American Home Schools

Alaska does not have compulsory attendance statutes if the child is "being educated in the child's home by a parent or legal guardian." [Sec. 14.30.010 (12)] This exemption to the Compulsory Education Law allows children to be homeschooled by a parent or guardian, without any state-mandated notification or testing.

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Summary:

Compulsory Attendance Ages: "between 7 and 16." A child who is six years old and enrolled in the first grade in public school is subject to the compulsory attendance law. A parent may withdraw such a child from public school within 60 days of enrollment, and the child will not be subject to the compulsory attendance law until age seven. Alaska Statutes § 14.30.010.
Required Days of Instruction: None.
Required Subjects: None.

Home School Statute:

Option 1. Alaska Stat. § 14.30.010(b)(12). If "the child is being educated in the child's home by a parent or legal guardian," the child is exempt from compulsory attendance. Under this option, there are no requirements to notify, seek approval, test, file forms, or have any teacher qualifications. The burden is on the state to prove that parents are not teaching their children.
 

Alternative Statutes:

Option 2. Alaska Stat. § 14.30.010(b)(1)(B). Tutoring by a certified teacher.
Option 3. Alaska Stat. § 14.30.010(b)(10). Enrollment in "a full time program of correspondence study approved by the department."
Option 4. Alaska Stat. § 14.30.010(b)(11). The child "is equally well-served by an educational experience approved by the school board," after a written request for excuse from school attendance.
Option 5. A home school may qualify as a "religious or other private school" as long as it meets the following requirements:

  1. the child's parent must file an annual notice of enrollment (Private School Enrollment Reporting Form) with the local superintendent by the first day of public school. Alaska Stat. § 14.45.110(a);
  2. before October 15 each year, file the "Private and Denominational Schools Enrollment Report" and "School Calendar" forms with the Department of Education;
  3. the school must maintain monthly attendance records showing 180 days of school attendance each year. Alaska Stat. § 14.45.110(b);
  4. The definition of a private school is a school "that does not receive direct state or federal funding." Alaska Stat. § 14.45.200(1);
  5. The definition of a religious school is a "private school operated by a church or other religious organization that does not receive direct state or federal funding." Alaska Stat. § 14.45.200(2);
  6. maintain and certify to department of education that records on immunization, courses, standardized testing, academic achievement, and physical exams are kept. Alaska Stat. § 14.45.130;
  7. according to the Alaska Department of Education's Guide for Establishing a Private or Religious School, home schools are exempt from fire, safety, and asbestos regulations and developing a corporal punishment policy.
  8. If a school is not operated in compliance with this section, it is not exempt from other requirements and must make monthly attendance reports and annual reports to the Commissioner of Education. Alaska Stat. § 14.45.030

Teacher Qualifications: None.

Certification is required only if parents use a private tutor. Alaska Stat. § 14.30.010 (b)(1)(B) (tutors must be certified); § 14.20.020 (certification requirements).

Standardized Tests: None. However, if operating as a religious or other private school (option 5), testing is only required for fourth, sixth, and eighth grades. Standardized test results must be made available to the Department of Education upon request. The parent may select any standardized achievement test. See Guide. Alaska Stat. § 14.45.120(a).