Oklahoma families are allowed to homeschool their children. Before starting, consider the commitment required. Homeschooling requires a strong sense of self-discipline and responsibility and the ability to give up some personal freedom. Families must follow specific guidelines for educating their children at home.
Oklahoma has few homeschooling requirements, and parents are not required to register with state or local officials. You can set your schedule, choose your curriculum, and use your textbooks. However, some Oklahoma courts have suggested that homeschooling should be comparable to a public school education.
The law specifically states that you must:
- Teach at least 180 days per year to children between ages 5 and 18.
This is often referred to as Oklahoma’s compulsory attendance law. This law means you can homeschool your child for the equivalent of six clock hours or 360 minutes per day, as appropriate for the child’s age, for 180 days during the calendar year.
However, if a parent fails to comply with the compulsory education act in Oklahoma, the parent can be charged with a misdemeanor. Homeschooling can not be an excuse to avoid public school truancy.
Adhering to Oklahoma Laws
To prove your adherence to the compulsory requirement, you must document that you teach for 180 days per school year. Also, according to state regulations, the child’s academic progress must be established and maintained. While you don’t necessarily need to create an entire portfolio record for your children, you must keep diligent records of the days you spend homeschooling.
These suggested recordable items will allow you to offer a record of your homeschooling efforts for each of your children.
Common Items Include for Each School Year
- Homeschool Calendar
- Curriculum Maps
- Lesson Plans (learning objectives or subject summaries)
- Daily, weekly, or monthly log of activities
- List of curriculum choices, books, educational videos, events, or other supplements used.
- Field Trip memorabilia, such as ticket stubs, flyers, or other supplements used
- Projects, outings, and assignments documented through video or photos
- Progress reports, notes, graded work, and lesson samples to demonstrate progress
- Writing assignments, such as journal assignments, completed essays, or other writing projects.
- Lists of achievements, such as awards, certificates or community service recognition.
- Any legal documents required by your state, such as letter of intent and attendance reports.
Many homeschooling families find that keeping diligent records is helpful when their children are ready to apply for college, enlist in the military, or apply for social security benefits.
Curriculum Choices for Homeschooling
Oklahoma’s Attorney General has ruled that home instruction does not require a certified teacher. The instruction must be provided in good faith and equivalent to the education provided by the state. While there isn’t any state-approved curriculum, you must include reading, writing, math, science, citizenship, the US Constitution, health, safety, physical education, and conservation.
Know what goals you want to achieve through your homeschooling process. You decide what educational style and curriculum you’d like to use. The state is not required to furnish home-schooled students with textbooks, resources, or other materials. However, you may apply for a $1,000 tax credit per child to pay for education-related expenses, such as instruction materials and tutoring, under the Universal School Choice Bill passed on May 25, 2023, which takes effect on January 2024.
School District Letter of Withdrawal
If your children have already begun in public school, you should provide your school district or principal with a letter of withdrawal and request a copy of their transcripts. You may be asked to complete a simple form (or not). The school district typically uses this form to release the school district from the responsibility of educating the children. It legally identifies that you are fully responsible for your children’s education.
Otherwise, you can begin homeschooling when you are ready. Some families start by teaching their children the basics through play and activities while still toddlers; others wait until their child is five.
Public school officials are not required to conduct state testing or visit or inspect homes. You are also not required to register with or seek approval from state or local officials.
Returning to Public School
If your children return to public school at any point, they will be required to take a standardized achievement test. These tests are used to determine grade placement and/or provide credit for the student. The school will administer the test exam. A copy of the exam given and the results will be kept on file for one year.
To determine whether equivalent instruction was provided during homeschooling, you will have to provide documentation of compliance with compulsory attendance and academic progress.
Oklahoma College-Bound Students
If your child is bound for college, you must follow the Oklahoma State Board of Education Regulations for Graduation or review the required courses listed by the college of your choice. You determine when their child has fulfilled graduation requirements, create their student transcripts, and can issue their homeschool diploma; students of private/online schools may receive diplomas from those institutions.
