Homeschooling in AZ (Arizona)

Homeschooling in Arizona Background Info

Arizona has some of the most homeschool-friendly education regulations of any state in America. The state has no requirements for school accreditation, no requirements for licensing, no requirements for teacher certification; no requirements for approval, and testing of homeschooled children is not required during the time the student is receiving homeschool instruction

However, it is important to remember that home schooling is under the jurisdiction of each Arizona County for each homeschool within its borders, so requirements may vary somewhat from county-to-county. (NOTE: According to A.R.S. §15-802, enrollment in and attendance at a public charter school or virtual academy is not considered to be “homeschooling” in Arizona.)

Definition Homeschooling in Arizona

Arizona defines “home education” as the parent-taught, family financed, education of a child at home. According to Arizona education law, “homeschoolers are parents or legal guardians who choose to educate their own children at home in at least the required subjects of reading, grammar, math, science and social studies.” (A.R.S. §15-802)

Arizona Revised Statutes §15.802.G.2-3 defines “homeschool” as a “nonpublic school conducted primarily by the parent, guardian or other person who has custody of the child, or nonpublic instruction provided in the child’s home.” The same regulation identifies a “private school” as a “nonpublic institution, other than the child’s home, where academic instruction is provided for at least the same number of days and hours each year as a public school.” (NOTE: Arizona public school attendance is required for at least 180 days each year. However, the compulsory attendance requirement does not apply to homeschools.)

Homeschooling in Arizona Steps Summary:

“home school” means a school conducted primarily by the parent, guardian or other person who has custody of the child or instruction provided in the child’s home.If you are homeschooling in the state of Arizona, you will need to follow these steps:

1. File a notarized affidavit. The parent or guardian must file a notarized affidavit of intent to operate a homeschool program with the county school superintendent within 30 days after homeschooling begins. It must include the child’s name; date of birth; current address; and the names, telephone numbers, and addresses of the persons who currently have custody of the child.
2. Give proof of child’s identity. The parent or guardian must also provide the county school superintendent either a “certified copy of the child’s birth certificate” or “other reliable proof of the child’s identity and age with an affidavit explaining the inability to provide a copy of the birth certificate.”

Currently the Arizona Homeschooling law requires that:

• Every child between the ages of six and sixteen years shall be provided instruction in at least the subjects of reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies and science.
• The person who has custody of the child shall choose a public, private or home school to provide instruction.
• An affidavit of intent shall be filed within thirty days from the time the child begins to attend a home school and is not required thereafter unless the home school instruction is terminated and then resumed. The person who has custody of the child shall notify the county school superintendent within thirty days of the termination that the child is no longer being instructed at a home school.

Sources:

1. http://www.homeschoolfacts.com
2. www.homeschoolacademy.com
3. https://a2zhomeschooling.com