Each summer, DC Homeschool families notify their local school districts of their intent to home educate, and Dayton Christian Homeschool is committed to helping you navigate this process. We have provided answers to some commonly asked questions and supplied the Notification Form, a helpful guide to notifying, clarification of required items and where to find additional information. This page will address topics regarding notifying in Ohio and how this impacts Dayton Christian Homeschool families. If you have any questions, please contact the Homeschool Office at 291-7240.
Notification FAQ’s
- How is homeschool notification regulated in Ohio?
The process of notification is regulated by the Ohio Administrative Code, found here- Chapter 3301-34 Excuses from Compulsory Attendance for Home Education - My child is under 6 years old, but I want to homeschool for kindergarten. Do I notify?
You do not need to notify for a child who is not of compulsory age (6 by September 30). - Do I need to send assessment results with my first notification?
There is no testing requirement to begin home education for your first year. OAC 3301-34-04(A) - What is the difference, in purpose, between standardized testing and a written narrative?
The objective for testing is to report academic proficiency as compared to national averages. The objective for a narrative is to report progress in accordance with the child’s abilities. - Will we need to send in our test results or a narrative assessment at the end of the year? It is your choice as to which type of document you send your district when you notify for subsequent years. You do not need to send in either of those items with your initial notification. Because you regularly meet with your advisor, Dayton Christian will provide a narrative assessment at the end of the school year for you to send in, if that is your preference.
- Is a child of a certain age required to be working in a certain grade level?
There are two choices of assessment in addition to “an alternative assessment mutually agreed upon between the parents and the superintendent.” The first option is a standardized achievement test, whereby the parents choose at what level the child tests. The second option, a written narrative, requires that the child be making “progress in accordance with the child’s abilities.” - Is there a deadline to notify?
OAC 3301-34 is in the process of being revised (April 2019) stating that parents will need to notify to be excused from compulsory attendance by the first day of school. It should be noted, however, that it is still up to the homeschooling parents to decide when instruction begins. Filing your notice of intent does not mean that you must begin instruction on your school district’s school calendar. Families can continue to begin their school year when they deem appropriate. There is also no prohibition against filing your notice of intent earlier in the summer, if that is more convenient.
- What if I receive a letter from my school district that my notification was incomplete?
Within 14 days of receipt of your Notice of Intent to Homeschool, the superintendent must state in writing what information listed in OAC 3301-34-03 is missing, and give the parents two options:
1) supply in writing the missing information
2) arrange a conference with superintendent to supply the missing information.
Option #1 is recommended. - Should I give information to school officials over the phone? It is recommended that you do all communicating with school officials in writing and by certified mail. This will establish a record of your communications, which should be kept in a file.
DC Homeschool FAQs
- Does DC Homeschool have advisors? YES! Every year our surveys tell us that parents value the support, encouragement, suggestions and prayer they receive from their advisor. Meeting regularly with an advisor throughout the year confidently prepares you to to send a written narrative to your school district or subsequent notifications.
- Will students receive DC grade cards? Yes, the children of parents who meet regularly with their advisor to assess progress and collaborate on grades will have a DC grade card completed each year. DC Homeschool will continue to keep cumulative records for all students.
- Does DC Homeschool offer annual standardized testing in the spring? Yes, this allows parents to monitor their children’s progress and if they so choose, use these score for subsequent notification.
- Do I need to notify my school district if my high school student is pursuing a DC diploma? Yes, ODE (Ohio Department of Education) is most concerned with how many hours students are in a classroom. If they are not in a traditional classroom the required hours and are primarily supervised by their parents, then they need to notify, but are still eligible to graduate with DC if all coursework is approved and supervised by DC. See Ohio Revised Code 3313.48
Helpful documents
This information, support, and recommendations are provided to assist you, but are not professional legal advice. It is the responsibility of each family to know your rights and responsibilities, and to obtain legal counsel when needed.
DC Homeschool & Independent Studies 