What states allow homeschooling? is a common question, especially if you’re just starting your research or getting ready to home school and may be wondering if it’s illegal to homeschool.
If you are in the United States, I have great news!
It is legal to homeschool in all 50 U.S. states.
However, homeschool state laws and requirements vary for each state. So, the homeschool requirements in California are different from the homeschool requirements in Florida which are different from other states.
The first thing you will want to do before starting your home school journey is to check your state laws and requirements for homeschooling.
Where is it illegal to homeschool?
If you live in another country, it may be illegal to homeschool. For example, it is currently illegal to homeschool in Germany.
However, if you are traveling as a military family and stationed in another country, you may be able to homeschool under U.S. laws.
Be sure to check the laws for military families living overseas in the specific country before you move!
Was homeschooling illegal in the US?
Homeschool is legal in the United States, but it wasn’t that long ago that homeschooling was illegal.
In 1837, Massachusetts opened the first public school. That marked the move toward compulsory education where children were required to attend school and parents could no longer homeschool.
From that point until 1956, homeschooling remained illegal.
In 1956, Nevada passed homeschooling legislation to once again allow homeschooling, followed closely by Utah in 1957.
However, it took a long time for other states to allow homeschooling.
It wasn’t until the 1980s, that other states followed.
And then, it was much, much later when the remaining states decided to allow homeschooling.
By 1993, all 50 states legally allowed homeschooling again.
(Not that long ago, right?)
ALSO CHECK OUT:
Weird and Shocking History of Homeschooling
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Which States Are Best for Homeschooling?
When people ask, “Which states are best for homeschooling?” or “Which states are the most homeschool friendly?” they usually mean “Which states have the most relaxed homeschool laws?”
There are states that have very strict homeschool laws and states that are more relaxed in their homeschooling laws.
Relaxed law homeschool states have less oversight and allow parents more freedom in homeschooling.
Currently, the most homeschool friendly states with little oversight and/or reporting requirements are:
- Alaska
- Connecticut
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Indiana
- Michigan
- Missouri
- New Jersey
- Oklahoma
- Texas
To see a full list of states and their level of homeschool laws (from relaxed to moderate to strict), check the HSLDA.
ALSO CHECK OUT:
What qualifications do you need to homeschool your child?
What are the requirements for homeschooling?
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