HOMESCHOOLING IN NEBRASKA & HOMESCHOOL LAWS
You may be considering homeschooling, but don’t know where to start regarding homeschool laws in Nebraska. This guide will walk you through what you need to know to successfully set up your own homeschool program legally in Nebraska. We’ll cover the history of homeschooling in Nebraska, Nebraska homeschool laws, required notifications and filings, curriculum and testing choices, high school transcripts, extracurricular activities, graduation requirements, and special education services.
History of Homeschooling in Nebraska
Nebraska has never implemented specific Nebraska homeschool laws. Instead, a Nebraska homeschool operates under the umbrella of the state’s private school law. Until the early 1980s, Nebraska mandated that private, denominational, and parochial institutions obtain state accreditation, necessitating a certified teacher. Interestingly, the initial challenge to this requirement did not come from homeschoolers but rather from the religious beliefs of the Christian school movement, which experienced significant growth during the 1970s and early 1980s.
This legislative change was largely driven by the efforts of homeschooling advocates and organizations for Nebraska homeschooling. Groups like the Nebraska Christian Home Educators Association played a crucial role in lobbying for the recognition of Nebraska homeschooling as a valid educational choice. The amendment to the Nebraska homeschool laws provided a legal framework for Nebraska homeschooling, allowing a parent to educate their child at home without fear of prosecution under homeschool Nebraska laws.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, the number of homeschooled students in Nebraska increased from around 2,500 in the early 1990s to over 7,000 by 2016. This growth has been facilitated by the lack of homeschooling laws in Nebraska, and the emergence of various support groups, co-ops, and organizations that provide resources and educational activities for a Nebraska homeschool under Nebraska’s homeschool laws.
Current Nebraska Homeschool Laws and Regulations
Nebraska’s compulsory law, which applies to ages 6-18, requires mandatory attendance if a child will reach six years of age prior to January 1 of the then-current school year. When homeschooling in Nebraska, laws provide a parent with several options to fulfill this requirement, including:
Enrolling their child in a public, private, denominational, or parochial school.
Providing instruction at a Nebraska homeschool.
Enrolling their child in a private, denominational, or parochial school that meets the state’s requirements for an approved school.
In accordance with homeschool laws, Nebraska parents or legal guardians have the option to educate their child at home without adhering to state approval or accreditation standards, as outlined in Nebraska homeschool laws. A Nebraska homeschool is termed as exempt, categorized as non-approved and non-accredited private institution. A Nebraska homeschool may extend beyond the child’s residence and may enroll compulsory age students from multiple households under Nebraska’s homeschool laws.
By obtaining exempt status through the filing process, the parent consciously opts out of sending their child to a state accredited school, while still fulfilling obligations under the compulsory school age attendance law.
Many accredited homeschool programs in Nebraska are not accredited by the state but by private organizations.
How to Set Up a Homeschool In Nebraska
To legally establish a homeschool in Nebraska and begin homeschooling, you must follow these steps to learn how to homeschool in Nebraska:
Homeschool families must file for exempt status with the Department of Education. By filing for exempt status, a parent is electing to have their child attend a school that does not meet state approval requirements but remain in compliance with the school attendance law. The parent is also promising to comply with the state requirements for exempt schools, and that the information summary provided. such as the child’s birth certificate, is true and accurate.
The preferred method of filing is to submit online through the Nebraska Homeschooling Exempt School Program at https://exemptschool.education.ne.gov.
NDE will provide the official notification to the resident public school district in accordance with Nebraska homeschooling laws.
Maintaining Your Nebraska Homeschool
Once the initial application has been submitted to the Nebraska Department of Ed, you must file for exemption by July 15 of each school year that the school will be in operation under Nebraska homeschooling laws.
Otherwise, there is no specific ongoing paperwork or filing requirements for a Nebraska homeschool to start homeschooling. However, it is advisable to maintain detailed records of your child’s education, curricula, progress, and assessments. This documentation can be useful for several reasons:
Providing evidence of compliance with the state’s compulsory laws.
Helping parents track their children’s academic progress and identify areas for improvement or additional support.
Serving as a record of accomplishments and learning experiences, which can be valuable for college applications or other future educational endeavors.
Maintaining thorough records of homeschool studies can also help facilitate the transition if parents decide to enroll their children in a public or private school in the future.
Nebraska Homeschool Reporting Requirements
The state does not require any regular reports or documentation regarding a Nebraska homeschool. Unlike some other states, there are no annual assessment or testing requirements for homeschooled students in Nebraska.
Homeschool Testing In Nebraska
The Nebraska Department of Education does not facilitate or offer state assessments for nonpublic school students. Private options are accessible for a Nebraska homeschool seeking annual testing for their children. Homeschool students can participate in these private options, including the PSAT, SAT, ACT, and AP exams.
Funding Your Nebraska Homeschool
Nebraska does not provide any direct funding or financial assistance to a Nebraska homeschool. Since Nebraska homeschooling is considered a private educational choice, parents are entirely responsible for covering the costs associated with Nebraska homeschooling, including materials, educational resources, and any extracurricular activities.
However, there are some federal tax benefits that can help offset the costs of Nebraska homeschooling:
Homeschool expenses, such as materials, books, and supplies, may be eligible for tax deductions.
Parents may be able to claim a tax credit for certain educational expenses if they qualify for the Lifetime Learning Credit or the Tuition and Fees Deduction.
Educational expenses related to Nebraska homeschooling may also be eligible for deduction through a Coverdell Education Savings Account or a 529 Education Savings Plan.
It’s advisable for a Nebraska homeschool to consult with a tax professional to understand the specific tax benefits and deductions they may be eligible for based on their individual circumstances.
Federal Tax Breaks
A Nebraska homeschool may be eligible for certain federal tax benefits to help offset educational expenses. One option is a Coverdell Education Savings Account, which allows money to grow tax-free when used for qualified education costs. Homeschool parents might also be able to deduct a portion of mortgage interest or rent if part of the home is used regularly and exclusively for homeschooling.
Finally, tax credits or deductions could be available for required books, supplies, equipment and curricula used for homeschool instruction. To learn more about these potential tax advantages, a Nebraska homeschool should review the information and resources provided by the IRS.
Nebraska Immunization Requirements
Nebraska does not have any specific immunization requirements for homeschooled students. Unlike children attending public or private institutions, homeschooled students are not required to provide proof of immunizations or exemption forms to the state or local school districts.
However, it’s important to note that immunization requirements may apply if homeschooled students participate in extracurricular activities outside the home that interact with other students or the general public. For example, some homeschool co-ops, sports teams, or enrichment programs may require participants to meet certain immunization standards even for a homeschool in Nebraska.
Parents should also be aware that immunization requirements may come into play if they decide to enroll their homeschooled children in a public or private school in the future. In such cases, the school’s immunization policies will apply, and parents may need to provide proof of immunizations or obtain exemptions according to the school’s guidelines to homeschool in Nebraska.
Nebraska State Graduation Requirements
Nebraska does not have a standardized curriculum to graduate homeschooled students. Parents are solely responsible for determining the appropriate core subjects and educational standards for their children at a homeschool in Nebraska. Program of instruction must lead to the basic skills in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies and health for homeschool graduates.
This flexibility allows homeschooling parents to tailor their children’s education to meet their individual needs and goals. However, it also means that parents must carefully consider their child’s future plans and ensure that the education they provide aligns with any specific requirements for college admission or other post-secondary endeavors.
If parents intend to issue a high school diploma to their homeschooled student, it’s advisable to research the typical graduation requirements in Nebraska’s public and private schools such as courses in language arts, science, and social studies. This can provide a general guideline for the subject areas that should be covered during the student’s homeschool education.
Nebraska Homeschool Charters
Nebraska does not have any homeschool charter or state-sponsored virtual public institutions for a homeschool in Nebraska. Homeschooling in Nebraska is entirely a private endeavor, and home educators are solely responsible for their children’s education.
While some states have established homeschool charters or virtual public school programs that provide curriculum and resources to a Nebraska homeschool, Nebraska has not implemented any such programs at the state level for a homeschool in Nebraska.
Local Nebraska Homeschooling Resources
While Nebraska does not provide any state-funded resources or virtual schools for homeschoolers, there are several organizations that offer support, resources, and networking opportunities for homeschooling families:
Nebraska Christian Home Educators Association (NCHEA): A statewide home educators network that provides information, support, field trips, and resources for homeschooling families.
Other homeschool groups: Many communities in Nebraska have local homeschooling support groups that organize activities, field trips, co-ops, and cooperative learning opportunities for homeschoolers.
Homeschool curriculum providers: There are several homeschool curriculum providers and bookstores located within Nebraska that offer a wide range of educational materials and resources for homeschooling families, including Rainbow Resource Center in Grand Island.
Nebraska Educational Service Units (ESUs): Nebraska is divided into 17 ESUs that provide support to schools and educators across the state. While ESUs primarily serve public and private schools, some may offer homeschool-friendly resources or educational programs for homeschooling families.
Libraries and community centers: These often host events, classes, and activities that can be beneficial for homeschoolers. Parents should explore opportunities in their local area for educational activities that complement their homeschooling efforts.
It’s highly recommended that homeschooling households in Nebraska connect with these local homeschool groups and resources. They can provide valuable support, curriculum recommendations, social connections, and opportunities for cooperative learning and enrichment experiences that can enhance the homeschooling journey. If you do decide to homeschool, Nebraska has the resources to help you start homeschooling.
