Navigating Hawaii's Homeschool Law: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Compliance

Navigating Hawaii's Homeschool Law: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Compliance

Hawaii law specifically refers to homeschooling in Hawaii Rev. Stat. § 302A-1132(a)(5). To homeschool under this statute, you’ll need to follow these guidelines.

1. Submit a notice of intent.

You must provide a notice of intent before you begin homeschooling before your withdrawal from compulsory attendance at a traditional school setting. The notice of intent should be given to the principal of the public school your child would attend if he or she were enrolled in public school.

You may choose to submit this notice either on Form 4140 (developed by the Hawaii Department of Education) or in a letter that includes the name, address, telephone number, birth date, and grade level of the child and the parent’s signature. You are not required to submit both

Finally, you must also notify the principal if you are no longer homeschooling.

2. Ensure your curriculum complies with the statute.

There are no required subjects for your homeschooled child, but your curriculum must “be structured and based on educational objectives as well as the needs of the child, be cumulative and sequential, provide a range of up-to-date knowledge and needed skills, and take into account the interests, needs, and abilities of the child.” You have the option to connect with local homeschool groups.

According to the statute:

An elementary school curriculum may include language arts, math, social studies, science, art, music, health, and physical education.

A secondary school curriculum may include social studies, English, mathematics, science, health, physical education, and guidance.

3. Keep records.

You must keep “a record of the planned curriculum,” which must include:

the commencement date and ending date of the homeschool program,

the number of hours per week of instruction,

the subjects to be covered,

the method used to determine mastery of materials and subjects in the curriculum, and

a list of textbooks or other instructional materials.

The list should be in standard bibliographical format (the author, title, publisher, and date of publication should be indicated).

4. Submit annual progress reports.

You must submit an annual report of your child’s progress to your local principal.

For grades 3, 5, 8, and 10, parents must submit the results of a criterion or norm-referenced standardized achievement test of the parents’ choice, which demonstrates grade-level achievement appropriate to their child’s age.

For all other grades, the annual progress report may be one of the following:

a score on a nationally normed standardized achievement test, which must demonstrate grade-level achievement appropriate to the child’s age,

progress on a nationally normed standardized test that is equivalent to one grade level per calendar year,

a written evaluation by a Hawaii-certified teacher,

a written evaluation by the parent (should include description of progress in each subject area, samples of the child’s work, and tests and assignments with grades, if grades are given) that demonstrates progress, or

the results of Hawaii’s Statewide Testing Program, if the parent chooses “to have the child participate in the school’s testing program.”Navigating Hawaii's Homeschool Law: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Compliance

As a homeschool parent in Hawaii, it's important to understand and comply with the state's homeschooling laws. This guide will walk you through the process, step by step, to ensure you meet all the necessary requirements.

Step 1: Familiarize Yourself with Hawaii's Homeschooling Law

The first step is to familiarize yourself with the specific homeschooling laws in Hawaii. This includes understanding the legal requirements, such as age restrictions, curriculum guidelines, and reporting obligations. Take the time to research and fully understand these laws before proceeding.

Step 2: Notify the Department of Education

In Hawaii, you are required to notify the Department of Education about your intent to homeschool. This should be done at least 10 days before you plan to start homeschooling. To do this, you will need to submit a letter of intent that includes basic information about your child, your homeschooling address, and a brief outline of your educational plan.

Step 3: Develop an Educational Plan

As a homeschool parent, it's important to have a well-thought-out educational plan in place. This should outline your goals, curriculum choices, instructional methods, and assessment strategies. While Hawaii does not require you to submit your plan to the Department of Education, having a well-documented plan will help you stay organized and focused on your child's education.

Step 4: Keep Records

Keeping accurate records is essential for homeschool compliance in Hawaii. This includes attendance records, samples of your child's work, progress reports, and any other documents related to your homeschooling journey. By maintaining thorough records, you can easily demonstrate that you are meeting the state's educational requirements.

Step 5: Participate in a Homeschool Portfolio Evaluation

In Hawaii, homeschool students aged 11 or older are required to undergo an annual portfolio evaluation by a licensed teacher. This evaluation assesses your child's academic progress and ensures they are meeting the required standards. It's important to schedule this evaluation in advance and prepare the necessary documents and samples for review.

Step 6: Submit an Annual Progress Report

At the end of each school year, you are required to submit an annual progress report to the Department of Education. This report should include a summary of your child's educational progress, including subjects covered, curriculum used, and any notable achievements. It's important to submit this report by the specified deadline to stay in compliance.

Step 7: Stay Engaged and Attend Support Groups

One of the key benefits of homeschooling is the opportunity to connect with other homeschooling families. Consider joining local support groups or organizations that provide resources, guidance, and socialization opportunities for homeschooling families in Hawaii. This will not only enrich your homeschooling experience but also help you stay informed about any changes in homeschooling laws or regulations.

Remember, staying informed, organized, and engaged is key to success in homeschooling.

The Home Tribe team