Every year, the parent or legal guardian of a home-schooled student must send a Declaration of Intent to Utilize a Home Study Program to the superintendent of the local school system. The intent must include the names and ages of all students being home-schooled as well as the address where the home study program will be administered. It must also give start and end dates for the home school year. The declaration must be submitted by September 1st each year, within 30 days of beginning a new home school program. The declaration form is available at the local school superintendent's office.
Parents or guardians who teach their own children must have at least a high school diploma or GED. Alternatively, they may hire a tutor who does have a high school diploma or GED to teach their children. The home school instructor, whether it is the child's parent or guardian or a tutor, must complete an annual progress report for each child in each required subject and must keep these reports for at least three years.
A home study program must provide instruction in reading, language arts, math, social studies and science. These are minimum requirements. Home study students will be tested at least every three years using a nationally standardized testing program. Tests must be administered by a qualified professional with experience in administering and interpreting such tests. As of September 2009, home school students were allowed to participate in the Governor's Honors academic recognition program.
A home-school year must consist of the equivalent of 180 days of 4.5 hours of instruction. The law provides exceptions when the child is physically unable to meet this requirement. The parent or guardian must send an attendance report to the local school superintendent on a monthly basis.