A parent who decides to home-school her child must first provide certain information to the superintendent of the school district. The superintendent must receive notification of the year for the home schooling, the parent's name and address, the teacher's name and address if someone other than the parent and the child's full name and date of birth. The parent must also include a short outline of the curriculum and a list of resources and materials the teacher will use.
The parent must also provide a signed assurance that she will comply with all home-schooling requirements. The superintendent must approve the arrangement before the child can begin home schooling.
A home-schooled child's curriculum must include at least 900 hours of instruction that covers several subjects. The child must receive education in language, reading, spelling and writing, geography, U.S. and state history, national, local and state government, math, science, health, physical education, fine arts and music, first aid, safety and fire prevention. A parent does not have to provide instruction in any subject that conflicts with her religious beliefs.
The person providing home instruction must meet Ohio's requirements for home teachers. The instructor must have either a high school diploma or equivalent, or have earned standardized test scores demonstrating that he possesses the equivalent of a high school education.
A person who does not have any of the above qualifications must receive direction from a person holding a bachelor's degree while teaching the child. This direction must continue until either the person receives one of the above qualifications or the child's test scores demonstrate an appropriate level of proficiency.
Each school year, the parent must provide an academic assessment report for the previous year to the superintendent. The report must include a national standardized test score administered by a certified teacher or individual agreed upon by the parent and superintendent. The score must indicate a proficient performance level compared to other children in the same grade.
Alternatively, the report can include a written report submitted by a certified teacher or person agreed upon by the parent and superintendent. This report must indicate that the teacher conducted a review of sample works by the child and determined that the child is at a proficient educational level.
If the academic report reveals a performance level below grade proficiency, the parent must subsequently provide a remediation plan to the superintendent. The parent must also submit a quarterly report that includes an assessment of the child's work and any explanation for the lack of study in any of the required subject areas.
Remediation continues until the superintendent determines that the child has reached proficiency. If the child does not reach this level, the superintendent can begin proceedings to revoke a parent's permission to home school.