Louisiana Homeschool Laws
State Laws per Home School Legal Defense Association
Compulsory Attendance Ages: "from the child's 7th birthday until his 18th birthday."
Required Days of Instruction: 180 days
Required Subjects: A "curriculum of a quality at least equal to that offered by public schools at the same grade level."
Home Schoolers have two options. Below is a summary, for more detail refer to HSLDA.
Option 1: Home Study
Go to the Louisiana Department of Education's web site. From the "most requested info" menu, choose "Home Study" and then click on the "Guidelines" link in the center of the page. When the booklet opens, scroll to the 3rd to last page. This is the application to print and fill out. If you do not have internet access, you may call the Department of Education toll free at (877) 453-2721 and request that a Home Study Application be sent to you.Home Study Program applications must be sent within 15 days of the start of your school year or within 12 months of your last application.
First time homeschoolers must send a copy of each child's birth certificate with the application.
Renewing homeschoolers send a copy of the child's scores on a nationally standardized test OR a certified teacher's evaluation stating the child “is being taught in accordance with a sustained curriculum of quality at least equal to public schools” or “at least equal to that offered by public schools to a child of similar disabilities” OR scores from a state standardized test (LEAP or iLEAP) OR a portfolio that includes such things as samples of the child's work, list of materials used and other documents may be submitted, but will usually be rejected as insufficient.
Be sure to check off the box at the bottom of the form if you don't want your private information published.
Make 2 copies of the application and send the original and 1 copy by certified mail, return receipt requested. Place the other copy in a file and attach the return receipt when it arrives.
TOPS Information
Students MUST be in approved home study program before the start of their 11th grade year and all of their 12th grade year. Current ACT for home study graduates is 22. (24 for Performance, 28 for Honors) (as of 3/10/2009) Qualifying ACT score must be earned prior to high school graduation date. Must apply by FAFSA by all appropriate deadlines.You can find more information on these flyers from This Web Page.
Option 2: Private School
Send a letter with your school's letter head to:Director
School Standards, Accountability, and Assistance
P.O. Box 94064-9064
Baton Rouge LA 70804
If you are homeschooling under the Private School Option, the State of Louisiana requires that a notification of enrollment letter to be sent in no later than 30 days after the start of your school year.
Make two (2) copies of your letter and send one via certified mail, return receipt requested. Keep the other in a file and attach the return receipt when it arrives.
Letter head should consist of school name and address. The telephone number is not required.
Private school letter must be sent each year you homeschool.
