The state says. •Teach for about as long as public school does.•Public schools must teach at least 1,080 hours a year.•That is about 5.5 hours a day for 180 days.•Your calendar does not have to match theirs.

You do. •Write down the days or hours you teach.•The law says this record goes back to your school committee.

The state says. •There is one legal way.•The school committee approves home teaching.•That is the group that runs the schools where your child lives.•Rhode Island does not list a separate umbrella or private school option for it.

You do. •Work with your local school committee.•There is no other state program to pick.

The state says. •School is required from age 6 to 18.•It covers a child who turns 6 on or before September 1.•It also covers a child in kindergarten.•It lasts until the 18th birthday.

You do. •No action here.•This just shows the school ages the law covers.

The state says. •Yes. Give your school committee a home teaching plan before you start.•The plan shows the subjects you must teach.•It shows you will teach about as long as public school.•It also shows how you and the committee will check progress.•A letter to your school district office can start this.•Ask your district for its steps.

You do. 1.Give your plan to your local school committee, not the state.2.Get it approved before you start teaching for the year.

Where. Step 1 of Do the steps

The state says. •None.•You do not need a teaching license.•The state only asks that your teaching be "thorough and efficient."

You do. •Nothing to do here.•You need no license to teach your child.

The state says. •The law names seven subjects.•You teach them in English.•They are reading, writing, geography and arithmetic (math).•They are also US history and Rhode Island history.•The last one is the basics of American government.•The state education office adds civics, health and physical education (PE).

You do. •Make a full school plan in the Academic Planner.•Build it around these required subjects.

The state says. •The state names no test.•You and your school committee agree on how to check progress.•This can include tests at set times.•Send regular reports to your superintendent.•That is the head of your school district.•Or send them to the person your district names.

You do. 1.Agree with your school committee on how to check progress.2.Keep the records it makes, like reports or test scores.

Where. Step 2 of Do the steps

The state says. •The shot rule kicks in when a child starts daycare, preschool, school or college.•The home teaching law does not mention shots.

You do. •Keep your child's shot or exemption records at home.•An exemption is a form that excuses a child from shots.•You may need these if you later join a school program, sports or a class.