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
How to Comply with Colorado's Homeschool Law
In Colorado, there are three options under which you can legally homeschool. You are free to choose the option that best meets your family’s needs. These options include homeschooling under Colorado's homeschool statute, homeschooling with an independent school, and homeschooling with a certified teacher.
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.
CHEC Homeschool Guidebook for Colorado
Need a map for your homeschooling journey in Colorado? This classic go-to compendium used by countless families in Colorado is now completely updated and streamlined for you. The CHEC Homeschool Guidebook will give you tons of practical information, worksheets, resource lists, scriptural encouragement, and more – just what you need to homeschool in Colorado with confidence.
Special Education Provisions for Colorado: Regulations and Resources for Your Special Needs Homeschool
If you are homeschooling a child with special needs, you need to follow your state’s homeschool regulations. There are no additional requirements for homeschooling children with special needs.
The Importance of Recordkeeping in Colorado: Best Practices for What Records to Keep
Good records equip your student with proof of education for continuing their education, entering the military, or passing an employer’s background check. It may also prove valuable if there are ever any questions about your homeschool.
CAPE Action
CAPE Action monitors federal legislative proposals with the help of the National Center for Home Education. Communication with New Mexico legislators enables them to keep current with state issues. They maintain an e-mail network to “get the word out” quickly when lobbying is necessary. CAPE encourages home school families to be active, involved and praying citizens.
22-12-2. Compulsory school attendance; responsibility.
A. Any qualified student and any person who because of his age is eligible to become a qualified student as defined by the Public School Finance Act [Chapter 22, Article 8 NMSA 1978] until attaining the age of majority shall attend a public school, a private school, a home school or a state institution ...
Colorado Statute 22-33-104
Compulsory school attendance in the state of Colorado.
New Mexico Home School Achievement Test Guidelines
I. Each School District is Responsible for the Following:
A. MUST arrange a place and time for testing home school students. The location may be outside the school building. The time must be within the state testing timeframe. Notification of the time and place must be provided to all home school operators by January 30.
B. MUST allow trained home school operators to be test administrators for home school students. When a home school operator(s) is unavailable or not interested, trained s...
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.
24-5-1. Immunization regulations.
The public health division of the department of health shall, after consultation with the state board of education, promulgate rules and regulations governing the immunization against diseases deemed to be dangerous to the public health, to be required of children attending public, private, home or parochial schools in the state ...
24-5-3. Exemption from immunization.
A. Any minor child through his parent or guardian may file with the health authority charged with the duty of enforcing the immunization laws:
(1) a certificate of a duly licensed physician stating that the physical condition of the child is such that immunization would seriously endanger the life or health of the child; or
(2) affidavits or written affirmation from an officer of a recognized religious denomination that such child's parents or guardians are bona fide members of a...
Procedures Manual for Home School Operators in New Mexico (html)
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 an html file.
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.
Home Schools Overview
An overview of the the legal aspects of homeschooling in New Mexico, provided by the New Mexico Public Education Department.
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Featured Resources
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Perrine's Sound & Sense: An Introduction to Poetry
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They're Your Kids: An Inspirational Journey from Self-Doubter to Home School Advocate
For many people, their schooling was uncomfortable, tedious, and sometimes a waste of time and energy. This book offers the idea that the public school system is tragically flawed and that we are able to do better for our own children. Sam Sorbo, mom...