A homeschool teacher can only teach up to four unrelated students. She, however, can teach as many related children as she needs to. In Missouri, the minimum age of students obligated to attend school is seven, but if the homeschool teacher has children under the age of seven, she may send a written request to the Department of Education asking to teach them at home.
Homeschool instructors must teach 1,000 hours in each school year. They must teach the core subjects of reading, math, social studies, language arts and science. Six hundred of the 1,000 hours must focus on these core subjects and the instructor must teach at least 400 of the 600 hours at the permanent homeschool site.
Homeschool teachers are required to keep up-to-date records of their teaching practices and their children's progress. These records should include a daily log of lessons and activities covered, a portfolio for each student consisting of assignments and other forms of their work. They also must make written assessments of each student's academic development. Records serve as an important safety net if a homeschool falls under investigation. Although it is optional, it may be a good idea for parents to file notice with the record of deeds detailing whom they are teaching at their homeschool, so they can avoid unwarranted inspections.
In a homeschool environment, students will qualify for a high school diploma if they complete 16 statutory credits. Each statutory credit must include at least 100 hours of study. If a student completes all necessary high school credits by the time he turns 16, he does not have to keep attending homeschool until the age of 17. Note that colleges or universities many not consider these statutory credits.