The Law – A Brief Summary
- Any parent may educate their
children at home. The parent
does not have to have a teaching certificate.
- If the parent decides to
educate the children at home, he or she should offer at least 1,000 hours of
instruction during the school year, with at least 600 hours in the
basics—reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies and science.
At least 400 hours of the 600 hours shall occur in the regular home
school location.
- The school year is defined as
beginning July 1 and ending the next June 30.
- A parent who is homeschooling1 a child must maintain the following records for mandatory education of children between the ages of 7 and 16:
- A plan book, diary or other written record indicating the subjects being taught
and the activities engaged in with the student.
- A portfolio containing
samples of the student’s academic work.
- A record of evaluation of the student’s academic progress.
- Or other written, credible evidence equivalent to subdivisions (a), (b), and (c).
- The Law is permissive in the
area of registering. The statue
says the parent MAY notify the Superintendent of Schools or the Recorder of
County Deeds in the county where the parents reside.
This is to be done before September 1 annually.
However, the law says MAY, and it is not mandatory.
If withdrawing children from public schools, parents should notify
the school of their intent to homeschool in order to minimize reports of
truancy. (A sample letter of
withdrawal can be found here).
- Any complaint dealing with a
homeschooling case can be filed with the Division of Family Services, who
will then refer it to the Superintendent of Schools, who must immediately
refer it to the Prosecuting Attorney. Only
the Prosecuting Attorney can investigate homeschooling cases.
- The production by a parent of a daily log showing that a home school has a course of instruction which satisfies the requirements of the law shall be a defense to any prosecution.
- Beginning with the 2007-2008 school year, St. Louis City has authorization to raise age to 17, but in that case the 1,000 hour requirement and the record requirements in paragraph 2 would not apply.