Homeschooling in Rhode Island.

Regulation level

High. You need your local school committee’s approval before you begin, and you keep attendance registers that are returned to school officials.

The law

Rhode Island General Laws § 16-19-1 (school attendance and approval of home instruction) and § 16-19-2 (conditions for approval and appeals). Civics: § 16-22-2.

Compulsory school age

From age 6 (if your child turns 6 on or before September 1), or earlier if enrolled in kindergarten, until your child turns 18. (R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-19-1)

Who approves your plan

The school committee of the city or town where your child lives. Start with your superintendent’s office. The Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (RIDE) doesn’t supervise home instruction.

How and when

Get your home instruction plan approved before you begin; teaching without approval can be treated as a compulsory attendance violation. If you’ve just moved, enroll your child in your new district first, then seek approval.

Each year

The law doesn’t say whether approval must be renewed each year. Ask your superintendent’s office what your district expects.

Showing progress

The law doesn’t require a test. As part of approving your plan, you and the school committee agree on how progress will be shown, which may include tests at regular intervals. (RIDE guidance)

Required subjects

Reading, writing, geography, arithmetic, U.S. history, Rhode Island history and principles of American government, taught in English (§ 16-19-2); civics (§ 16-22-2); and health and physical education (RIDE guidance).

Instruction time

Attendance must be “substantially equal” to public school. The law sets no number for home instruction; RIDE points to the public school minimum of 1,080 hours (about 5½ hours a day for 180 days) as a benchmark.

Records

Keep attendance registers like public school registers; they go to the school committee, superintendent, truant officers and RIDE. If testing happens at home, also keep progress reports or results and send regular reports to your superintendent.

Parent qualifications

None. RIDE’s guidance says there is no minimum education requirement and no teaching certificate needed for parents.

If your plan is denied

You can appeal the school committee’s decision to RIDE, which holds a hearing at no cost. The law sets no appeal deadline. RIDE Legal Office: 401-222-8979.

Textbooks

Your district must lend core textbooks (math, science, modern foreign languages, English language arts, history and social studies) from the State Approved Textbook List, including e-books. (RIDE guidance)