Hawaii Laws and Requirements for Homeschool

In Hawaii, homeschooling is a recognized alternative to traditional schooling, and parents must adhere to specific guidelines to ensure compliance with state regulations.

Hawaii Homeschooling Laws and Requirements

1. Notification Requirements

  • Submit a Notice of Intent to homeschool to the principal of the local public school.
    • Use Form 4140 (Exceptions to Compulsory Education) or write a letter with:
      • Child’s name, address, birth date, and grade level.
      • Parent’s name, signature, and date.
  • This notification is a one-time requirement unless you change residence or re-enroll your child in public school.

2. Instructional Requirements

  • Curriculum: Must be based on structured, cumulative, and sequential educational objectives suitable for your child’s age and ability.
  • Subjects: While no specific subjects are mandated, consider including core areas like reading, language arts, math, science, and social studies.

3. Attendance and Assessment

  • Instructional Days: Hawaii does not specify a set number of instructional days for homeschool programs.
  • Progress Reports: Submit an annual report to the school principal, which may include:
    • Standardized test scores.
    • Written evaluations by a certified teacher.
    • Parent-prepared progress evaluations with samples of the student’s work.
  • Standardized Testing: Required for grades 3, 5, 8, and 10. You may arrange testing with public schools or use private options approved by the principal.

4. Recordkeeping

Parents should keep records of their curriculum plans, annual reports, and work samples in case of future reference.

5. High School Diploma

Homeschooled students do not earn a state-issued diploma but may pursue:

  • A GED (General Education Development Test).
  • Enrollment in a community school for adults in Hawaii to earn an Adult Community School Diploma.

Homeschooling Resources in Hawaii

Local Homeschool Support

  1. Christian Homeschoolers of Hawaii (CHOH)

  2. Hawaii Homeschool Network

Educational Resources

  1. Hawaii DOE Homeschooling Page

  2. Time4Learning

  3. HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association)

    • Legal assistance and information about homeschooling laws nationwide.
    • Website: hslda.org

  4. Khan Academy

    • Free online courses in core subjects, including math, science, and arts.
    • Website: khanacademy.org

 

Hawaii Department of Education