HOMESCHOOLING IN OKLAHOMA & HOMESCHOOL LAWS
You may be considering homeschooling in Oklahomabut don’t know where to start regarding Oklahoma homeschool laws. This guide will walk you through what you need to know to successfully set up your own program legally in the state. We’ll cover the history of homeschooling in Oklahomacurrent laws and regulationsrequired notifications and filingscurriculum and testing choicesthe high school transcriptextracurricular activitiesgraduation requirementsand special education services for homeschoolers.
This page is not intended to provide legal advice or otherwise constitute legal guidance. Always check your state regulations for the most current laws.
History of Homeschooling in Oklahoma
Oklahoma homeschooling was legalized in 1907 and is the only state to include the right to homeschool in its state constitution. Oklahoma law recognizes the right to homeschool under homeschool laws “so long as the private instruction is supplied in good faith and equivalent in fact to that afforded by the State.”
Over the next few decadesthe Oklahoma homeschooling community continued to growand homeschool laws evolved to provide more flexibility and options for homeschoolers. In the case of Snyder v. Asberythe Court of Appeals ruled in favor of a homeschool fatheroverturning a previous judgment and granting him custody of his two children.
Todayhomeschool is a widely accepted and respected educational choice in Oklahoma. Oklahoma homeschool laws are considered relatively permissivegiving families a high degree of freedom and responsibility in directing their children’s learning path.
Current Oklahoma Homeschool Laws and Regulations
In the sooner statecompulsory attendance applies to children between the ages of 5 and 18. Families are responsible for ensuring their children receive schooling during these years. Truancy laws also apply to children between the ages of 5 and 18 who are not enrolled in a publicprivateor home program.
The state’s compulsory law defines a “homeschool” as a “private school that offers a privately fundedprivately staffedand privately controlled system of education.” This allows homeschool families to operate their home-based programs with a high degree of flexibilitywithout many Oklahoma homeschool laws.
How to Set Up a Homeschool In Oklahoma
While homeschooling in Oklahoma is pretty relaxedknowing the requirements is key to a successful experience. To set up a homeschool in Oklahoma and begin homeschooling Oklahoma requires the following steps:
Step 1: Inform the district about your intention to home educate your child. Some schools may request a signed form relieving them of educational responsibilities and confirming your assumption of full responsibility for your child’s learning for the school year.
Step 2: It’s crucial to understand that the Attorney General has clarified that although homeschooling doesn’t mandate a certification to teachthe instruction provided must be genuine and equivalent to state-provided instruction.
Step 3: Develop a homeschool curriculum and plan for your child’s learning. There are no subject requirements for homeschooling in Oklahoma. Oklahoma homeschool laws do not require specific homeschool curriculumbut the education provided should cover language artsmathematicssciencecitizenshipUS constitutionhealthsafetyphysical edand conservation. You can choose from a wide variety of homeschool curricula and instructional approaches to create a customized educational program that meets the needs of your homeschooled child.
Step 4: If you are moving to the sooner state from another state and were previously home schoolingnotify your local district in writing of your intent to continue Oklahoma homeschooling.
Step 5: You do not need teaching credentials to homeschool in Oklahoma. Parents are considered competent instructors under Oklahoma homeschool laws.
Maintaining Your Oklahoma Homeschool
The sooner state does not require any specific paperwork or filing to maintain a home education. Howeverit is highly advisable to keep detailed records of your child’s homeschool curriculumincluding:
Curriculum and lesson plans.
Work samples and assignments.
Test scores and evaluations.
Attendance records.
Reading logs and book lists.
Field trip documentation.
Co-op or group class records.
When homeschooling in Oklahomait is important to establish a clean environment where distractions are limited for your child to study on a regular schedule. Before you start homeschoolingconsider creating an annual portfolio for each childdocumenting their coursework and accomplishments throughout the school year to prepare for college and other life opportunities.
Oklahoma Homeschool Reporting Requirements
Oklahoma does not have any specific homeschool requirements for reporting by parents. Homeschool families are not required to submit test scores or other documentation to the state.
Howeverit is a good practice to keep detailed records of your child’s academic progressincluding any standardized test scoresin case you need to provide evidence of educational achievement in your Oklahoma homeschool. While not legally requiredsome homeschool families choose to have their children take standardized tests to ensure they are making adequate progress.
Homeschool Testing In Oklahoma
The Department of Education does not offer state assessments for nonpublic students. Private options are accessible for families seeking annual testing for their children. Homeschool students can participate in these private optionsincluding the PSATSATACTand AP exams.
Funding Your Oklahoma Homeschool
Unfortunatelythe state does not provide any direct funding for homeschool families. All costs associated with home schoolingincluding curriculumequipmentactivitiesand any testingmust be covered by the family.
Howeverthere are some ways to reduce the financial burden of home schooling:
Join a local homeschool co-op or group to share resources and costs.
Take advantage of free or low-cost online educational sources.
Use the public library system for books and other materials.
Look for discounts on curricula and supplies from Oklahoma homeschooling retailers.
Consider selling used materials.
While homeschooling requires a financial investmentmany homeschool families find creative ways to provide a high-quality education on a reasonable budget.
Federal Tax Breaks
Homeschooling families may be eligible for certain federal tax benefits to help offset educational expenses. One option is a Coverdell Education Savings Accountwhich allows money to grow tax-free when used for qualified costs. Homeschool parents might also be able to deduct a portion of mortgage interest or rent if part of the home is used regularly and exclusively for homeschooling in Oklahoma. Finallytax credits could be available for required bookssuppliesequipment and curriculum used for homeschool instruction. To learn more about these potential tax advantageshomeschooling families should review the information and resources provided by the IRS.
Oklahoma Immunization Requirements
Oklahoma homeschool laws require homeschooled students to meet the same immunization requirements as students attending public school. Parents must provide their local district with a record of their child’s immunizations or a valid exemption.
The State Department of Health outlines the required immunizations for each grade level. These include vaccinations for diseases such as poliodiphtheriapertussistetanusmeaslesmumpsrubellaand chickenpox.
If you choose not to vaccinate your child due to medicalreligiousor personal reasonsyou must submit an exemption form to the local school district. The exemption form must be approved by the Oklahoma State Department of Health.
Oklahoma State Graduation Requirements
Oklahoma does not have specific graduation requirements for homeschooled students. Homeschool parents are responsible for ensuring their child’s education meets their standards and prepares them for their chosen path after high school.
Here are some general recommendations for a well-rounded high school education in the following subjects:
4 years of language arts.
3-4 years of mathematics including algebra and algebra ii.
3-4 years of science.
3-4 years of social studies.
2-3 years of a foreign language.
Electives in areas of interest (fine artsmusiccomputer technology).
Oklahoma Homeschool Charters
The state does not have any homeschool chartersstate-sponsored virtual schoolsor accredited homeschool programs in Oklahoma. All homeschooling in the state is parent-led and privately funded.
There are some online and virtual learning providers that offer curriculum for homeschoolersbut these are private companies and not affiliated with the state system. Families who wish to enroll their children in a public online program would need to do so through their local public school districtwhich may have different requirements than homeschooling.
Local Oklahoma Homeschooling Resources
Some of the best sources to help homeschool families be successful are associationssupport groupsand co-ops. While Oklahoma does not provide direct resources for homeschooling familiesthere are several Oklahoma homeschool groups that can be valuable resources:
Oklahoma Christian Home Educators: A statewide organization that provides supportresourcesand events for homeschooling families. OCHEC offers an annual conventionregional support groupsa lending libraryOklahoma field tripsand other services.
Oklahoma homeschool groups and homeschool co ops: Many citiessuch as Oklahoma Cityhave their own homeschool support groups that offer enrichment activitiesfield tripsco opsand networking with other homeschoolers. An example includes Green Country Homeschoolers.
Libraries: Public libraries across the sooner state offer a wealth of resources for home schools in Oklahomaincluding booksmediaonline databasesfield tripsand educational programs. Many libraries have dedicated coordinators who can assist new homeschoolers in finding appropriate resources.
Oklahoma Museums and Educational Institutions: Many museumszoosscience centersand other educational institutions in the stateincluding Oklahoma Cityoffer programsco opsfield tripsor special life events for homeschooling families. Examples include the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural Historyand Tulsa Air and Space Museum.
If you decide to homeschoolOklahoma is one of the states that has relaxed requirements. Remember to consult with other homeschooling familiessupport groupsand legal resources as needed as you learn how to homeschool in Oklahoma and start your homeschooling journey.
About the Author
Heather holds a JD from New England Law | Boston and is a licensed attorney in Massachusetts. Heather is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in education and the law. Currentlyshe is Legal Counsel and Program Manager for Homeschooling at SVHS. Previouslyshe served as the Director of Academic Programming and as a corporate attorney at a higher education startup. Heather’s expertise spans online learningcurriculum developmentaccreditationand strategic complianceensuring alignment with ever-evolving legal regulations.