Home School

The Oklahoma Department of Education has several resources available to parents educating their children at home.

Teaching to standards can be very important to your child's success. Access quality educational resources by going to the Oklahoma Academic Standards page.

Parent/Guardian:

Oklahoma law provides for the compulsory attendance of all school children ages 5 through 18. This law has been interpreted by the Attorney General to allow for the education of a child in the home by a parent/guardian with the following guidelines for home instruction. These recommendations are not required by law; howeverfollowing these suggestions would allow a parent to prove they are providing a quality education.

1. Notify the principal of the school district the child resides in and inform them that you plan to home school your child.  Some schools may have you sign a form that releases them from the responsibility of educating the student also stating that you are assuming full responsibility for the education of your child.
2. It is important to know the Attorney General has ruled that while home instruction does not require a certified teacherthe instruction provided must be supplied in good faith and must be equivalent to the education provided by the state.
3. Home instruction should follow compulsory school age laws requiring childrenages 5 - 18to be enrolled in school.
4. Home school setting should maintain compulsory school attendance as well.  This would be the equivalent of 180 days per each calendar year and six clock hours or 360 minutes per dayas appropriate for child’s age.   It does seem clear that a point of the Attorney General’s opinion is that homeschooling must not be used as a maneuver to bypass truancy.
5. There is no required state approved curriculumbut a well-defined curriculum or design for learning should be implemented.  Required school subjects under Oklahoma law include: readingwritingmathsciencecitizenshipUS constitutionhealthsafetyphysical educationand conservation.
6. Academic progress must be established and maintained for the child.
7. For college-bound studentsrefer to the Oklahoma State Board of Education Regulations for Graduation listed on our website or required courses at the college of your choice.
8. The Attorney General has further ruled that a board of education is not required to furnish textbooksresourcesor other materials to home schooled students.
9. Because home schools are not accredited by the State Board of Educationa student will be required to take a standardized achievement test if he/she re-enters the public school system. Results of tests may be used to determine grade placement and/or credit for the student. All examinations will be administered by the receiving school and resultsas well as copies of the exam givenwill be kept on file for one year. Upon re-entry into a public schoolthe parent/guardian must provide documentation of compliance with the above requirements. This documentation will determine if the equivalent instruction was provided during home schooling.
10. Homeschools are not regulated and Oklahoma law does not require parents to register with or seek approval from state or local officialsconduct state testing with their studentsor permit public school officials to visit or inspect homes.