The state says. •This guide walks the church school way.•None of the church school rules sets a number of days or hours.•The church school's principal teacher keeps an attendance register.•It shows who is enrolled and each absence of half a day or more.•A private tutor must teach 3 hours a day, 140 days a year, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

You do. 1.Ask the church school how it keeps its attendance register.2.You can keep your own record of the days you teach, too.

The state says. •Alabama has no separate homeschool law.There are three ways:•A church school.•A private school.•A private tutor with an Alabama teaching certificate.•Your home can be where a church school or private school student learns.

You do. •Pick one way before you start.•The steps walk the church school way.

Where. Step 1 of Do the steps

The state says. •Ages 6 to 17.•A child must go to a public, private or church school, or have a private tutor.•A parent, legal custodian or guardian may wait until age 7.•To wait, tell the local board of education in writing.

You do. •Make sure each child aged 6 to 17 is in one of the three ways.•For a 6 year old, you may wait until age 7 by telling the local board of education in writing.

The state says. •Yes, for a church school.•You file a church school enrollment form.•It goes to your local public school superintendent.•That is the head of your local public schools.•The form comes from the superintendent's office, or someone that office names.•Your church school may help you get it.•The church school's administrator signs it too.•The law does not say to file it again each year.

You do. 1.Enroll your child in a church school.2.Tell the church school to report it if your child ever stops attending.3.Get the form from the superintendent's office, or ask your church school to help you get it.4.Sign it, and have the church school's administrator sign it.5.Give it back to the superintendent's office.6.

The state says. •None of the church school rules sets a teacher qualification.•The state does not license or oversee church schools or homeschooled students.•A church school may set its own rule.•A private tutor must hold an Alabama teaching certificate.

You do. •Ask the church school if it has a teacher rule.•If it does, follow it.

Where. Step 1 of Do the steps

The state says. •None of the church school rules names subjects you must teach.•A private tutor must teach the subjects public schools teach.•A private school must teach physical education, as the state lays it out.

You do. •Ask the church school if it sets subjects.•The Academic Planner shows what colleges expect.

The state says. •None of the laws for the three ways asks for a test.•A church school may have its own rule.

You do. •Ask the church school if it gives tests.•If you test, you can keep the result at home.

The state says. •The church school rules do not mention shots.•The school shot law covers public and private schools.•It does not name church schools.•No state source settles if it reaches a church school.•A private school must ask for the Blue Card or an exemption.•The Blue Card is the state's shot record.

You do. 1.Ask the church school in writing if it wants the Blue Card.2.Keep the answer, and the shot record or exemption, at home.