Mississippi Homeschool Law - Mississippi Homeschooling

Mississippi Laws Re: Homeschooling
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1. Can anyone home school in Mississippi?
2. What kind of paperwork does the state require?
3. Do I have to wait until the beginning of the next school year to take my children out of their current public or private school to start home schooling?
4. Does the curriculum I use have to include state-approved textbooks?
5. What subjects am I required to teach?
6. What days are my children required to be in school? What hours during the day?
7. Do I have to have a high school or college diploma, or teacher certification?
8. Do my children have to take standardized tests?
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Can anyone home school in Mississippi?

Yes. Any parent is permitted by law to teach his or her own children in a home instruction program. The state has a minimal amount of regulation that families must follow to legally home school. A legitimate home instruction program is defined as one that is not "operated for the purpose of avoiding or circumventing the compulsory attendance law."
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What kind of paperwork does the state require?

By September 15 of each year, parents are required to submit a certificate of enrollment for each child age 6-17 by September 1. (If you have children older or younger, you are not required for submit a certificate for them.) The certificate card - available from your city or county school attendance officer - should include names and address of the parents, the child's name and date of birth, and "a simple description of the type of education the children are receiving." You are not required by law to give your child's Social Security number. The card must be returned to the school attendance officer.

In the event the child has been enrolled in a public school he must file a Certificate of Enrollment with the local attendance within 15 calendar days after the first day of the school year for the school district where the child resides. The parents may at a later date enroll the child in a legitimate home instruction program and send the certifiacte of enrollment to the school attendance officer.

Parents, guardians, or custodians of a child who are found in violation of this law are given 10 days after receiving a written notice to comply with the law.
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Do I have to wait until the beginning of the next school year to take my children out of their current public or private school to start home schooling?

If you wish to teach your children at home, you may begin at any time, but must always send the completed certificate of enrollment for each child.
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Does the curriculum I use have to include state-approved textbooks?

No. You may choose the curriculum that best suits your children's individual educational needs.
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What subjects am I required to teach?

Since repeal of the law in 1984, there are no state requirements for subjects that must be taught. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What days are my children required to be in school? What hours during the day?

While there are regulation on the length of school day and school year for public and private schools, there is no state requirement for home school programs.
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Do I have to have a high school or college diploma, or teacher certification?

The state has no educational attainment or certification requirements for parents who teach their children in the home.
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Do my children have to take standardized tests?

State law does not require standardized testing.

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This summary is intended as a guide and not legal advice. Check for updates regularly.