It is time again to send out letters of intent to homeschool to the superintendent in your local school districts. Not every state requires a letter of intent so you must check your state laws if this coming fall will be your first year homeschooling. The letter of intent seems daunting to many first time homeschoolers. Questions range from what should be included to how to format the letter. The letter of intent is the first step to filing legal paperwork regarding your homeschooling choice.
What is a letter of intent?
Simply, the letter of intent is exactly how it sounds. The letter informs the superintendent of your choice to either remove your child from the school system or not enter the child in the school system for the purpose of homeschooling. Please check your state laws regarding the format of the letter or if a standard form is the preferred method.
What is normally in a letter of intent?
The child’s full legal name, date of birth and legal address
Subjects and list of books used in the course of study during the school year
Child’s grade
A simple statement that you intend to homeschool your child during the school year.
Again, check your state laws as in my state it is not required to give a child’s grade or a list of specific materials used during the year. There is no need nor is it encouraged to give information not required by law.
Things to Know
Please send your letter by certified mail to ensure it is received by the proper school authorities.
Check the Homeschool Legal Defense Association (www.hslda.com) for specifics on homeschool law for your state.
Find the correct place to send your letter by looking it up on your state department of education’s website or contacting the school board.
States which require letters of intent (information gathered from HSLDA):
* Arizona
* Arkansas
* Colorado
* Florida
* Georgia
* Hawaii
* Iowa –
* Kentucky
* Maine
* Maryland
* Minnesota
* Mississippi
* Montana
* Nebraska
* Nevada
* New Hampshire
* New Mexico
* New York
* North Carolina
* North Dakota
* Ohio
* Oregon
* Pennsylvania
* South Dakota
* Tennessee
* Utah
* Vermont
* Virginia
* Washington
* West Virginia
Please check your state laws for specifics as some require the letter to be notarized and some require standard forms to be sent. Since laws on homeschooling change do not assume this list is exhaustive as the information is current as of 2010.