SC CODE OF LAW
Prior to 1988, the only option for home school was to register with their districts. Today, home schools have three options. The following is a brief overview of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd option home school laws and their differences. This overview is provided for educational purposes only. Visit the State House Networks Web site to view the text in its entirety.
1st OPTION: SECTION 59-65-40 FOR HOME SCHOOL PROGRAMS
- Parents or guardians may teach their children at home if the instruction is approved by the district the family resides in. The district will approve a home school program if the parent holds at least a high school diploma or a GED.
- The instructional day is at least four and one-half hours, and the instructional year is at least one hundred eighty days.
- Curriculum is to include reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies in grades seven through twelve, composition and literature.
- The following records are required, and must be presented to a school district representative for inspection upon request. The representative must provide a reasonable notice.
- Record keeping will include the following:
- a written record of subjects taught and activities the student and parent have completed.
- a portfolio
- a record of evaluation, semiannual progress report, attendance records, and an assessment of each student's progress that must be submitted to the school district.
It is required that students have access to the library.
Students must participate in the annual statewide testing program. The tests must be administered by a certified school district employee. Test will be administered in the public school with other students or the parent may arrange for the test to take place in the home, at the parent’s expense.
Parents are required to sign a statement holding the South Carolina school systems blameless, should there be any educational deficiencies.
Once a district becomes aware that there are deficiencies, the parents have thirty days to correct them before the district withdraws its approval of the home school program.
2nd OPTION: SECTION 59-65-45 FOR HOME SCHOOL PROGRAMS
The alternative home schooling requirements are as follows:
- Parents or guardians may teach their children at home if the instruction is conducted under the auspices of the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools.
- A parent or guardian must have a high school diploma or GED.
- The instructional year is at least one hundred eighty days.
Curriculum is to include reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies in grades seven through twelve, composition and literature.
3rd OPTION: SECTION 59-65-47 FOR HOME SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Parents or guardians may teach their children at home if the instruction is conducted under the auspices of an association for home schools which has no fewer than fifty members and meets the requirements of this section.
- A parent or guardian must have a high school diploma or GED.
- The instructional year is at least one hundred eighty days.
- Curriculum is to include reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies in grades seven through twelve, composition and literature.
- Educational records shall be maintained by the parent-teacher and will include the following:
- a written record of subjects taught and activities the student and parent have completed.
- a portfolio
- a semiannual progress report, attendance records, and documentation of each student's progress.