The state says. •The home instruction law asks for three things.•A notice, a teacher option and a yearly check of progress.•None of them sets a number of days or hours.•The main school attendance law talks about public school days and hours.•A state home school group says it is not clear that covers home instruction.•The private school route does follow public school days and hours.

You do. 1.Set a school schedule that fits your family.2.Count your days in the app if you want a record.

The state says. •Virginia has four ways to teach a child at home.1.Home instruction. You send a notice each year.2.A religious exemption. Your school board excuses your child from school for sincere religious belief.3.A tutor. The tutor has the teacher qualifications the state sets. The superintendent approves the tutor.4.A private school. It teaches on the public school schedule.•This roadmap walks home instruction.

You do. 1.Pick home instruction, unless another way fits better.2.Want the religious exemption? Ask your school board. Do not ask the superintendent.

Where. Step 1 of Do the steps

The state says. •Ages 5 to 18.•It starts if your child turns 5 on or before September 30.•It ends on the 18th birthday.•A child under 6 on September 30 can wait one year.•You tell the school board the child is not ready.

You do. 1.Mark each child who is 5 by September 30 and not yet 18.2.Child not ready at 5? Tell your school board you will wait a year.

The state says. •Yes, every year.•Send a notice to your division superintendent by August 15.•That is the head of your local school district.•List the subjects for the coming year.•Add proof that you meet one teacher option.•Starting late, or moving in? Send it as soon as you can.•Then meet the rest of the rules within 30 days.

You do. 1.Fill out the state's sample form, or write your own letter.2.Attach your subject list and your proof.3.Send it to your superintendent, not to the state.4.Keep a copy.

Where. Step 1 of Do the steps

The state says. You meet one of four options:1.You have a high school diploma or higher.2.You have the teacher qualifications the state Board of Education sets.3.You give your child a course of study. It can come by mail, online or another way.4.You show you can give your child an adequate education. That means good enough.

You do. 1.Pick the option that fits you.2.Mark it on your notice.3.Attach proof.•For option 1, a copy of your diploma works.•For option 2, a copy of your teaching license works.•For option 3 with a course by mail or online, send proof you signed up.•For option 4, write why you can teach your child. Ask your school district what it wants.

Where. Step 1 of Do the steps

The state says. •The law does not name subjects you must teach.•You list the subjects you plan to teach in the coming year.•That list goes with your notice.

You do. 1.Choose your subjects.2.Write them on your notice.•The Academic Planner shows what colleges expect.

The state says. •Yes, every year, once your child is 6 by September 30.By August 1, send your superintendent one kind of proof:•A national test score in or above the 4th stanine. A stanine is a score band from 1 to 9.•Or a like score on the ACT, SAT or PSAT.•Or an evaluation the superintendent accepts.•A letter from a licensed teacher can count.•So can a letter from someone with a master's degree in a school subject.•So can a report card from a college or a home study school.•No proof that meets this rule? Your program may go on probation for one year.•Then you send a plan to fix the gap.

You do. 1.Pick the kind of proof that fits your child.2.Test in the spring if you can. That leaves time to try another kind.3.Send it to your superintendent by August 1.4.Keep a copy.

The state says. •Yes. A child taught at home follows the same shot law as a child in school.•Your superintendent may ask for proof of shots.•Or you can hand in an exemption instead.•An exemption is a paper that lets a child skip a shot.•The religious one is a state form signed in front of a notary.•The medical one comes from a doctor, an advanced practice nurse or the health department.

You do. 1.Keep each child's shot record in your folder.2.Using an exemption? Hand it to your superintendent's office.3.Keep a copy.

Where. Immunizations