Oklahoma Homeschooling Requirements

As concern over the public education system grows, parents look for alternative education methods. When parents turn to homeschooling as their preferred method, they must learn the requirements of their state to lawfully home school. Oklahoma's Constitution specifically provides for home schooling--the only state constitution in the U.S. that addresses homeschooling.
  1. Attendance

    • One of the few requirements for home schools in the state of Oklahoma is a 180 day school year. The days do not have to be the same days as public schools are in session, but the term has to be the same length. Oklahoma law does not address the number of hours in a day that students need to be home-schooled.

    Recommended Subjects

    • Some Oklahoma courts have interpreted the law to say that home school education needs to be equivalent to public education. For that reason, when explaining the Oklahoma homeschooling laws, the Home School Legal Defense Association, a legal organization that specializes in interpreting homeschooling laws, recommends that social studies, language arts, math and science be taught. This is to ensure that you are in compliance with the state law. A definition of an equivalent education is not specifically provided and is left up to the interpretation of each individual family.

    School Ages

    • Legal guardians of children ages 5 to 18 in the state of Oklahoma are required to make sure the children are attending school. The school can be public, private or provided at home. A home school cannot be provided for the specific purpose of hiding a student's truancy. According to the HSLDA, parents in Oklahoma must educate in good faith, not simply as a way to keep children from attending a public school.

    Textbooks and Supplies

    • Public schools are not required to provide textbooks for home schooled students who reside in their district. Upon deciding to home school, parents accept the financial burden for their child's education.

    Withdrawing a Child from School

    • Many parents decide to start homeschooling partway through their child's education. If a child is already in public school, Oklahoma law makes it easy to withdraw that child. A parent has the right to withdraw his child from public school at any time. The state of Oklahoma requires the parent to inform the school's principal of his intention to withdraw his child in writing.

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