1. Parent or guardian must annually submit to the superintendent of the local school district in which the program is located a Declaration of Intent to Utilize a Home Study Program by September 1 or within 30 days after a program is established for each child between the ages of 6 and 16. The local school superintendent will provide a form upon request for that purpose, to be returned to that office.
2. The declaration must include the names and ages of the students, the address where the program is located, and the dates of the school year.
3. Parents or guardians may teach only their own children. The teacher-parent or guardian must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent GED certificate. If a tutor is employed, the tutor must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent GED certificate.
4. The home study program must include but is not limited to instruction in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science.
5. The school year must include the equivalent of 180 days of at least 4 1/2 hours of instruction per day unless the child is physically unable to comply with this requirement.
6. Monthly attendance reports must be sent to the local superintendent at the end of each month. The local school superintendent will upon request provide the reporting forms.
7. Students in Home Study Programs shall be subject to an appropriate nationally standardized testing program administered in consultation with a person trained in the administration and interpretation of norm referenced tests. The student must be evaluated at least every three years beginning at the end of the third grade. Records of such tests shall be retained.
8. The instructor shall write an annual progress assessment report in each required subject area for each student. These reports shall be retained for at least three years.

For more information visit Home School Legal Defense Association for Georgia

CONTACT INFORMATION

• County: Columbia County
• Title: Columbia County Home Study Program
• Address: 4781 Hereford Farm Road
• Evans, GA 30809

• County: Richmond
• Contact: Mrs. Linda J. Heggs
• Title: Office of School Social Work
• Address: 864 Broad Street, Augusta, GA 30901
• Phone: 706-826-1139