Homeschooling Regulations by State: South Carolina

by Christina Yeager

Many parents think they aren’t able to homeschool. This is a common misconception. Knowing exactly what to do resolves that misunderstanding! Understanding the laws set forth in each state (since they are all different) is priceless information. We have information on homeschooling in South Carolina to start off on the right foot!
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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.
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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.

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Compulsory School Age	School enrollment is required of all students in the State of South Carolina that has turned five years of age before September 1st of that year. Students must then attend school until the age of seventeen or until they graduate.  Exceptions: If you feel your is age five but will not turn six until after September 1st and you wish not to enroll them, a signed form must be submitted to the local school district. A student that has either graduated or received their GED. A student that obtains a certificate from a licensed Psychologist declaring mental instability.  A child who has completed the eighth grade and can provide sufficient evidence of gainful employment or prove that they are needed by necessity to care for the home. A student that has a child may be granted a temporary waiver due to not having or able to find sufficient day care. The student must then work with the school district to resolve the issue. Upon enrollment, in the first fifteen instructional days of the public school year of in home instruction of the first grade, students must be tested using the readiness instrument approved by the State Board of Education for public school students. If a student is determined to be “not ready” or is determined to lack the necessary emotional maturity, the parent must be advised by appropriate school district personnel whether a kindergarten or a first grade curriculum should be used for the child. ​
Homeschooling Choices	Option 1: Parents/guardians may teach at home if their home-based program is sufficient to the local school district. If the homeschooling instructor does not have baccalaureate degree, they must have at least a diploma or GED and submit to testing and obtain a passing score on basic skills. They must also agree to teach the required curriculum and keep necessary records by way of the home-based learning plan and a portfolio of work, tests and art. The student must have access to a library and be tested for academic progress.  The district school board will provide an application process which elicits the information necessary for processing the homeschooling request, including a description of the program, the texts and materials to be used, the methods of program evaluation, and the place of instruction. Parents must be notified in advance of the date, place, and time of the meeting at which the application is considered by the board and parents may be heard at the meeting.  Option 2: Parents/guardians may teach at home if the instruction is conducted under the guidance of the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools. Bona fide membership and continuing compliance with the academic standards of South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools exempts the home school from the further requirements. Parents or guardians must have at least a diploma or GED, agree to teach the required curriculum and abide by the proper instructional days. Permission to teach foster children rules may different. Contact your local area school district.  Option 3: Parents/guardians may teach at home if the instruction is conducted under the guidance of an association for homeschools which has no fewer than fifty members and meets the requirements. Bona fide membership and continuing compliance with the academic standards of the associations exempts the home school from the further requirements. Parents or guardians must have at least a diploma or GED, agree to teach the required curriculum, abide by the proper instructional days, keep a portfolio of the students progress and submit a semiannual progress report.
Curriculum	Homeschool programs must abide by teaching the required curriculum: Reading Writing Mathematics Science Social Studies Composition Literature
Instruction	Instructions days in the State of South Carolina is 180 days. Daily instruction must consist of four and a half hours excluding lunch and recess.

To learn more about homeschooling in South Carolina, visit the South Carolina Department of Education online!

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.

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