Children between the ages of 6 and 16 must receive schooling in Georgia. If a child is under the age of 6 but has attended more than 20 days of public school, the law also applies. Children must attend a minimum of 180 days of schooling each year, with each day lasting at least four and a half hours. At minimum, children must receive instruction in reading, language arts, math, science and social studies. Parents must submit an attendance record to the superintendent each month as proof of minimal attendance.
The parent who instructs a home-schooled student must have a minimum of a high school diploma or a GED. If parents employ a private tutor for instruction purposes, the tutor must hold the minimum of a high school diploma or GED.
A declaration of intent to home school must be submitted to the local school district's superintendent within 30 days of the home study program's beginning. It must also be submitted by Sept. 1 each year thereafter. The declaration should include the names and ages of students, location of the home school and the dates designated for the home school calendar year.
Home-schooled children must take a national standardized achievement test every three years after completing the third grade. Georgia law does not require submission of the test scores to public school authorities. Parents must also write an annual progress report and retain it for three years.