Legal/Homeschool Laws
Laws that regulate home education vary from state to state. It is important to understand the legal requirements in your state and to be aware of legislative and other legal issues that affect homeschoolers in your community. We've compiled resources that will help you become informed. Although homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, and the vast majority of homeschoolers face no problems, you may find that you need legal assistance at some point in your homeschooling career. We've compiled a list of resources to help you find the support you need. And if you'd like to become more involved in working towards homeschooling freedoms, we discuss some of the issues facing homeschoolers that we hope you find compelling.
State Laws
Read the laws regulating home education in New Mexico and browse through the case law and legal opinions relating to those laws, along with government publications relating to homeschooling and summaries of the laws.
Forms
Which forms do you need to fill out? Where can you get them? Here is a list of useful forms for homeschooling in New Mexico.
Legal Support
If you need legal information or have run into a legal situation regarding your decision to homeschool, these resources will be helpful.
Lobbying Groups
A listing of local and national lobbying groups and information on how you can become involved in the political process to ensure the freedom to homeschool is protected.
Attorneys
When searching for an attorney, it is helpful to know whether he or she has experience working with homeschoolers and is interested in protecting the right to homeschool.
Legal Issues
Is homeschooling legal? Which laws pertain to homeschoolers and which don't? How do homeschoolers protect their rights to freely educate their children and to preserve their privacy?
Government Resources
A listing of local and state government resources, including your state's Department of Education, school districts, and Senate and House of Representative information.
What's Popular
Colorado Home School Laws
The Home School Legal Defense Association provides a brief summary of the homeschooling laws in Colorado. Includes a link to a legal analysis of laws relating to homeschooling in Colorado.
Home Schools Overview
An overview of the the legal aspects of homeschooling in New Mexico, provided by the New Mexico Public Education Department.
22-1-2.1. Home school; requirements.
Any person operating or intending to operate a home school shall:
A. within thirty days of its establishment, notify the state superintendent of the establishment of a home school within thirty days of its establishment and notify the state superintendent in writing on or before April 1 of each subsequent year of operation of the school district from which the home school is drawing students;
B. maintain records of student disease immunization or a waiver of that requirement; and
C...
Colorado Statute 22-33-104.5
The general assembly hereby declares that it is the primary right and obligation of the parent to choose the proper education and training for children under his care and supervision. It is recognized that home-based education is a legitimate alternative to classroom attendance for the instruction of children and that any regulation of nonpublic home-based educational programs should be sufficiently flexible to accommodate a variety of circumstances. The general assembly further declares that no...
Procedures Manual for Home School Operators in New Mexico (pdf)
Issued by the New Mexico State Department of Education, this Procedures Manual for Home School Operators in New Mexico is intended to provide parents, legal guardians, and local school district officials direction for implementing the legislation regulating home education. This link goes to a pdf file, requiring Adobe Reader to view.
Definition of Homeschooling in New Mexico
A summary of the laws regulating home education in New Mexico, provided by Homeschooling PACT, Parents and Children Together.
Home School Procedures for Public School Districts
A list of requirement for public school districts in relations to homeschoolers in their district.
Procedures Manual for Home School Operators in New Mexico (Word Document)
Issued by the New Mexico State Department of Education, this Procedures Manual for Home School Operators in New Mexico is intended to provide parents, legal guardians, and local school district officials direction for implementing the legislation regulating home education. This link goes to a Word file, requiring MS Word to view.
New Mexico Legislature
Find your legislator, watch current bills, research state statutes, and more.
Colorado Department of Education Home School Information
Colorado Department of Education has compiled information regarding home education in the state. Includes information about getting started homeschooling, subjects to teach, attendance requirements, recordkeeping, assessment and evaluations, and resources.
New Mexico Home School Laws from HSLDA
The Home School Legal Defense Association provides a brief summary of the homeschooling laws in New Mexico. Includes a link to a legal analysis of laws relating to homeschooling in New Mexico.
Colorado Statute 25-4-902
Details of the state of Colorado requirements for immunizations.
Colorado Statutes - Complete Text
Online access to complete text of Colorado statutes. Those pertaining to home education include: 22-33-104 (Compulsory school attendance); 22-33-104.5 (Home-based education - legislative declaration - definitions - guidelines); 22-7-409, 1.2-d-III (Assessments); and 22-32-116.5 (Extracurricular and interscholastic activities).
Notification of Establishment of a Home School - Online Notification
This form must be completed with all the required information and submitted to the state superintendent within thirty days of the establishment of a home school and by April 1st of each subsequent year.
Colorado Statute 22-33-104
Compulsory school attendance in the state of Colorado.
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Featured Resources
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