The state says. •The home school law asks for a notice and tests.•None of its rules sets a number of days or hours for a parent.•A private teacher is different.•That teacher teaches as long as the public schools do.

You do. •Pick your own days and hours.•The notice does not ask for a schedule.

The state says. •There is one home school law.•A parent or legal guardian may teach the child at home.•Or a private teacher may teach the child.•Both send the same notice and give the same tests.•A private teacher also teaches the usual school subjects.

You do. •Decide who teaches: you, or a private teacher.•The rest of the steps are the same.

Where. Step 1 of Do the steps

The state says. •Ages 6 to 18, until the child finishes 12th grade.•A child counts as 6 if the birthday is on or before September 1.

You do. •Check each child aged 6 to 18 who has not finished 12th grade.•Each one is in a school or has a home school notice on file.

The state says. •Yes, once.•Send a written notice to your Education Service District.•That is the regional school office for the district you live in.•Send it within 10 days of starting.•Taking your child out of school? Send it within 10 days of that.•Moving to a new Education Service District? Tell the new one within 10 days.

You do. 1.Send the notice, online or by mail.2.Wait for the written reply. The office has up to 90 days.3.Keep the reply.

Where. Step 1 of Do the steps

The state says. •The home school law lists no license or degree for the parent.•Low test scores can change that.•A score below the 15th percentile means one more test within a year.•Is that later score lower? Then the head of your Education Service District may act.•That person is called the superintendent.•The superintendent may require a licensed teacher to watch over the teaching.•The family picks and pays that teacher.

You do. •Nothing to gather to start.•Keep each test score. It shows how your child is doing.

The state says. •The home school law names no subjects for a parent.•The state says you may choose your own curriculum.•You do not have to follow the state's academic standards.

You do. •Choose what to teach.•The Academic Planner shows what colleges expect.

The state says. •Test in grades 3, 5, 8 and 10.•Use a test from the state's approved list.•A neutral, qualified person gives it.•Neutral means not related to the child by blood or marriage.•Finish by August 15.•A child who left a public school tests at least 18 months after leaving.•A score below the 15th percentile means one more test within a year.

You do. 1.Book a qualified, neutral tester for each test year.2.Keep the score at home.3.Send it only if the superintendent asks.

Where. Step 2 of Do the steps

The state says. •The home school law does not mention shots.•The shot law ties the shot record to attending a school, preschool or child care.•For a home school child, attending counts at five or more times a school year.•That includes school classes, school sports and school field trips.

You do. •Keep the shot record or exemption papers at home.•Hand them in before your child attends a school program five times in a year.