In order to be granted acknowledgment of notification by the comm...
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