"Do I Need to Enroll My Child in a Kansas Public School Before I Can Homeschool?"
The question has come up: "Do I Need to Enroll My Child in a Kansas Public School Before I Can Homeschool?" The answer? No. (Oh, and by-the-way, the official term they like to hear coming out of us homeschoolers mouths is, "non-accredited private school." Just so you know.) :)
The Kansas State Department of Education has put out a very handy pamphlet (see below). This should help answer a lot of questions and get you headed in the right direction. -Denise :)
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HOMESCHOOLING IN KANSAS
All homeschools are classified as Nonaccredited Private Schools in Kansas and must follow the regulations set forth by law.
Kansas does not specifically authorize “home instruction” or “home schooling” by state statute. However, Kansas does recognize Non-accredited Private Schools.
There is no fee charged to register a non-accredited private school.
A non-accredited elementary or secondary private school is one that satisfies the state’s compulsory school attendance laws, but which is not accredited by the state board of education.
Compulsory school attendance laws apply to children between the ages of 7 and 18 (may be under 7 for children identified as handicapped). Every parent or guardian of children in that age group must require such children to attend a public, private, denominational, or parochial school for the duration of the school term.
Registration Requirement
Non-accredited private schools are required by law to register the name and address of the private elementary or secondary school (home school) with the state board of education. Registration consists of completing a form provided by the state showing the name and address of the school and the name and address of the official custodian of the school’s records.
Registering a school does not mean the school has been “approved” by the state board of education.
Teacher requirements
Non-accredited schools are not required to employ teachers who are licensed by the state, but their courses must be taught by competent instructors.
Hours of Instruction
Classes must be held for a period of time which is substantially equivalent to the time public schools are in session. The time required for public schools is at least 186 days of not less than 6 hours per day, or 1116 hours per year for grades 1-11.
Credits
When a student transfers to a nonaccredited school, the school previously attended must be notified by the parent/guardian that the student is changing schools. If a student simply stops coming to school, the school is required by law to report the student as truant.
It is in the best interest of students attending non-accredited schools that accurate and complete records of their progress be kept. These records will be needed if the student transfers to a public or an accredited school, or applies for admission to a college or university.
If a student transfers from a nonaccredited school to an accredited school, the accredited school is not required to accept the transfer of credit. The accredited school may find it necessary to test the student in order to make a decision regarding the transfer of credit.
Curriculum and Books
Private schools are responsible for acquiring their own books and curriculum materials. Books may be purchased from private organizations, checked out through the public library, or rented from the public school with district approval. The public school is under no obligation to make books and materials available to students attending other schools.
No books, curriculum materials, guidelines, or technical assistance on curriculum development are available from the State Department of Education for non-accredited schools.
Diplomas
Private schools, including nonaccredited schools issue their own high school diplomas. These diplomas are not recognized by the state of Kansas as meeting any requirements. The state does not issue diplomas.
Entering College
Colleges and universities determine their own criteria for admission of students who graduate from a non-accredited school.
Most institutions of higher education will require a Graduate Equivalency Diploma (GED) or other criteria to be met for admission.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HOMESCHOOLING IN KANSAS
February 2007
For further information or to request a registration form contact:
Non-accredited Private School
Kansas State Dept. of Education
Attn: Dee Lewis
Professional Learning Communities
120 SE 10th Avenue
Topeka, KS 66612-1182
PHONE: (785) 296-3047
WEBSITE: http://www.ksde.org An Equal Employment/Educational Opportunity Agency
The Kansas State Department of Education does not discriminate on
the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, disability, or age in
admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs or
activities. Any questions regarding the Department’s compliance with
Title VI, Title IX, or Section 504 may be directed to the Title IX
Coordinator, who can be reached at (785) 296-3204, 120 SE 10th
Avenue, Topeka, Kansas 66612-1182, or to the Assistant Secretary for
Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education.
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About Me
Greetings from your Homeschool Blogger Kansas coordinator! I am a homeschooling Mom and I'll be sharing with you information about events, contacts, and laws about home education in the wonderful state of Kansas!
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