If you’re considering homeschooling in Georgia, known as a home study program, here’s what you need to do under Georgia homeschool laws:
- Qualifications: Ensure that you, as the parent or legal guardian, or any hired tutor, have at least a high school diploma or GED.
- Declaration of Intent: Within 30 days of starting homeschooling and annually by September 1, submit a declaration of intent to the Georgia Department of Education. This declaration should include student names and ages, the location of your homeschool, the local school system, and your school year’s 12-month period.
- Instruction Days: Provide 180 days of education each school year, with each day consisting of at least four and a half hours, unless your child cannot physically meet this requirement.
- Required Subjects: Offer a basic educational program covering reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science.
- Progress Reports: Write an annual progress report detailing your child’s advancements in the required subjects. Keep this report in your records for at least three years; it doesn’t need to be submitted to public school officials.
- Testing: Test your child at least every three years after completing 3rd grade. You can administer the test yourself, but it should be done “in consultation with a person trained in the administration and interpretation of norm reference tests.” Test results don’t need to be shared with public school officials under Georgia homeschool laws.