ALASKA HOMESCHOOL LAW - Alaska Homeschooling

ALASKA HOMESCHOOL LAW

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Compulsory School Age: 7 - 16

Alaska offers five legal options for homeschooling: 1) establish and operate a homeschool, 2) use of a private tutor, 3) enroll in a state-approved full-time correspondence program, 4) provide an alternate educational experience with school board approval, or 5) qualify as a religious or private school.

The first option is to establish and operate a homeschool. There are few limitations under this option, and there are no requirements regarding attendance, subjects, teacher qualifications, school board notification, recordkeeping, or testing.

The second option is the use of a private tutor. Attendance is required 180 days per year. Subjects similar to those taught in Alaska's public schools must be covered and the tutor must be teacher certified. There are no requirements regarding school board notification, recordkeeping, or testing under this option.

A third option is to enroll your child in a full-time correspondence program approved by the department of education. Attendance is required for 180 days per year and the subjects covered must be similar to subjects taught in public schools. No teacher qualifications, school board notifications, recordkeeping, or testing requirements are specified for this option.

The fourth option under Alaska home school law is to request school board approval to provide an equal alternate educational experience. The child is required to attend 180 days of schooling per year and must study subjects similar to those offered in the public schools. No requirements exist for teacher qualifications, school board notification, recordkeeping, or testing.

The fifth and final legal option is to qualify as a religious or private school. In order to qualify, the following forms must be completed by the stated dates and submitted to the appropriate parties:

A "Private School Enrollment Reporting Form" must be filed with the local superintendent by the first day of public school.

A "Private and Denominational Schools Enrollment Report" must be filed with the state department of education by October 15 each year.

A "School Calendar" must be filed with the state department of education by October 15 each year.

Under this fifth option, the student must attend school for 180 days per year. There are no required subjects; however standardized testing, which is to be administered in the 4th, 6th, and 8th grades, must cover English, grammar, reading, spelling, and math. Records must be kept and maintained on monthly attendance, immunizations, course studies, standardized testing, academic achievement, and physical exams. There are no requirements regarding teacher qualifications.

Please note: This is a brief summary of Alaska homeschool law and is presented for informative purposes only and not as legal advice.

posted 2/27/2009 - check for updates