Homeschooling in Delaware? Here’s your plan.

Delaware's homeschool law is short. 14 Del. C. Section 2703A defines a homeschool as a nonpublic school and sets out three types. Section 2703 exempts homeschooled students from compulsory public school attendance. Section 2704 sets the two yearly reports for every nonpublic school:

• A statement of pupil enrollment, no later than September 30, on forms the Department of Education prescribes
• End-of-year attendance information, on or before July 31

For single-family and multi-family homeschools, Delaware law does not list required subjects, set a number of instructional days or hours, or require testing. You choose your own curriculum and materials.

The third type, a single-family homeschool coordinated with the local school district, works differently. The local superintendent or designee approves the curriculum and determines in writing that your child is or will be receiving regular and thorough instruction in the subjects prescribed for the public schools.

Delaware's three homeschool types are defined in 14 Del. C. Section 2703A. A single-family homeschool is a parent educating their own child, mainly at home. A multi-family homeschool is parents educating children from more than one family, in one or more homes or other facilities; one person acts as the liaison to the Department of Education and reports enrollment and attendance for all the families. A single-family homeschool coordinated with the local school district uses a curriculum approved by the local superintendent, who determines in writing that the instruction covers the subjects prescribed for the public schools.

Enrollment statement by September 30. Submit your statement of pupil enrollment to the Delaware Department of Education each year, no later than September 30 (14 Del. C. Section 2704(b)). The Department prescribes the form, so check its homeschool page for how to file.

Attendance report by July 31. Report end-of-year attendance information to the Department each year, on or before July 31 (14 Del. C. Section 2704(a)).

No state testing. Delaware law does not require standardized testing for homeschooled students.

Withdrawing from public school. A withdrawal letter is not required by state law. Under 14 Del. C. Section 2703, a student homeschooled under Section 2703A is exempt from the public school attendance requirement; your homeschool's duty is to report enrollment to the Department of Education by September 30 and end-of-year attendance by July 31 (Section 2704). If a truancy case was filed before your child withdrew, the Justice of the Peace Court may keep jurisdiction over it (14 Del. C. Section 2703).

High school diplomas. You can create your own diploma and transcript for your homeschool.

Special education. Under 14 Del. C. Section 2703A(a), homeschooled students are deemed parentally placed private school children for equitable services under IDEA, using proportionate share funds. Contact your local school district to ask about an evaluation and available services.

Group homeschools. If you teach with other families as a multi-family homeschool, one person serves as the liaison to the Department of Education and reports enrollment and attendance for all the families involved.