Homeschooling in Hawaii.

Who you notify

The principal of the public school your child would otherwise attend, before you begin home schooling (Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules (HAR) § 8-12-13).

How to notify

Use Form 4140, Section B, Option 5, or a letter with your child’s name, address, phone number, birth date and grade level, signed and dated by you.

What happens next

The principal and the complex area superintendent acknowledge your notice; it isn’t an approval. Home schooling begins when you submit the signed form or letter, and the school returns your copy.

When to notify again

Not every year, as long as you send the annual progress report. Send a new notice if you move to another school’s area or your child moves to a new school level.

Ages covered

Children who are at least 5 by July 31 of the school year and won’t turn 18 by January 1 (Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) § 302A-1132(a)).

Records you keep

A record of a structured curriculum: start and end dates, weekly instruction hours, subjects, how you judge mastery, and a list of materials. You don’t submit it, but the principal may ask to see it.

Subjects

No required list. The rule names subjects a curriculum may include, such as language arts, math, social studies, science, art, music, health and physical education.

Annual progress report

Send the principal a report each year: a standardized test result, a written evaluation by a Hawaiʻi-certified teacher, or your own written evaluation of progress in each subject with work samples. No due date is set.

Testing

Test results are required in grades 3, 5, 8 and 10. Your child may test free at your local public school (Smarter Balanced, Hawaiʻi State Assessment (HSA) Science or HSA Alternate), or privately at your cost with a comparable test.

If progress isn’t adequate

The principal meets with you to plan improvements and may ask for your curriculum record. No one may recommend school enrollment or legal action unless progress is inadequate for two consecutive semesters, and never before grade 3.

Parent qualifications

None. A parent teaching their own child is considered a qualified instructor (HAR § 8-12-19).

If you stop home schooling

Tell the principal. Your child must enroll in a public or licensed private school unless you present a new program within five school days (HAR § 8-12-16).

Credits and diplomas

Home schooling earns no course credits, and home-schooled students don’t receive a public high school diploma. Students may earn a high school equivalency credential, such as by passing the General Educational Development (GED) test.

What this is

A separate exception for an alternative educational program other than home schooling. It needs approval, and enrolling in a private school’s home-study program doesn’t count as private school attendance.

How to apply

Form 4140, Section B, Option 4, with a planned curriculum. The principal and complex area superintendent make recommendations; the superintendent or designee may approve (HAR § 8-12-8).

Instruction time

The plan should average about three hours of instruction per school day.

Renewal

Every year.