Missouri homeschool checklist for this year

Things to do, with their deadlines

Nothing dated for your answers. We found no law that makes a family register a home school with the state or the school district. If the child is on a public school's rolls, a parent who makes written notification of intent to pursue other educational options under section 167.031 and asks that the child be dropped from the rolls can expect the school to remove the child promptly.

All year

• All year

  Teach the subjects Missouri names: reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science.

  Source: RSMo 167.012 Home school defined (Revisor of Statutes)
• All year

  Keep count of the hours. The parent must offer at least 1,000 hours of instruction, at least 600 of them in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science or related academic courses suited to the child's age and ability. At least 400 of those 600 hours must be at the regular home school location. This does not apply to a pupil sixteen or older.

  Source: RSMo 167.012 Home school defined (Revisor of Statutes)
• All year

  The parent keeps a plan book, diary or other written record of subjects taught and activities, a portfolio of samples of the child's work, and a record of evaluations of the child's progress (or other written or credible evidence equal to those). A daily log showing a course of instruction that meets the law is a defense to prosecution and to educational neglect charges. Records are reviewed only by the local prosecuting attorney. These do not apply to a pupil sixteen or older.

  Source: RSMo 167.012 Home school defined (Revisor of Statutes)

Good habits (not in the law)

• Keep a copy of everything you send, and of any acknowledgement you get back, with the date.

• Start simple records on day one: the days you teach, the books you read and a few samples of work in each subject. They help if you move, return to school or apply to college.