South Carolina Homeschool Law

The following homeschooling legal options are for South Carolina only. If you live in any other state you will need to check with your state’s laws. You can find the laws for each state from Home School Legal Defense Association. In South Carolina, the law allows for three options for legally homeschooling in the state. Homeward Education Association is part of Option 3.

LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERVISION
This is commonly known as option 1. “A parent or guardian may home school their children at home if the instruction is approved by the school district in which the children reside.” A district board of trustees shall approve homeschooling programs which meet the following standards: 1) parent/guardian must hold at least a high school diploma or GED; 2) the instructional day is at least four and one-half hours per day (excluding lunch and recess) and at least 180 days; 3) the curriculum includes, but is not limited to, the basic instructional areas of reading, writing, math, science and social studies and in grades 7 through 12, composition and literature; 4) the parent/guardian shall maintain the following records for inspection upon reasonable notice by the district: a plan book or diary that outlines the students learning activities, a portfolio of samples of students work, and a semi-annual progress report; 5) access to library facilities; 6) participation in district achievement testing using whatever is approved for that grade; and 7) the parent/guardian must agree in writing to hold the district, et al harmless for any educational deficiencies of the student as a result of home education. There are a few other points within the law. If you are interested in what they are please email Homeward Education Association and they will be explained to you.

SCAIHS – South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools
This is commonly known as option 2. “Parents or guardians may teach their children at home if the instruction is under the auspices of the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools. Bona fide membership and continuing compliance with the academic standards of SCAIHS exempts the home school from the further requirements of the school district rules.” SCAIHS offers memberships for a fee and tuition. SCAIHS also has its own set of rules to follow. For more information about SCAIHS please contact them.

THIRD OPTION ASSOCIATIONS
Parents/Guardians also have the option of homeschooling under the auspices of an association. Membership and compliance with the association exempts the family from the aforementioned requirements. The association standards are: 1) parent/guardian must hold at least a high school diploma or GED; 2) instructional year be at least 180 days; 3) the curriculum includes, but is not limited to, the basic instructional areas of reading, writing, math, science and social studies and in grades 7 through 12, composition and literature; and 4) the parent/guardian shall maintain the following records: a plan book or diary that outlines the students learning activities, a portfolio of samples of students work, and a semi-annual progress report. The associations have to report to the school districts the number of students and their respective grades by January 30th. The best aspect of the Association law is that the parent retains major control of their home school. For a nominal fee, the parent can be free of restrictions placed upon their home school by others. Also, under the Association law, testing is not mandatory. The parent has the choice of whether to test and, if so, what test to have administered.

HOME SCHOOL LEGAL DEFENSE ASSOCIATION: This is an organization that is dedicated to defending the rights of any family to homeschool. For a yearly fee, you can become a member family and HSLDA will help your family with any legal issues you may have in your homeschooling situation. Through HSLDA you can find out about the homeschooling laws in any state. HSLDA is a very important part of the homeschooling community. Please visit their website www.hslda.org to find out more about them. Homeward Education Association is now offering an HSLDA discount to its members! Email HEA at [email protected] for more info!

To find out about the laws in your state:
www.hslda.org/legal

For questions, please contact Homeward Education Association [email protected]