Homeschool Laws
Each state has different laws regarding homeschooling.
Letter of Intent Template
Homeschool laws vary by state. Please use this list to find homeschool regulations specific for your state.
Creating a “Letter of Intent” (LOI) to homeschool is the first legal step in many states. Because laws vary significantly by location, we have broken this down into a universal template which can be customized to fit your state requirements.
Current Laws by State Category (2026) As of 2026, the U.S. is generally divided into four levels of regulation. Note: Some states, like Texas, have recently passed “Homeschool Freedom” acts (HB 2674) to further prohibit government interference.
1. No Notice Required (Lowest Regulation) In these states, you generally do not need to file a letter or ask for permission. States: AL, AK, CT, ID, IL, IN, MI, MO, NJ, OK, TX. What to do: Just start. In Texas, for example, you only need to send a letter if you are withdrawing a child who is already enrolled in a public school. 2. Low Regulation (Notification Only) You must send a simple letter of intent (like the one above) but usually don’t need to submit test scores. States: AZ, CA, DE, KS, KY, MS, MT, NE, NM, NV, UT, WI, WY. Requirement: Usually a one-time or annual notification to the district.
2. Low Regulation (Notification Only) You must send a simple letter of intent (like the one above) but usually don’t need to submit test scores. States: AZ, CA, DE, KS, KY, MS, MT, NE, NM, NV, UT, WI, WY. Requirement: Usually a one-time or annual notification to the district.
3. Moderate Regulation (Notification + Assessment) You must notify the state and prove academic progress once a year via standardized tests or a portfolio review. States: AR, CO, FL, GA, HI, IA, LA, MD, ME, MN, NC, ND, OH, OR, SC, SD, TN, VA, WA, WV. Requirement: Keep an eye on testing years (e.g., GA requires testing every 3 years; CO requires it in grades 3, 5, 7, 9, 11).
4. High Regulation (Strict Oversight) These states require notification, specific subject lists, and often teacher qualification checks. States: MA, NY, PA, RI, VT. Requirement: In New York, for example, you must submit an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) and quarterly reports.
Sample Letter of Intent (Template)
In states that require notification, you should send this to your local School District Superintendent.
[Your Name]
[Your Address] [City, State, Zip Code]
[Phone Number]
[Date]
[Superintendent’s Name]
[School District Name]
[District Office Address]
RE: Letter of Intent to Homeschool – [Child’s Full Name]
Dear [Superintendent Name], This letter serves as formal notification of my intent to provide home-based instruction for my child, [Child’s Name] (Date of Birth: [DOB]), for the 2025–2026 school year, beginning on [Start Date]. [Child’s Name] is entering/in the [Grade Level] grade.
[Optional/State Dependent]: I will be providing instruction in the required subject areas of [list subjects like Reading, Math, etc., if your state requires it]. Please update your records to reflect that [Child’s Name] is being withdrawn from [Name of current school, if applicable] and will be homeschooled in accordance with [State Law/Statute Number, e.g., “Texas Education Code Section 25.086”].
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]