The state says. •The home school law lists three duties.•None of them sets a number of days or hours.•But the state's education office lists an hours rule on its home school form and its question page.•It says at least 1,140 hours of teaching a year.•Half-day kindergarten is at least 550 hours.•That number comes from the public school hours law.

You do. 1.The state's education office lists at least 1,140 hours of teaching a year. Half-day kindergarten is 550.2.The home school law itself does not set this number. Plan your year with it in mind.3.Keep a log of the hours you teach.•The law does not require the log. The state's education office encourages it.

The state says. •There is one way: a home school.•A parent or legal guardian runs it.•A child in a New Mexico online public school is not a home school student.•A child in an online school from another state is. File the notice for that child.

You do. •Nothing to choose.•File the state's notice to start.

The state says. •A child who is 5 years old on September 1 must be in school.•A home school counts.•School lasts until the child is at least 18.•It ends sooner if the child graduates or earns a high school equivalency credential, like a GED.•There is also a hardship exit for ages 16 to 18. It needs a parent's signed permission and a school leader's approval.

You do. •Count each child who is 5 or older on September 1.•File the notice for each one every year, until 18 or graduation.

The state says. •Yes, every year.•File within 30 days of starting your home school.•Then file again each year by August 1.•The yearly window opens June 1.•File online, or mail the state's paper form.•The paper form is only for families who can't file online.

You do. 1.Make an account in the state's online Home School System.2.Add each child, then click Notify for each one.3.Print or save the proof report for each child.•It has a 5-digit number.

Where. Step 1 of Do the steps

The state says. •The person teaching has at least a high school diploma.•Or the equal of one, like a GED.•A parent may hire someone to teach a subject.•That person needs the diploma too.

You do. •When you file, you sign that this is true.•The paper form does not ask for a copy of the diploma.•Keep a copy at home in case anyone asks.

Where. Step 1 of Do the steps

The state says. Teach at least these five:•Reading.•Language arts.•Math.•Social studies.•Science.•The state does not approve your curriculum.

You do. •Plan all five.•The Academic Planner shows what colleges expect.

The state says. •The state does not ask for a yearly test.•You may test your child if you want.

You do. •Nothing to send.•If you test, keep the score.•It helps if your child moves to a school later.

The state says. •Keep a shot record for each child.•Or keep an approved waiver instead.•A waiver is a paper that lets a child skip a shot.•The waiver is the health department's Form 454, once it is approved.•The law says to keep the record. It does not say to send it in.

You do. 1.Put the shot record or the approved waiver in your home school folder.2.A waiver lasts up to 12 months. Ask for a new one before it ends.

Where. Immunizations