Bismillah Assalaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuh
Each year it is recommended that all parents visit the https://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Pages/Home-Schools.aspx website to familiarize yourselves with the current homeschool laws for the state of Georgia and to submit your Declaration of Intent to Homeschool. You maybe surprised about changes that can effect your submission of the Declaration of Intent to homeschool. Read carefully to understand what requirements there are for you and your family in shaa’Allaah. Keep a copy of your submission on the website, and bring a copy for student files here at THM.
Here are a few highlights, but again please go to the GaDOE website for all details!
the state law that authorizes home study students in grades six through 12 to participate in extracurricular and interscholastic activities in the student’s resident public school system.
Dexter Mosley Act .State Law 20-2-319.6
“ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION:
Pursuant to state law 20-2-690 the Georgia Department of Education only has authority to collect and manage the declaration of intent to home school.
Parents or guardians may also employ a tutor who holds at least a high school diploma or a GED to teach such children.
In regards to home school programs operating in this state, the Georgia Department of Education is not authorized or responsible for providing instructional and supplemental items for a home school program including, but not limited to:
textbooks, computers, school supplies, instructional materials, tutoring services or other incidental materials or items needed to enact and maintain a successful home school program.
Local school systems in Georgia are required to have proof of a student’s enrollment in a home school program within 45 days of withdrawal from a Georgia public school. If the school system is not able to obtain this proof they are to refer the matter to the Division of Family and Children Services of the Department of Human Services to conduct an assessment.
SUBJECTS REQUIRED:
Georgia’s home study law (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690) requires homeschool parents/guardians to provide a basic academic educational program which includes the five content areas below, at a minimum. You may also teach other content areas.
- Mathematics,
- English Language Arts,
- Science,
- Social Studies, and
- Reading
The school year for this home school study program”- The law requires 180 instructional days. Please use the actual date you begin teaching your child/children at home as the beginning date and count forward to the 180 instructional days limit. If your child/children began the school year in a public or private school, that time can be included as part of the 180 instructional days requirement. You can teach more than 180 days if you desire. *of at least 4-1/2 hours of instruction per day unless the child is physically unable to comply with this requirement.
Once the child/children are officially registered as a home school student, you as the parent have similar rights and responsibilities of the Local Education Authority (District office). The parent is considered the superintendent, principal, teacher, and you can create and sign any document that relates to the educational needs of your child/children. *As of July 1, 2013, you are no longer required to submit attendance to the Georgia Department of Education.
Your Declaration of Intent form with the digital signature on the parent/guardian signature line is the official document of the Georgia Home Study Program. This document should be used to obtain driver’s license/permits, work permits, post-secondary admission, military enlistment, and for all other entities that require proof of educational enrollment for homeschool students.
Testing
Students in home study programs shall be subject to an appropriate nationally standardized testing program administered in consultation with a person trained in the administration and interpretation of norm referenced tests. The student must be evaluated at least every three years beginning at the end of the third grade. Records of such tests shall be retained by the parent/guardian. Please note that the Georgia Milestones, End-of-Grade and End-of-Courses Assessments are not nationally standardized tests.
For students enrolling for 11th and 12th grade:
Read “Withdrawing from Home School to Obtain a GED,” on the website. They have applications you can fill out that may be of interest to you and your family.
For those who may have additional question please contact
Georgia Dept of Education
Homeschool Division
1562 Twin Towers East
205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive
Atlanta, GA 30334
Email: homeschool@doe.k12.ga.us
Phone: (404) 656-3083
BarakAllahu feekum
Wa’alaykumus Salaam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuh