The following is a sample letter providing intent to homeschool, specifically outlining information necessary by law in Ohio. First is a basic cover letter, followed by the information. By law a brief outline of intended curriculum for the current year and a list of textbooks, correspondence courses, commercial curricula, or other basic teaching materials that the parent for home education must be included. Both are for informational purposes only. Also upon supplying subsequent notification the parent must include either results of a normed, standardized achievement test (we use Seton Testing Services) or a written narrative indicating that a portfolio of samples of the child’s work has been reviewed and that the child’s academic progress for the year is in accordance with the child’s abilities. This sample does not supply the additional information, ie curriculum outline and list of materials, that must be included by law, but rather a basic letter that details the exact law and information that must be provided for being excused from compulsory attendance for home education. * denotes a need to fill in your personal information if using this sample letter for your notification.
*Parent's name*
*Parent's address*
*Parent's phone number (optional)*
*Date*
*Superintendent's name*
*Superintendent's office address*
Dear *insert Superintendent's name*,
This letter is to inform you of my intent to provide home education for my child(ren), *insert child(ren)'s name(s) here*, for the school year of *insert school year*. Enclosed is the information I am required by law to provide to the superintendent.
*insert signature*
*insert date*
Home Education Notification Letter
3301-34-02 Statement of purpose
The purpose of the rules in this chapter is to prescribe conditions governing the issuance of excuses from school attendance under section 3321.04 of the Revised Code, to provide for the consistent application thereof throughout the state by superintendents, and to safeguard the primary right of parents to provide the education for their child(ren). Home education must be in accordance with law.
3301-34-03 Notification
(A) A parent who elects to provide home education shall supply the following information to the superintendent-(1) School year for which notification is made;
*insert school year here*
(2) Name of parent, address, and telephone number (telephone number optional);
*insert parent's name*
*insert address*
*insert telephone number (optional)*
(3) Name, address, and telephone number (telephone number optional) of person(s) who will be teaching the child the subjects set forth in paragraph (A)(5) of this rule, if other than the parent;
*insert N/A* for not applicable (if parent is teaching), if a person other than parent is teaching-
*insert name of person teaching*
*insert address of person teaching*
*insert telephone number of person teaching*
(4) Full name and birthdate of child(ren) to be educated at home;
*insert child's name and birthdate*
*insert additional child's name and birthdate*
*repeat inserting child's name and birthdate for all children whom you are intending to provide home education*
(5) I assure that home education will include the following, except that home education shall not be required to include any concept, topic, or practice that is in conflict with the sincerely held religious beliefs of the parent:
(a) Language, reading, spelling, and writing:
(b) Geography, history of the United States and Ohio; and national, state, and local government;
(c) Mathematics;
(d) Science;
(e) Health;
(f) Physical education;
(g) Fine arts, including music; and
(h) First aid, safety, and fire prevention.
(6) Brief outline of the intended curriculum for the current year. Such outline is for informational purposes only. (see attached) *do make a brief outline of curriculum and attach*
(7) List of textbooks, correspondence courses, commercial curricula, or other basic teaching materials that the parent intends to use for home education. Such list is for informational purposes only. (see attached) *do make a list of textbooks, curricula, and materials and attach*
(8) I assure that the child will be provided a minimum of nine hundred hours of home education each school year.
(9) I assure that the home teacher has one of the following qualifications:
(a) A high school diploma; or
(b) The certificate of high school equivalence; or
(c) Standardized test scores that demonstrate high school equivalence; or
(d) Other equivalent credential found appropriate by the superintendent; or
(e) Lacking the above, the home teacher must work under the direction of a person holding a baccalaureate degree from a recognized college until the child’s or children’s test results demonstrate reasonable proficiency or until the home teacher obtains a high school diploma or the certificate of high school equivalence.
(10) The parent(s) shall affirm the information supplied with his or her signature prior to providing it to the superintendent.
*insert signature*
*insert date*
3301-34-04 Academic Assessment
(A) The parent(s) shall send to the superintendent an academic assessment report of the child for the previous school year at the time of supplying subsequent notification.
(B) The academic assessment report shall include one of the following:
(1) Results of a nationally normed, standardized achievement test.
(a) Such test shall be administered by:
(i) A licensed or certified teacher; or
(ii) Another person mutually agreed upon by the parent(s) and the superintendent; or
(iii) A person duly authorized by the publisher of the test.
(b) Results should demonstrate reasonable proficiency as compared to other children in the district at the same grade level. Any child that has a composite score at or above the twenty-fifth percentile shall be deemed to be performing at a level of reasonable proficiency.
(2) A written narrative indicating that a portfolio of samples of the child’s work has been reviewed and that the child’s academic progress for the year is in accordance with the child’s abilities.
(a) The written narrative shall be prepared by:
(i) A licensed or certified teacher; or
(ii) Other person mutually agreed upon by the parent(s) and the superintendent.
(b) The parent(s) shall be responsible for the payment of fees charged for preparation of the narrative.
(3) An alternative academic assessment of the child’s proficiency mutually agreed upon by the parent and the superintendent.
*If you choose (1) Results of a nationally normed, standardized achievement test insert as follows:
*Attached are the results of a nationally normed, standardized achievement test for my child(ren). (see attached)*
*If you choose (2) A written narrative indicating that a portfolio of samples of the child’s work has been reviewed and that the child’s academic progress for the year is in accordance with the child’s abilities insert as follows:
*Attached is a written narrative for my child(ren). (see attached)*
