Parents who wish to educate their children at home can do so in Ohio by following simple steps.
To start homeschooling in Ohio, follow these steps:
- Research and familiarize yourself with the homeschooling laws and regulations in Ohio.
- Notify your local school district of your intent to homeschool by submitting a notice of intent or a homeschooling application.
- Keep records of your child’s homeschooling progress, including attendance, instruction, and assessment, and provide them to the local school district upon request.
- Provide instruction in specific subjects as required by Ohio state law.
- Meet the attendance requirements as set by Ohio state law.
- Follow any additional regulations or laws set by your local school district or state.
- Start homeschooling and keep records of your child’s progress.
- Be aware that Ohio requires annual standardized testing for homeschooled students in certain grades.
- Keep in mind that Ohio allows for different types of homeschooling options. You must check with your local school district or the Ohio Department of Education for specific guidelines.
It’s important to note that Ohio requires parents to submit an annual evaluation of their child’s progress using standardized tests, portfolio evaluations, or evaluations by certified teachers. It is also vital to maintain instruction, attendance, and assessment records and provide them to the local school district upon request.
Getting Started
Ohio homeschoolers need to contact their local school district superintendents and notify them that they intend to begin homeschooling their child(ren). When doing this, they also need to prove that they meet the minimum educational standards set forth by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) for homeschooling.
These standards include submitting a completed “Notice of Intent to Homeschool” form and other documentation such as birth certificates and immunization records. This Notice of Intent is available on the ODE website (www.ode.state.oh.us) and includes all forms necessary for public and private schools.
After receiving notification from the school district, parents can officially register their child(ren) with the county board of education. They can find more information regarding registration procedures on the ODE website.1
Home Schooling Options
Ohio does not require any particular type of curriculum when homeschooling. However, there are three types of curricula that the ODE has approved for use in Ohio:
1. Traditional
2. Alternative
3. Distance Learning.
Traditional Curriculum – This curriculum consists of textbooks, workbooks, and supplementary materials for teaching math, science, language arts, social studies, etc. Students follow these textbooks and workbooks to complete assignments and tests. While some districts offer resources geared explicitly towards teaching homeschooled students, many assign worksheets found within the book itself.
Some traditional programs utilize computer software to assist teachers and students, while others rely heavily on paper-based workbooks.
Alternative Curriculum – This curriculum is designed to supplement the traditional curriculum using activities, lessons, field trips, and other methods to engage students outside of the classroom environment. Many alternative curriculums incorporate hands-on projects into their lesson plans, allowing students to apply what they learn through real-world experiences.
Distance Learning – This curriculum allows students to take classes taught by professors and instructors out of state. Students access these classes via the internet and communicate with faculty members virtually. This method of instruction has become increasingly popular over the last several years due to its flexibility and cost-effectiveness.
Starting Your School Year
Once registered with the county board of education, ensuring that your child receives appropriate vaccinations before beginning their schooling is crucial. Check with your doctor to determine which vaccines your child needs to receive according to the CDC schedule before enrolling them in school.
All kindergarten children must be fully vaccinated against polio, diphtheria, tetanus, mumps, measles, rubella, hepatitis B, and chicken pox.
Establishing a routine early in your homeschool year is very important to avoid confusion later. Establishing a daily routine helps keep everyone organized and ensures that each family member is involved in learning.
Most families opt to get up around 7 am and spend time together eating breakfast, planning lessons, and getting ready for the day ahead. After breakfast, most parents send their kids off to school while they attend to household chores and prepare lunch.
Once lunchtime rolls around, parents return home to get prepared for the rest of the afternoon. Regardless of how your family structures their days, establishing routines early in the year will help make things smoother once school begins.
What You Need For A Home School
You don’t need much to homeschool your children. There are plenty of options available to accommodate every budget. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:
Computer
A computer is one of the best investments you can make if you plan on homeschooling your child/children. Depending on your student’s age and grade level, you might consider purchasing a laptop instead of a desktop model.
Desktop computers are great for older students that enjoy typing long documents and essays. Some laptops come equipped with webcams and microphones making them ideal for distance learning classrooms. Either way, you won’t regret investing in a good quality computer.
Television
Many homeschoolers place a television in their living room to watch movies and shows during down times. Younger children usually prefer playing video games to sitting in front of the TV screen. Older children often like watching TV because it provides a break from studying and homework.
Books
There are two ways to buy books for your child. First, you can purchase hard copies directly from publishers and bookstores. Second, you can download e-books onto your computer and read them on your computer monitor or tablet.
E-books are convenient because they allow you to carry thousands of titles anywhere. However, buying physical books means you can always refer back to pages you didn’t understand earlier in the semester. Physical books also give you something tangible to show friends and relatives, whereas e-books cannot be shared in that manner.
Supplies
You might want to invest in some basic art supplies for younger children to create crafts and decorations to decorate their rooms. This category covers everything from pencils and pens to rulers and notebooks. Other supplies that might be useful to add to your cart include flashcards, magnifiers, and dictionaries.
These supplies can be beneficial for older children who are struggling with specific concepts or vocabulary words.
As far as textbooks go, you can buy those separately or search online for free alternatives. Remember, you only need enough supplies to cover the coursework assigned by your teacher, no matter how old your child is.
