Wikimedia Commons homeschool project

Whether you home school in Little Rock or anywhere else in Arkansas, the home school law is the same. Arkansas is fortunate to have minimal requirements on home school families. It is simply a matter of filing two forms, adhering to mandatory attendance laws and following the annual testing requirements.

All children ages five through seventeen must be enrolled in school. Home school or traditional school will fulfill this requirement. There is a form to fill out if the parents of a five year old feel that the child is not ready for school. A kindergarten waiver form must be completed prior to the beginning of the school year.

Two forms must be filled out. They are available from the Arkansas Department of Education Home School Division. The first form is a notice of intent. This form states that you are planning to home school your child or children. It asks what courses of study will be taught and it asks the parents qualifications. If the student will be driving, this form must be notarized and a copy presented to DMV when the student applies for a license. The other form is a waiver form. This states that you will not hold the State of Arkansas responsible for the education of your child. Both of these forms must be filed with the local Superintendent of Schools no later than August 15. For students transferring into the state or into a new district the forms must be filed within 30 days of moving. If a student will start home school in the spring term, the notice must be filed by December 15.

Mandatory testing is required of every student in grades three through nine. The state supplies the Iowa Test of Basic Skills at no charge every spring. Parents are responsible for getting the children to the test site. Students must pre-register. Alternate testing is acceptable. Parents pay for any alternate testing. The alternate testing plan must be submitted to the state prior to the scheduled test dates.

See the links box on the right for important home school links. This is just an overview of the Arkansas home school law. See rules and regulations regarding home schools for complete information.