Homeschooling Regulations by State: Oregon

by Christina Yeager

Homeschooling can seem like a huge undertaking, no matter how many children you have. It’s the same concept you’ve been using since your children were born by simply teaching them! Each state has specific laws and regulations regarding homeschooling and it’s important to know those. Do you live in Oregon and have thought about teaching your children at home? We have information about that!
​

---

Each state is the U.S. has a very specific set of regulations for homeschooling. If you are thinking about teaching your child at home, you'll need to know the ins and outs of what needs to be done beforehand and during. In this series, Homeschooling Regulations by State, we'll explore information to help with the decision, what to do to get started and what to do correctly to continue.
​
The regulations, laws and suggestions in this post may not reflect the needs for your particular situation. Not all apply to each individual family. To learn more about the laws and regulations in this state on homeschooling, click the link at the end of the post! This will direct you to the states’ Board of Education or government education site.

---

Compulsory School Age	The compulsory school age that children must start attending school in Oregon is age six. They must attend instruction until the age of eighteen or until they've graduated in order to comply with state truancy laws. Exception: If your child turns six after September 1st of that year, they may wait until the next academic year to attend.
Withdrawing From Public School	There is no formal process to follow in order to withdraw your child from the school they attend during the school year or before the next one. Best policy is to notify the school in writing (keep a copy for your records, just in case) and inform the school your child attends or would attend of your intent to homeschool. Why? It's best to avoid any confusion that may be mistaken for truancy. The school district needs to knows that the child will be educated, either way.
Register	Parents who wish to homeschool their children must register them at their local Education Service District (ESD) within 10 days of withdrawal from public or private school or notifying the the district of your intent to provide a home-based education. A contact list with all Oregon areas can be found here. They will have information on how to register.
Testing	State testing required for grades 3, 5, 8 and 10. Test must be given by a qualified examiner.  A "qualified" individual means: Has a recent personnel service license or teaching license from Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission; or Licensed by the Oregon Board of Psychologist Examiners; or Meets the publisher's qualifications for purchase, and has purchased at least one of the approved tests; or Provides evidence of satisfactory completion of a graduate course in which test administration and interpretation is included in the objective; or Previously qualified as an Oregon homeschool tester, and has during the previous year administered at least one of the approved tests.

If you still have questions, visit the Oregon Department of Education website.

Are you a homeschooler (new or veteran) seeking to share insight? Read our guidelines and thenreach out introducing yourself to obtain blogging credentials! And if you're a homeschool parent, be sure to follow the Homeschooling Heroes page on Facebook for tons of resources and insight, and join the Unschool Homeschool group to expand your horizons as to what homeschooling is/can be. And finally, if you're looking for activities to join, we have a group with New Orleans-based activities, which will be expanding to an area near you - so join our group! And be excited about that, because we offer tons of exceptional educational and extracurricular activities for homeschoolers and parents, and can't wait to include you.

---