I always like to inform you, dear homeschool teacher, of changes that will affect you. This information was taken directly from Homeschool Legal Defense’s website. I encourage you to read the article for yourself. https://hslda.org/post/new-ohio-law-streamlines-homeschool-reporting-and-increases-freedom

On Tuesday, July 4, Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 33 into law bringing major improvements to Ohio homeschool law. By simplifying the law, the sources of many common conflicts between parents and schools have been eliminated.

Note: The new homeschool provisions go into effect 91 days after House Bill 33 is filed with the office of the Secretary of State, placing it after the beginning of the school year. If you plan to homeschool in the 2023-2024 school year, file your notice of intent (NOI) for an excuse under compulsory school attendance like normal and include a notice of intent for an exemption which will go into effect in October with this law. To read more about how to do this, click here.

What will this new homeschool law look like?

1. No more “excuses.”

Under the old law, homeschooling was an “excuse” from public school attendance. Parents submitted their notice of intent to homeschool and received an “excuse letter” back from their superintendent.  

Under the new law, parents will submit a much shorter notice of intent and exempt their child from compulsory school attendance. The superintendent is required to acknowledge receipt of the notice of intent within 14 calendar days, but this is not an excuse letter. This is a receipt.

HSLDA strongly recommends that parents maintain copies of their notification as well as proof of mailing or proof of delivery and all other correspondence with the school district.

2. New deadlines for paperwork.

Under the old regulations, a parent annually submitted a notice to their superintendent either (a) by the first week of the start of the public school the child would attend in the school district of residence, (b) within one week of the date on which the child began to reside in the district, or (c) within one week from the child’s withdrawal from a school.

Under the new law, notices of intent are due August 30 in all school districts (or within 5 days of starting a child’s homeschool program in Ohio.)

3. A much shorter notice.

Under the old regulations, parents submitted a notice of intent that included information about the child, various assurances, a brief outline of intended curriculum, a list of textbooks and other teaching material, and assessment information.

Under the new law, parents must transmit a notice of intent listing (1) the parent’s name and address, (2) the child’s name, and (3) an assurance that the child will receive education in the required subject areas. That is it. No other information is required to exempt your child from compulsory school attendance. HSLDA members can find a copy of the new NOI form here. Non- HSLDA members can access the letter here: LETTER

4. No more assessments.

Under the old regulations, parents were required to annually assess their children’s academic proficiency using either a standardized achievement test, a portfolio review, or another form of assessment agreed upon with the superintendent. Under the new law, there is no assessment requirement.

Note: While this is not required, I will still be available and happy to meet with you to review and discuss the year.

5. Fewer required subjects.

Under the old regulations, home instruction programs were required to teach language, reading, spelling, writing, geography, history of the United States and Ohio, government, math, science, health, physical education, fine arts (including music), first aid, safety, and fire prevention. Under the new law, a child must receive instruction in the subject areas of English language arts, mathematics, science, history, government, and social studies.

6. No teacher qualifications or required number of hours.

Under the old regulations, parents had to meet certain teacher qualifications and provide instruction for a certain number of hours. Under the new law, there are no longer any teacher qualifications or required number of hours.

I wanted to thank each of you who have allowed me to partner with you in providing a homeschool assessment these past 20+ years. I have loved seeing your children’s progress and rejoicing with you in what your children have done. As I stated earlier, I will still be happy to review your student’s work.

Have a great week! ~Lisa~

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Did you receive a letter from your school district stating your student needs to have some type of assessment from this past year? There has been some confusion from some school districts concerning this year’s requirements. If you homeschooled for the 2019-2020 school year and are going to continue to do so for the 2020-2021 school year, you do not need to have your child assessed. Of course, I am happy to do an assessment for you this year if you wish. You can email me at: schoolmarmohio@me.com 

You may include this paragraph from the Christian Home Educators of Ohio’s website with your letter of intent this year if you like.

Sub.H.B. 164, Section 5 was approved by the Ohio Legislature on June 11, 2020 “…that Section 17 of H.B. 197 of the 133rd General Assembly be amended to read as follows:

(L) No school district shall require the parent of any student who was instructed at home in accordance with section 3321.04 of the Revised Code for the 2019-2020 school year to submit to the district superintendent the academic assessment report required under rule 3301-34-04 of the Administrative Code as a condition of the district allowing the student to continue to receive home instruction for the 2020-2021 school year.”

Have a great week! ~Lisa~

This spring the Ohio State Board of Education reviewed the homeschool laws and there has been a revision that affects when you must turn in your notification form. Beginning this fall, your Notification of Intent to homeschool must be turned in “no later than the first week of the start of the public school building in which your child(ren) would attend in the  district of residence or within one week of the date on which the child begins to reside in the district or within one week from the child’s withdraw from a school.” If you would like to read the new revisions in their entirety, go to the CHEO website or CLICK HERE. The revisions are in red print.

Should you be in need or a Written Narrative Assessment/ Portfolio Review please contact me. I would love to help you meet the state requirement to continue to homeschool your child.

Have a great week! ~Lisa~