Below is a summary of Vermont Homeschool Laws to help you ensure your homeschool is compliant.
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Note: The information below is not to be considered legal advice. I’m a homeschool mom with an interest in helping you, not a lawyer. I strongly recommend that you contact your state education department if you have questions specific to your circumstances.
Homeschool
Vermont has several requirements including notification, developing a Minimum Course of Study (MCOS), annual assessments, and required subjects. It’s quite a bit. Let’s dig in!
Can I Teach?
There is no requirement for you to meet in order to teach.
Do I Have to Notify the State?
Yes. You must submit an annual enrollment notice no later than August 1st for each child you’re homeschooling. Your first year of homeschooling, you must submit Form B, but not for later years.
The Vermont Agency of Education has an online enrollment packet available to simplify the process a bit. You can fill out the forms there or upload scanned paper forms as well.
If you’re old school, you can print out, complete, and mail the paper forms instead.
Minimum Course of Study (MCOS)
You must complete an MCOS each year unless you have successfully completed 2 consecutive years homeschooling with any of your children and request an exemption.
However, if your child is 12 years old, and MCOS is required.
The MCOS is a summary of specific skills and topics you’ll be teaching your child. This would include things like subjects taught, handwriting, and other parts of your curriculum. If you’re at a bit of a loss, Vermont provides MCOS examples to help you.
Required Subjects
Vermont’s required subjects include the following for all students:
- Reading and Writing
- Math
- Citizenship, History, and Government in Vermont and the United States
- Literature
- Science
If your child is under the age of 13 at the time of enrollment, you must also teach:
- Physical Education
- Health Education (including the effects of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs on the human system and society
- Fine Arts
Annual Assessments
You’re required to submit an annual assessment, typically with your re-enrollment forms for the following year. You have four options for the assessments:
- Parent Report and Student Portfolio: You create a summary of your child’s work and progress in each subject area in your MCOS. You must include a portfolio of your child’s work including 4 to 6 portfolio pieces. Only 1 portfolio piece is necessary for Fine Arts, Physical Education, and Health.
- Teacher End of Year Assessment: A certified teacher submits a form rendering their opinion as to whether or not your child has made adequate progress in each area. The form can be found here.
- Standardized Tests: Your child may take a standardized test that can act as partial evidence of progress in the subjects tested. The list of accepted tests includes:
- Iowa Assessments
- Stanford 10
- TerraNova 3 IS CAT/6
- Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement
- Woodcock Johnson Tests of Achievement
- Wechsler Individual Achievement Test
- Key Math 3
- Gray Oral Reading Tests
- Tests of Written Language
- ACT
- SAT
- GED
- Teacher Advisory Service Report or Report Card from a Purchased Curriculum/Online Academy: Grades or report cards from an online course or school may be submitted as evidence for the subjects covered.
How Many Days a Year do I Have to Teach?
There is no requirement for the number of school days or hours. For reference, Vermont’s public school year is 175 days.
I strongly recommend you keep attendance in case it’s needed for something like college applications.
Compulsory Attendance Age
The compulsory attendance age is the age range in which your child must be attending school of some type.
In Vermont, your child must attend school from ages 6 to 16 years old.
Public School Sports
The Vermont Principal’s Association allows homeschoolers to participate in its activities as long as they meet normal eligibility requirements and you notify the superintendent of your child’s intent to participate.
Contact your local school for more information.
Wrapping Up
Hopefully this summary of Vermont Homeschool Laws gets you started on your homeschool journey with your family!
If you’re just getting started, you’re probably feeling a bit overwhelmed.
The Home Learning Kit can help!
It’s a package of handy learning tools to make your homeschool more fun and engaging, curated by yours truly. Check it out!
