Nebraska Homeschool Law - Nebraska Homeschooling

Legal Questions About Homeschooling in Nebraska

Are parents requesting permission to homeschool when submitting forms to the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE)?
No! Parents are notifying the NDE of their decision to home educate their children.

Does homeschooling have to take place under the supervision of an umbrella school or organization?
No! Homeschools are private schools.

Does the NDE or state law establish requirements for students to graduate from homeschooling?
No! Families and their home schools are considered private school. Parents determine when their children have completed their studies and graduate from their private school. Parents can issue their own diplomas.

The NCHEA conducts a graduate recognition during it annual conference and curriculum fair.

What courses and classes does a high school student need to complete for college or secondary education entrance/acceptance?
You and your child should consider what your child is going to do after high as his/her life occupation, (note this needs to begin at a minimum in junior high years). Based on that determination, the appropriate studies, courses, and education experiences should be completed or take place to facilitate the child achieving those goals. If your child is going to attend college or some other form of secondary education, it is recommended that you obtain the admission requirements for the college(s) that he/she might attend to insure your student has completed the minimum classes/courses required for admittance. Typically, these will include foreign language and advanced classes or courses in science and mathematics.

You should also know that your student will very likely be required to present a transcript of high classes, grades, etc. as part of the admission process.

How do parents/students prepare transcripts for college entrance?
See information under Transcripts on the NCHEA web site.

Can homeschool students participate in extra-curricular activities in the local public school?
Participation in sports and extra-curricular activities in public schools is governed by the Nebraska School Activities Assn. (NSAA). This governing body establishes the rules that schools must follow in order for a school's sports programs, etc. to be recognized. The NSAA rules primarily come into play in high school. Apparently, one of the rules is that the athlete/participant must attend the school he is going to represent as a team member. This rule probably is to prevent schools from recruiting and using players that are not students. You may want to contact the NSAA and request a copy of their rules.

Basically, local schools are free to determine their own policies on homeschool student participation.

For several years legislation was introduced to require schools to adopt policies for homeschool students to participate in extra-curricular activities and to take classes. Each time, the bill was been killed in committee. In 2006, LB 821 was passed which requires school boards to adopt policies to permit participation of part-time students; however, the law provides that school boards may require part-time students to be enrolled for 20 semester hours.

Can grandparents homeschool their grandchildren?
What you propose does take place, i.e. grandparents home schooling their grandchildren or families using tutors for a specific subject.

The NCHEA recommends compliance with the home school laws. The parents of the children you would homeschool should complete the Rule 12 or Rule 13 forms and in response to the appropriate question identify you, the grandparent(s) as the monitor(s).

My child is a special needs student that is currently enrolled in the public school. Can I homeschool my child, and if so, are there any concerns about withdrawing my child from the public school?
Yes, you can homeschool your special needs child. Research has shown that children who have learning difficulties or disabilities quite often do significantly better in a home school situation (environment) where they benefit from the personal one-on-one attention and interest of their parents. God will and does give the strength and wisdom to parents to enable them to accomplish the task He calls them to.

The NCHEA also recommends and encourages all homeschooling families to belong to Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). Because special needs students represent a significant source of state and/or federal subsidy dollars to the public schools, public schools do not like to lose those students. Accordingly, public school(s)/officials may take steps to prevent it and/or attempt to intimidate parents from removing their child. Accodingly, you are strongly encouraged to establish membership in the HSLDA prior to the start home schooling and prior to withdrawing your child from the public school.

Can I start homeschooling during the school year or do I have to wait until the following August to notify the NDE?
Yes, you can start homeschooling anytime during the school year; however, you must comply with state law and provide the proper notification to the NDE of your decision to home educate your children. The NCHEA strongly recommends keeping a copy of the form you submit to the NDE and sending the forms to the NDE by certified mail with a return receipt, so you have evidence the NDE has received your