HOMESCHOOLING IN Vermont & HOMESCHOOL LAWS
You may be considering homeschooling in Vermont, but don’t know where to start regarding Vermont homeschool laws. This guide will walk you through what you need to know to successfully set up your own state of Vermont homeschool. We’ll cover the history of homeschooling in Vermont, current Vermont homeschool laws and regulations, required notifications and filings, curriculum and testing choices, high school transcripts, extracurricular enrollments, graduation requirements, and special education services.
History of Homeschooling in Vermont
Homeschooling in Vermont has evolved over time. Vermont has a long history of supporting homeschooling. When Vermont homeschool laws were first enacted in the late 1800s, they included provisions allowing parents to provide an “equivalent” instruction outside of public schools. This created a pathway for enrollments in homeschooling in Vermont.
In the early history of Vermont, schooling was conducted at small community schools. Vermont parents often relied on homeschooling due to the rural nature of Vermont.
As the 19th century progressed, Vermont saw a shift towards formalized school. Vermont enacted its compulsory attendance law in 1892, mandating school attendance for ages 8 to 14 for a minimum of 16 weeks per year for enrollments.
Vermont homeschooling became legal in 1988 for enrollments. Vermont homeschool laws established the framework and minimum standards for homeschooling in Vermont, requiring parents to submit a written notice and provide annual assessments for a Vermont homeschool.
Vermont has made adjustments to its homeschooling laws to clarify requirements of Vermont homeschool laws. These changes to Vermont homeschooling have included updates to assessment methods, reporting procedures, minimum course of study, and support networks for a Vermont homeschooling family.
Current Vermont Homeschool Laws and Regulations
In 2023, there were updates to Vermont homeschooling laws and the Home Study program for a Vermont homeschool. These Vermont homeschooling laws streamlined the enrollment process for the home study program when homeschooling in Vermont.
Although a Vermont homeschooling family is still required to submit an Intent form when homeschooling, the obligation to provide a minimum course of study has been eliminated for a Vermont homeschool.
As part of Vermont homeschooling laws, parents are mandated to inform the state annually to maintain a Vermont homeschool. This notification must include an assurance the student will receive at least 175 days of curriculum instruction at a Vermont homeschool.
Under the new Vermont homeschool laws, it is imperative to submit a Notice of Intent form to the Agency of Education Home Study enrollment Team, 10 business days before enrolling in the Home Study program at a Vermont homeschool. Vermont homeschooling laws mandate a student must be enrolled a minimum of 10 business days before the academic year.
The need to report a Minimum Course of Study to Vermont has been rescinded for Vermont homeschooling. Parents are now required to confirm that their student is receiving core curriculum in the homeschool curriculum.
Parents do not need to be a Vermont licensed teacher for Vermont homeschooling. Furthermore, the obligation for a family to submit an end-of-year assessment is eliminated.
Vermont homeschool students can use various assessment methods, such as a standardized achievement test, evaluation by a certified teacher, or a portfolio of a child’s work in subject areas.
Vermont Homeschool students enjoy access to select school education offers.
Vermont homeschool students are permitted to enroll in extracurricular activities. See reference here.
First time enrollments must provide either of the following:
Documentation of enrollment forms affirming the student’s prior enrollment in a Vermont approved public school, such as a report card.
Submission of the Independent Professional Evidence Form or an accepted alternative that verifies the existence of a documented disability in the student.
How to Set Up a Homeschool in Vermont
Start your homeschooling journey in Vermont by following these steps:
Submit an intent form to Vermont for each student to begin Vermont homeschooling. Include the following information:
The student’s name, age, and birthdate.
Contact information, including names, mailing addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers.
An explicit affirmation that academic development for each student will be assessed at the conclusion of the academic year.
Here’s the Notice of Intent Form.
For children not previously enrolled in a Vermont public school or Vermont home study program:
Inclusion of “independent professional evidence on whether the child has a disability.” A pledge that each student will receive 175 days of instruction in the required subjects for a student with documented disabilities.
Signatures of parents legally empowered to make educational decisions for the students, or an affirmation that the individual seeking enrollment holds sole primary decision-making authority.
For families moving to Vermont to begin homeschooling:
Follow the same process of filing the intent form.
If previously homeschooling in another state, provide a copy of the withdrawal form from your former school district along with the Enrollment Notice.
Maintaining Your Vermont Homeschool
The key ongoing requirements for maintaining a homeschool in Vermont are as follows:
Submit a Comprehensive Enrollment Notice: Vermont homeschooling requires you to send an annual written enrollment notice form as outlined above.
Within 10 business days of receiving a complete enrollment notice form, the Agency of Education will provide a written receipt, confirming enrollment in a home study program.
In your homeschool, ensure ongoing instruction in the following subject areas:
Basic communication skills, including reading, and writing
Citizenship, history, and government in Vermont and the United States
Physical ed and health, covering the effects of tobacco, alcoholic drinks, and drugs and society
English, American, and other literature
Natural sciences
Fine arts
Parents must assess their child’s development at the end of each school year when homeschooling in Vermont. While this assessment doesn’t require submission to the Agency of Education, parents must maintain a record of it. Acceptable assessments include:
A standardized achievement test of the school or testing service.
A report prepared by a Vermont certified teacher.
A portfolio containing a summary of curriculum and at least four samples of work.
Grades from an online school.
Other professional evidence of passing the GED. See reference here.
Vermont Homeschool Reporting Requirements
Vermont homeschoolers must retain a copy of all end-of-year assessments of their children, encompassing a standardized achievement test, reports from certified teachers, portfolios of work samples, grades from online schools, or other independent professional evidence of passing the GED.
Additionally, we strongly advise retaining the following essential records for your Vermont homeschool:
Your enrollment acknowledgment form.
Attendance records.
Student textbooks.
Correspondence with school officials.
Other documents substantiating that your child received appropriate homeschool education.
These records should be preserved for a minimum of two full consecutive years.
Furthermore, it is recommended to maintain your student’s high school records and proof of compliance with homeschool education laws throughout their high school years, including any home education forms filed with officials when homeschooling in Vermont. See reference here.
Homeschool Testing in Vermont
Each year while Vermont homeschooling in the Home Study program, students are required to undergo an assessment, demonstrating progress in their home study enrollment.
With the amendment to the Home Study law of the Vermont homeschool laws, the annual subject area assessments no longer need to be submitted for review. Families in home study programs are now responsible for maintaining a copy of their End-of-Year Assessment (EOYA) for their student records.
As outlined in the Home Study Law of the Vermont homeschool laws, the EOYAs should include an attestation that academic progress will be assessed annually, and the parent will retain the record. Approved assessment methods include:
A standardized assessment administered by the school district.
A progress review conducted by a Vermont certified teacher.
A parent report of the school year with at least four samples of student work.
Grades obtained from an online school.
Funding Your Vermont Homeschool
Vermont’s Town Tuitioning Program, established in 1869, is the oldest active school choice program in the country. This school voucher initiative offers educational alternatives for students from towns without public schools. The town sends tuition payments directly to the “receiving” school, which can be any public or private institution, whether in Vermont or beyond.
Vermont homeschooling is considered a private independent school under Vermont homeschool laws.
Vermont homeschoolers may be able to enroll in public school programs. Options from school districts may include:
Participation in an individual course like art, music, etc.
Access to the school library.
Ability to enroll in extracurricular activities.
Parents would need to speak with their local school district about opportunities for homeschoolers.
Vermont homeschooling families should budget for the full costs of Vermont homeschooling.
Federal Tax Breaks
Vermont homeschooling families 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. Vermont homeschool parents might 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, and homeschool curriculum used for homeschool. To learn more about these potential tax advantages, Vermont homeschooling families should review the information and resources provided by the IRS.
Vermont Immunization Requirements
Vermont has immunization requirements that apply equally to public school students and approved private school students. Vermont immunization laws do not extend to home study students. However, should your child wish to engage in activities at a public school, they might need to adhere to the immunization requirements. Vermont students are required to be vaccinated appropriately for their age unless they hold an approved exemption when homeschooling in Vermont.
Vermont State Graduation Requirements
Vermont students in high school enrolled in a Home Study program do not obtain a diploma from the Agency of Education. However, Vermont families have the option to request a Verification from the Vermont Home Study office, specifying the period during which students were enrolled in the home study program. To make this request, Vermont families can send an email to aoe.homestudy@vermont.gov.
Vermont homeschool families are required to evaluate each Home Study student, maintaining a separate assessment for each child if multiple children from the same grade level or household are enrolled in home study. While families must assess their students, the new rule effective for the 2023-2024 school year does not mandate the submission of these assessments. See reference here.
Vermont Homeschool Charters
Vermont does not have any state-sponsored or funded homeschool charter schools, or online schools. Homeschooling is treated purely as a private education option.
Local Vermont Homeschooling Resources
While Vermont does not have state-level funding or programs for homeschoolers, there are some local resources such as co-ops, Vermont homeschool families may be able to utilize:
Access to public school programs: Talk to your local school district about the possibility of having your homeschool student take a certain course or enroll in sports or programs at the public school.
Library resources: Public libraries can provide tremendous educational content through books, programs, activities, and more.
Homeschool associations/co-ops: Enrolling in local Vermont homeschool associations and Vermont co-ops can connect you to field trips, community resources, special education evaluation, and networks of other Vermont homeschool families.
Local Vermont museums, community education centers, and Vermont colleges: Many organizations offer educational classes and events for homeschoolers.
Vermont Agency of Education Resources: The Vermont Department of Education has an informational Homeschool Site: (https://education.vermont.gov/home-study)
General Online Resources: Vermont homeschool families can take advantage of vast educational content freely available online.
By tapping into local community resources and support systems, homeschool families in Vermont can maximize educational opportunities even without direct state funding.
