Ohio Homeschool Requirements

Under ORC §3321.04, parents who choose to educate their children at home must annually notify the superintendent of the school district in which the child resides. The notification must be submitted before August 1 for the upcoming school year or within 14 days of establishing the homeschool. Ohio Admin. Code §3301-34-03 specifies that the notice must include the child's name, age, address, and the name and address of the person providing instruction. The superintendent has 14 days to respond. If the superintendent determines the home education program does not comply, the parent has 60 days to demonstrate compliance or enroll the child in a recognized school.

Ohio Admin. Code §3301-34-03 requires that home instruction cover: language arts (including reading, spelling, writing, English grammar), mathematics, science, social studies (including history, geography, civics), health (including physiology and hygiene), physical education, fine arts (including music and visual art), and first aid (including safety and fire prevention). These subjects align with what is taught in public schools at the same grade level. Parents have flexibility in the curriculum, textbooks, and materials they use to cover these subjects, as long as the breadth of subjects is addressed.

Ohio Admin. Code §3301-34-03 mandates that home education programs provide a minimum of 900 hours of instruction per school year. This requirement applies to all grades. Parents must maintain records of instructional hours as part of their recordkeeping obligations. The 900-hour minimum is consistent with the requirement for public school districts under ORC §3313.48. There is no requirement for a minimum number of school days (as opposed to hours). The instructional time can be spread throughout the year in a flexible manner.

Ohio Admin. Code §3301-34-03 requires annual assessment of home-educated students. Parents may select from several options: (1) a nationally standardized achievement test administered by a qualified person, (2) a portfolio of the child's work reviewed by a certified teacher chosen by the parent, or (3) any other assessment measure approved by the superintendent. Results must be submitted to the superintendent by August 1. If a child's assessment shows inadequate academic progress, the superintendent may require a remediation plan. The assessment requirement applies to each child being home educated.

Ohio Admin. Code §3301-34-03 requires parents to maintain records of the home education program. Required records include: (1) a log of instructional hours showing the number of hours spent on each subject, (2) samples of the child's work in each subject, (3) assessment results as required annually, and (4) a copy of the notification submitted to the superintendent. Records must be retained for a minimum of two years and made available to the superintendent upon request. The superintendent may conduct an annual review of the home education program based on these records.

Under Ohio Admin. Code §3301-34-03, the parent or person providing home instruction must meet one of the following qualifications: (1) hold a high school diploma or its equivalent (GED), (2) hold a baccalaureate degree, (3) work under the supervision of a person who holds a baccalaureate degree, or (4) be certified as qualified by the district superintendent based on demonstrated ability. No state teaching license or certificate is required. If the parent does not meet any of the listed qualifications, the superintendent has discretion to approve the home education program if satisfied the parent is capable of providing adequate instruction. This is a relatively low bar compared to many states.

Ohio's school immunization requirements under ORC §3313.671 apply to children enrolled in schools, not to home-educated children. Home educators are not required to submit immunization records to the school district as part of the notification process. Ohio Admin. Code §3301-34-03 does not include immunization as a requirement for home education approval. However, if a home-educated child participates in any public school activities or dual enrollment, school immunization requirements may apply. Parents should consult the Ohio Department of Health for recommended immunization schedules.

Under Ohio law and the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), school districts have 'child find' obligations to identify and evaluate children with disabilities, including those who are home educated. However, home-educated children are not entitled to the same level of special education services as enrolled students. ORC §3323.01 et seq. governs special education in Ohio. Parents of home-educated children with disabilities may request an initial evaluation from the public school district. If the child is found eligible, the district must offer a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), but the parent may choose to continue home education without those services. Districts are not required to provide services to home-educated students under Ohio law beyond the evaluation itself.

When withdrawing a child from public school to begin home education in Ohio, parents must provide written notification to the superintendent as required by Ohio Admin. Code §3301-34-03. The school district must then withdraw the student from enrollment upon receipt of this notification. There is no waiting period required before home education may begin once proper notification is submitted. If a home-educated student wishes to re-enroll in public school, standard district enrollment procedures apply. Districts may request proof of academic progress as part of re-enrollment. Grade placement upon re-enrollment is typically determined by the school district based on the student's academic level.

ORC §3321.01 establishes that children between 6 and 18 years of age are subject to compulsory school attendance requirements. ORC §3321.04 provides that parents may satisfy this requirement through home education, provided they comply with the notification and curriculum requirements. Children who turn 18 are no longer subject to compulsory attendance. Children under 6 are not required to attend school and may be home educated without formal notification, though parents should verify local kindergarten enrollment requirements. Violations of compulsory attendance laws can result in truancy charges against parents.

Ohio does not provide a state-issued diploma for home-educated students. Parents may issue a home school diploma or transcript indicating the student has completed their home education program. ORC §3313.61 governs graduation requirements for public school students, but these do not apply to home-educated students. Home-educated students seeking college admission typically submit SAT/ACT scores, portfolios, transcripts prepared by parents, and other evidence of academic preparation. Some Ohio colleges and universities have specific admissions policies for home-educated applicants. Home-educated students may also take the GED examination to obtain a state-recognized credential.

ORC §3313.5312 (the 'Tim Tebow Law' equivalent for Ohio, enacted as part of HB 438) allows home-educated students to participate in extracurricular activities and interscholastic athletics at the public school in their resident district. To participate, home-educated students must: (1) meet academic eligibility requirements equivalent to those for public school students, (2) comply with the same codes of conduct, (3) submit the required notification to the school, and (4) meet any tryout or audition requirements. The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) governs eligibility for interscholastic sports. Home-educated students may also participate in non-athletic extracurricular activities such as band, choir, and clubs.