How Do I Homeschool In Vermont?

Homeschooling laws in Vermont are recognized for being meticulous, and this area is, in fact, one of the highest homeschool regulations of all the states. However, various families are grateful for the detailed and simple requirements since only one option is available.

Parents can homeschool their children under the Vermont Statutes, and it is a requirement for them to comply with the guidelines stated in 16 V.S.A. These are very simple to follow:

Send a written enrollment notice.

Submit a narrative.
Acknowledgment of compliance.
Test your child annually.

Teach required subjects.

This article will contain the necessary information on enrolling in homeschooling, record-keeping, choosing a curriculum, testing, and graduation requirements, along with some homeschool associations, groups, and co-ops found in Vermont.

Homeschooling Option In Vermont

Homeschooling in Vermont is often regulated at the state level, and several adjustments can be made to the statutes from time to time. This is why it is essential to research and understand these standards.

As stated in the article, there is only one option for homeschooling based on Vermont’s laws. In addition, legal guardians and parents have a series of steps and requirements to comply with, which the State Legislature regulates in the “Title 16/Education Chapter 003 – State Board of Education” beneath section 166B.

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Here is a brief list of them with their respective explanation:

Sending a written enrollment notice: either a home study program or the parent sends this enrollment notice to the secretary. This is often sent annually and usually includes the following:

Name, age, month, and year of birth of the student.
Names, email addresses, telephone numbers of the parents, and towns of legal residence.
Every child or student enrolled in the previous year must have an assessment of progress attached.

Every child that hasn’t been previously enrolled in a public school or home study program in Vermont should be presented with “independent professional evidence on whether the child has a disability.”
Signatures of all parents or guardians who are in charge of the educational decisions for the alumni, along with the person’s names, addresses, and phone numbers will provide ongoing teaching of any fundamental subject other than health, fine arts, and physical education.

Submitting a narrative: this is, in other words, a descriptive and detailed outline of the academic content that will be given in each subject area. This is not always required if your child has completed two consecutive years of homeschooling, except if the student is twelve years old when joining the homeschool program.

Acquire acknowledgment of compliance: parents usually receive this from the secretary after receiving your notice. This acknowledgment will affirm that your child can enroll in homeschooling education immediately or during the forty-five days after receiving this. In some cases, the department may order a hearing within this period.

Teaching the required and fundamental subjects: it is required by law to give continuous instruction on the following state-mandated topics:

Communication skills: reading, writing, and using numbers.

U.S Government: with citizenship, history, and government in Vermont, including the United States government.
Literature, English, American, and any other.
Natural sciences and fine arts.

Test your child annually: it is required to submit an annual assessment to the secretary, showing the student’s progress. This is often done when you file paperwork for the upcoming school year. This assessment can be:

A certified teacher in Vermont may file a report to the secretary.
Legal guardians can provide complete results of standardized tests approved by the secretary and scored in compliance with the law.

The parents or the teacher can prepare a report and include the portfolio of the student’s work. This may contain work samples to prove the alumni’s progress with each subject and meet the minimum courses of study. Including health/physical education or fine arts for students over twelve years of age is not necessary.

In addition, here is some critical information to know about homeschooling in Vermont:

According to the Compulsory Attendance Requirement, students are expected to attend school from six to sixteen.

No teacher qualification is required.
Notification and assessments are necessary.
The number of classroom hours needed is the same number of days as in a Vermont Public School, a minimum of 175 days.

No legal record-keeping is required, but it is up to the parents to keep samples if the student wants to achieve a higher level of education after graduating from school. Often, it is encouraged many homeschool organizations maintain these records.

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Choosing A Homeschool Curriculum In Vermont

One of the essential steps when beginning a homeschool education for your child is choosing the curriculum or academic program that best satisfies the student’s needs and matches the family’s core values.

Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) Homeschool Programs: Regularly schedules homeschool programs with qualified science educators to enhance students’ learning experience.

Vermont Virtual Learning Cooperative: Have various programs ranging from K-12 full-time classes, traditional educational programs, and home study programs with part-time and full-time options.
Pearson Online Academy/Connections Academy: This is an accredited online private school where students can learn math, science, English, and a wide selection of electives. It is also an excellent option for homeschooling in Vermont.
Vermont Virtual Academy: Online courses with offline materials, teacher interaction, and lessons conducted daily.

Mayflower tutoring: Offers online and in-person tutoring for elementary and high school students. Currently is a reputable and well-known tutoring service in Plymouth.
Royal Academy Education: This academy offers private and homeschool education with portfolio reviews, individual tutoring, and resources for parents.
ABC Mouse and Adventure Academy: Provide interactive and engaging learning activities from preschool through elementary.

Schoolhouse Teachers: Allow parents and educators the freedom to customize lesson plans for all ages, grades, and learning levels.
Alpha Omega Publications: A Christian-based company that offers online, printed, or digital home-based learning options.

Field Trips For Homeschooled Students In Vermont

Field trips are an excellent idea for students to spend some time outside of the home, exploring and learning about Vermont’s history.

We compiled a brief list of Vermont’s most popular field trip destinations.

Appalachian National Scenic Trail: It is more than a 2,175-mile footpath that stretches from the fourteen eastern states of Maine to Georgia. It was built by citizens in 1921 and fully functional in 1937. Currently, this trail is managed by the National Park Service and Appalachian Trail Conservancy.
Brattleboro Museum & Art Center: This non-profit organization was founded in 1972. It shows exhibitions of international and regional well-known artists each season, and it is a perfect destination to educate students of all ages.

Lake Champlain Chocolates Tours: This is a great place for lovers to visit this genuine chocolate factory and let their children learn how they are made.
Cabot Farmer’s Village Store: This cheese factory was initiated in 1919 and produced various products like sour cream and limited edition cheddar.
Spare Time Entertainment: this center features thirty-six bowling lanes, restaurants, and services for in-house private parties along with more than fifty industry’s most popular games. This place is a perfect trip, especially for colder days in Vermont, and children usually enjoy it.

Homeschool Associations, Groups, and Co-Ops In Vermont

Homeschool associations and support groups are a great source of guidance when starting the homeschooling journey. To help parents and legal guardians interested in this method of teaching in the state of Vermont, we’ve compiled a list of groups, associations, and Co-Ops:

Regarding homeschool associations in Vermont, currently, they aren’t any.

Final Thoughts

Although homeschooling in Vermont is the most regulated in the United States, it is a pretty straightforward process regarding record-keeping and graduation requirements. The only meticulous procedures to follow are the enrollment notice and the compliance acknowledgment.

Other than that, it is up to the parent to choose the curriculums, the field trips, and if they want to hire a licensed teacher or do them themselves.