Legal Requirements

UNDERSTANDING HOMESCHOOLING REQUIREMENTS

Is Unschooling Legal?

In the United States, unschooling is practiced as an approach to homeschooling. Choosing it doesn’t exempt your family from homeschooling laws, you still need to meet the requirements that apply where you live.


The first step is finding those requirements. Then you can explore how to support your child’s learning and handle any necessary documentation without assuming every day must look like school.

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START WHERE YOU LIVE

Find Your Homeschooling Requirements

Advice from a parent in another state or country may not apply to your family. Start with current information from your state education department or the relevant authority where you live.


Check:

  • When compulsory education or attendance requirements apply.
  • How to withdraw a child who is already enrolled in school.
  • Whether you need to submit a notice or register.
  • Any requirements for subjects, instruction, or educational plans.
  • Whether records, assessments, evaluations, or reports are required.
  • Which deadlines and submission rules apply.


A local homeschooling organization can help you find the relevant information and understand the process.

PREFER TO LISTEN?

Hear Sue Explain the Legal Questions

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International Unschooling 

If you live outside the US, you must check that country's laws. Unschooling is legal in various countries, including Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, India, and more. Some nations allow homeschooling with heavy restrictions. For example, Austria requires home education to be equal to public standards.


Unfortunately, many countries have laws mandating public education. Greenland, Cuba, Guatemala, Germany, and Greece fall under this category. In some countries, the regulations may be in place, but enforcement varies.


Unschooling families sometimes use umbrella programs that allow them more freedom - as their children are enrolled in these unschooling-friendly programs.

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Local Unschooling Legal Insights

Unschooling parents have learned to navigate legal requirements all over the world. However, the best way to learn the ins and outs of the laws in your area is to connect with other homeschoolers and unschoolers.

To help you find a group near you or online in your area, Sue has put together an extensive listing:


Find Local Groups


Additionally, in the Unschooling Mom2Mom free Facebook group, there are threads to check out by country.


For a deeper dive and other resources:

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WHEN YOU WANT TO TALK IT THROUGH

Get the Help You Need

Talk with Sue about your questions and get help finding resources for your situation. Her experience comes from raising her own unschoolers and supporting families in different locations.


For a legal interpretation of your circumstances, contact a qualified professional familiar with your local home-education laws.