North Carolina General Assembly
Between 7 and 16 years of age.
Parents must have at least a high school
diploma or GED.
Homeschooling is included under the existing
private school law per a 1985 Supreme Court ruling and a 1988 statute.
The Director, or his staff, of the Division of Nonpublic Education has
been designated to be the representative who accepts application (Notice
of Intent) to open a homeschool, and is authorized to inspect the
results of national standardized testing annually. An attendance record
and immunization record must be maintained.
Article 39 115C-547 through 115C-565, which state:
- "Home school means a nonpublic school in which one or more
children of not more than two families or households receive
academic instruction from parents or legal guardians or a member
from either household."
- A home school must meet the following requirements:
a) operate for a nine calendar month school term (doesn't say which
months)
b) keep attendance records and
disease immunization records
c) send a letter of intent to the director of the Division of
Non-public Education of their intent to operate and include name and
address of the home school, the home school's owner, and the "chief
administrator".
d) The home school must also elect to operate under the
qualifications of a "private church school or school of religious
character" OR under the qualifications of a "qualified nonpublic
school." The requirements are the same for either classification.
e) If the home school is in a private home, all safety and
sanitation requirements are waived.
Parents must have at least a high school diploma or GED.
Testing: Parents must administer an annual standardized test any time
during the school year which must be made available on request for
inspection by the state at reasonable times. You must make them
available for at least a one-year period.'
State officials do not have the right to make home visits, nor are
they to look at any other records other than test scores. Parents are
under no obligation to attend "regional meetings" arranged by the
Division. Test scores can simply be mailed to the Division of Non-Public
Education.
Before beginning homeschooling, you must notify the North Carolina
Division of Non-Public Education of your intent to homeschool. You must
obtain, from that office, and complete the form "Notice of Intent to
Operate a School in North Carolina." Attach photocopies of documentation
that you, as the home school teacher, hold at least a high school
diploma or its equivalent.
