Georgia home school laws

Considering homeschooling in Georgia? There are a few basic pieces of information that you need to know in order to get you started.

In Georgia, the compulsory attendance ages are “between 6th and 16th birthdays.” To home school in the state of Georgia:
1.  Parents must submit a declaration of intent to home study to the local superintendent thirty days after the establishment of the home study program and by Sept. 1 every year thereafter. This declaration must include
 a.the names and ages of students;
 b.the location of the home school, and
 c.the time the parents designate as their school year.
2.The home school must provide “a basic academic educational program.”  
3.Each school day must consist of four and one-half hours.  
4.Attendance records must be kept and submitted to the superintendent each month. The records will “not be used for any purpose except providing necessary attendance information.”
5.Parent must write an annual progress report and retain it for three years.
6.Parents or guardians may teach only their own children in the home study program… but the parents or guardians may employ a tutor who holds at least a high school diploma or GED to teach such children.”
7.According to the Attorney General of Georgia, the local superintendent does not the have the authority to require parents to affirmatively produce evidence of their continuing compliance with the law in the operation of home study programs or require the production of documents. Although the superintendent has the authority to “request” such materials, he cannot require parents to submit them. 1986 Op. Att’y. Gen. No. U86-19.

Teacher Qualifications: The “teaching parent” must have at least a high school diploma or a GED. Or the parents may employ a private tutor who has a high school diploma or GED. .

Standardized Tests: Children must take a national standardized achievement test every three years beginning at the end of the third grade. “Test scores are not required to be submitted to public school authorities.” Parent must write an annual progress report and retain it for three years.