Homeschool And All

Here is a brief overview

Hawaii’s homeschooling laws are laid out in Hawaii Rev. Stat. § 302A-1132(a)(5). If you’re planning to homeschool, here’s what you’ll need to do:

  • Submit a Notice of Intent:
    • Before starting, let the principal of your local public school know you’re homeschooling.
    • Use Form 4140 or write a letter with your child’s details (name, address, phone, birth date, grade) and your signature.
    • You can create your own as long as it includes all necessary info.
    • Remember to inform the principal if you stop homeschooling.
  • Design Your Curriculum:
    • There are no specific subjects required, but your curriculum should:
      • Be organized and tailored to your child’s needs.
      • Cover a broad range of knowledge and skills.
      • Reflect your child’s interests and abilities.
    • Elementary might include subjects like language arts and science, while secondary could cover English and math.
  • Keep Records:
    • Maintain a record of your homeschooling plan, including:
      • Start and end dates.
      • Weekly hours of instruction.
      • Subjects covered.
      • Mastery assessment methods.
      • Textbooks or materials used, listed in a standard format.
  • Submit Annual Progress Reports:
    • Each year, share a progress report with the local principal.
    • For grades 3, 5, 8, and 10, provide results from a standardized test showing grade-level achievement.
    • For other grades, you can submit:
      • A score from a standardized test.
      • A teacher or parent-written evaluation with work samples.
      • Results from Hawaii’s Statewide Testing Program, if you choose that option.

To explain a little more , continue below

SUBMIT A NOTICE OF INTENT.

First up, before you even think about diving into textbooks, you need to throw a message in a bottle—or rather, a notice of intent—to the principal of your local public school. You can either fill out the snazzy Form 4140, courtesy of the Hawaii Department of Education, or write a letter that includes all the juicy details like your child’s name, address, and grade level. And remember, once you’re done with homeschooling, give the principal a heads-up. No ghosting allowed!

CRAFTING YOUR CURRICULUM

Next on our checklist is crafting a curriculum that’s as cool as a Hawaiian breeze. While the law doesn’t dictate specific subjects, it does say your curriculum should be like a well-planned luau—structured, sequential, and tailored to your child’s needs. For elementary kids, think of adding a splash of language arts, a dash of math, and maybe some science to spice things up. Secondary students? Mix in some social studies and English, and you’re good to go.

KEEPING RECORDS.

Now, onto record-keeping! Channel your inner librarian and keep track of your homeschooling journey, including start and end dates, subjects, and even the books you’re using. Think of it as your homeschooling scrapbook—neat, tidy, and ready for any pop quiz life throws at you.

ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORTs.

Finally, let’s talk progress reports. Each year, you’ll need to show the local principal just how far your child has surfed the educational waves. For certain grades, this means standardized tests that prove your child’s brain is as sharp as a shark’s tooth. For other grades, you can opt for a written evaluation or even Hawaii’s Statewide Testing Program.I ts like showing off your child’s educational tan!

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