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State Laws and Regulations - North Carolina
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Welcome to homeschooling in North Carolina! We encourage you to discuss the laws and regulations regarding home education with other homeschoolers who live in your state, and especially with those who are knowledgeable about the homeschooling climate in your local community.
Homeschooling laws and regulations vary from state to state; there is no federal authority for all laws and regulations which can affect homeschooling.
Each parent who chooses to homeschool their children in North Carolina takes on a responsibility to familiarize themselves with the specific laws and regulations which affect homeschooling families in their state.
There are many good resources for help, beginning with the homeschool support groups, organizations, listservs, websites and helpful individuals. To find out more visit the Support Groups section of this web site.
Please Note: This is not intended to be legal advice and is distributed for informational purposes only. For more information about the laws and regulations in this state please contact a state or local support group.
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North Carolina General Assembly
The statutes are Article 39 115C-547 through 115C-565, which state:
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"Home school means a nonpublic school in which one or more children of not more than two families or households receive academic instruction from parents or legal guardians or a member from either household."
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A home school must meet the following requirements:
a) operate for a nine calendar month school term (doesn't say which months)
b) keep attendance records and disease immunization records
c) send a letter of intent to the director of the Division of Non-public Education of their intent to operate and include name and address of the home school, the home school's owner, and the "chief administrator".
d) The home school must also elect to operate under the qualifications of a "private church school or school of religious character" OR under the qualifications of a "qualified nonpublic school." The requirements are the same for either classification.
e) If the home school is in a private home, all safety and sanitation requirements are waived.
Parents must have at least a high school diploma or GED.
Testing: Parents must administer an annual standardized test any time during the school year which must be made available on request for inspection by the state at reasonable times. You must make them available for at least a one-year period.'
State officials do not have the right to make home visits, nor are they to look at any other records other than test scores. Parents are under no obligation to attend "regional meetings" arranged by the Division. Test scores can simply be mailed to the Division of Non-Public Education.
Before beginning homeschooling, you must notify the North Carolina Division of Non-Public Education of your intent to homeschool. You must obtain, from that office, and complete the form "Notice of Intent to Operate a School in North Carolina." Attach photocopies of documentation that you, as the home school teacher, hold at least a high school diploma or its equivalent.
If, in the estimation of officials your home school meets legal requirements, it will be considered a private school.
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