Provided the rules and regulations given by each state are met, home schooling is legal in all 50 of the United States of America. The rules and regulations regarding home schooling vary greatly from state to state and sometimes require a parent to file an annual declaration of intent to home school their child, as well submit a curriculum or individualized teaching plan. In some states, such as New York, parents must also maintain attendance records, and conduct standardized tests. The Home School Legal Defense Association provides information regarding specific laws and regulations enforced by each state.
Parents both experienced in home schooling and unfamiliar with the educational style often have difficulty deciding how to implement a varied and substantial curriculum into their child's education that both meets and meshes well with their child's specific educational needs, learning ability and pace. This can lead to a false assumption that a set or pre-packaged curriculum is necessary for the student. While a pre-packaged curriculum can guide students on what they or want need to learn, some home-schooling facilitators encourage a more direct and hands-on approach to learning. For example, volunteering at a museum or local business can provide a student with extensive knowledge on topics otherwise not accessible in a typical classroom setting.
In 2011, there are no laws in any state in the U.S. that regulate or require parents to gain teaching credentials to be able to home school their child. Similarly, parents are not required to designate a sole facilitator to teach their child and can therefore hire a tutor or other external assistance to facilitate in their child's educational path. Tutors can fill a crucial role to teach a student subjects that parents are not completely familiar with.
Many states do not offer high-school diplomas to home-school students, which can sometimes make getting into college a challenge. Home-school students who wish to enter college or a post-secondary school are often required to take a standardized or placement test, such as the SAT or ACT. Colleges use the test scores to evaluate a student's educational skill level so that students are placed in the appropriate classes that match their specific needs. However, standardized testing is only one option for college-ready students, and not all colleges require students to take the SAT or ACT. It is critical to research the school and its specific requirements before applying.