Frequently Asked Questions
Notification of Intent to Homeschool
Upon the commencement of homeschooling for each child a Notice of Intent to Homeschool must be filed with the Superintendent of the school district in which the child lives.
- The notification is submitted either when the child turns seven years of age or within 10 days of discontinuing another educational option (you must officially withdraw your child from the public school he/she is enrolled in to avoid truancy issues).
- You do not have to file again unless the child or parent’s last name or address changes in which case you must file within 30 days of the change.
- If you are a new resident in Nevada you must file within thirty days of establishing residence.
- There is no longer a requirement to file annually when you homeschool your child in subsequent consecutive years.
Notice of Intent to Homeschool can be found: http://nevadahomeschoolnetwork.com/WP/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Notification-of-Intent.NHN-2016.final_.pdf
Nevada law (NRS 392.070) provides for a waiver of the compulsory attendance law if the parent submits a Notification of Intent to the Superintendent of the school district in which the child lives.
- The notice must be prepared in accordance with the requirements set forth in NRS 388D.010-388D.070. The simple, one page Notification of Intent developed by NHN or the form by the Nevada Department of Education distributed by your school district, meet these requirements when completed and submitted.
- Your own written documentation other than one of these forms that meets the requirements set forth in NRS 388D.020 & 388D.050 may be submitted to the district.
- Information in a Notice of Intent to Homeschool in Nevada must include: • The full name, age, and gender of the child, • The name and address of the parent filing the notice, • A signed statement of responsibility, • An educational plan for the age and skill level of the child, • The name of the public school most recently attended by the child, if applicable, and • A privacy statement, if desired.
- Click here for more information on submitting the NOI to Homeschool
By law, you may mail or hand-deliver your intent form to the local superintendent of schools district office. The local superintendent may have designated another office or location within the district for filing of the Notice of Intent to Homeschool which you may comply with if you choose, however, you are not obligated to do so. Many times the former “homeschool offices” (under old statutes no longer applicable) were located somewhere other than the district office making it difficult for the parent to file their intent forms expediently. That is why the “superintendent of schools” is stipulated in the new law (as of 2007). If you mail the intent form to your school district we recommend you do so by certified mail with a return receipt request. The district will mail you a written acknowledgment as proof of compliance with Nevada’s compulsory attendance laws. If you hand-deliver your intent form the district is required to provide a written acknowledgment upon receipt of your completed form. If you are removing your child from the public school or a private school mid-year you must submit the intent form to the superintendent of schools district office within 10 days of formally withdrawing your child from public or private school. NOTE: Parents MUST sign a form or provide a letter to the public school the child is enrolled in before beginning to homeschool. If you decide to homeschool during the summer before the start of the next school year, you generally do not have to officially withdraw your child from public school. However, it is a good idea to check with your local school district office, when you submit the NOI to Homeschool, to ensure your child is not included on their roles after having been in public school. Following this procedure will ensure that your child will not run the risk of being truant (NRS 392.130 to NRS 392.160). You may withdraw your child anytime, any day of the year, and follow the appropriate guidelines for Notifying as listed above. Some districts have policies in place about not withdrawing during the last 3 weeks of school and then re-enrolling elsewhere, but this is not applicable when filing to homeschool. For more information on filing the NOI to Homeschool, along with the Education Plan for one year, as well as information on participating in public school classes, activities, or sports please visit our NOTICE OF INTENT page.
You cannot enroll or sign up your child to homeschool with NHN or any other homeschool "support" group. Rather, you as the parent, take full legal responsibility for the education of your own child and file a Notification of Intent to Homeschool with the school district in which the child lives when he/she turns age 7, moves into this state, or is withdrawn from public or private school. You are then free to determine the education needs of your child, choose curriculum, tutors, classes, groups, or whatever is best, to meet those educational needs. We believe educating our children at home to be a natural extension of parenting, not some monumental task but something we do need to educate ourselves about to do
Legal Standing
NOTE: New numbering of laws affecting NV Homeschooling went into effect June of 2016. The old homeschool laws NRS 392.700 and NRS 392.705 are now NRS 388D.010-070. While the numbering may have changed, the wording contained in the homeschool laws has remained EXACTLY the same as the 2007 Homeschool Freedom Bill (SB 404). The following Nevada Revised Statutes apply to compulsory attendance in public school, exemption from compulsory attendance, a definition of homeschooling and requirements of the local school district. NRS 392.040 Attendance required for child between 7 and 18 years of age; minimum age required for kindergarten and first grade; waiver from attendance available for child 6 years of age; developmental screening test required to determine placement of certain children. 1. Except as otherwise provided by law, each parent, custodial parent, guardian or other person in the State of Nevada having control or charge of any child between the ages of 7 and 18 years shall send the child to a public school during all the time the public school is in session in the school district in which the child resides unless the child has graduated from high school.
NRS 392.070 Attendance excused for children in private school, homeschooled children and opt-in children. [Parts of this section were replaced in revision in 2015 by NRS 392.072 and 392.074.]
Attendance of a child required by the provisions of NRS 392.040 must be excused when:
1. The child is enrolled in a private school pursuant to chapter 394 of NRS;
2. A parent of the child chooses to provide education to the child and files a notice of intent to homeschool the child with the superintendent of schools of the school district in which the child resides in accordance with NRS 388D.020; or
3. The child is an opt-in child and notice of such has been provided to the school district in which the child resides or the charter school in which the child was previously enrolled, as applicable, in accordance with NRS 388D.110.
[366:32:1956] — (NRS A 1999, 3316; 2003, 2961; 2005, 2825; 2007, 3035; 2015, 1844)
NRS 388D.010 “Parent” defined. As used in NRS 388D.010 to 388D.060, inclusive, “parent” means the parent, custodial parent, legal guardian or other person in this State who has control or charge of a child and the legal right to direct the education of the child.
(Added to NRS by 2007, 3032; A 2011, 3063; 2013, 3283; 2015, 2103)—(Substituted in revision for part of NRS 392.700)
NRS 388D.020 Notice of intent to homeschool; acknowledgement of notification.
1. If the parent of a child who is subject to compulsory attendance wishes to homeschool the child, the parent must file with the superintendent of schools of the school district in which the child resides a written notice of intent to homeschool the child. The Department shall develop a standard form for the notice of intent to homeschool. The form must not require any information or assurances that are not otherwise required by this section or other specific statute. The board of trustees of each school district shall, in a timely manner, make only the form developed by the Department available to parents who wish to homeschool their child.
2. The notice of intent to homeschool must be filed before beginning to homeschool the child or:
(a) Not later than 10 days after the child has been formally withdrawn from enrollment in public school; or
(b) Not later than 30 days after establishing residency in this State.
3. The purpose of the notice of intent to homeschool is to inform the school district in which the child resides that the child is exempt from the requirement of compulsory attendance.
4. If the name or address of the parent or child as indicated on a notice of intent to homeschool changes, the parent must, not later than 30 days after the change, file a new notice of intent to homeschool with the superintendent of schools of the school district in which the child resides.
5. A notice of intent to homeschool must include only the following:
(a) The full name, age and gender of the child;
(b) The name and address of each parent filing the notice of intent to homeschool;
(c) A statement signed and dated by each such parent declaring that the parent has control or charge of the child and the legal right to direct the education of the child, and assumes full responsibility for the education of the child while the child is being homeschooled;
(d) An educational plan for the child that is prepared pursuant to NRS 388D.050;
(e) If applicable, the name of the public school in this State which the child most recently attended; and
(f) An optional statement that the parent may sign which provides:
I expressly prohibit the release of any information contained in this document, including, without limitation, directory information as defined in 20 U.S.C. § 1232g(a)(5)(A), without my prior written consent.
6. Each superintendent of schools of a school district shall accept notice of intent to homeschool that is filed with the superintendent pursuant to this section and meets the requirements of subsection 5, and shall not require or request any additional information or assurances from the parent who filed the notice.
7. The school district shall provide to a parent who files a notice a written acknowledgment which clearly indicates that the parent has provided notification required by law and that the child is being homeschooled. The written acknowledgment shall be deemed proof of compliance with Nevada’s compulsory school attendance law. The school district shall retain a copy of the written acknowledgment for not less than 15 years. The written acknowledgment may be retained in electronic format.
(Added to NRS by 2007, 3032; A 2011, 3063; 2013, 3283; 2015, 2103)—(Substituted in revision for part of NRS 392.700)
NRS 388D.030 Release of child’s records. The superintendent of schools of a school district shall process a written request for a copy of the records of the school district, or any information contained therein, relating to a child who is being or has been homeschooled not later than 5 days after receiving the request. The superintendent of schools may only release such records or information:
1. To a person or entity specified by the parent of the child, or by the child if the child is at least 18 years of age, upon suitable proof of identity of the parent or child; or
2. If required by specific statute.
(Added to NRS by 2007, 3032; A 2011, 3063; 2013, 3283; 2015, 2103)—(Substituted in revision for part of NRS 392.700)
NRS 388D.040 Admittance or entrance to school; participation in examinations.
1. If a child who is or was homeschooled seeks admittance or entrance to any school in this State, the school may use only commonly used practices in determining the academic ability, placement or eligibility of the child. If the child enrolls in a charter school, the charter school shall, to the extent practicable, notify the board of trustees of the school district in which the child resides of the child’s enrollment in the charter school. Regardless of whether the charter school provides such notification to the board of trustees, the charter school may count the child who is enrolled for the purposes of the calculation of basic support pursuant to NRS 387.1223. A homeschooled child seeking admittance to public high school must comply with NRS 392.033.
2. A school or organization shall not discriminate in any manner against a child who is or was homeschooled.
3. Each school district shall allow homeschooled children to participate in all college entrance examinations offered in this State, including, without limitation, the SAT, the ACT, the Preliminary SAT and the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Each school district shall ensure that the homeschooled children who reside in the school district have adequate notice of the availability of information concerning such examinations on the Internet website of the school district maintained pursuant to NRS 390.015.
(Added to NRS by 2007, 3032; A 2011, 3063; 2013, 3283; 2015, 2103)—(Substituted in revision for part of NRS 392.700)
NRS 388D.050 Educational plan.
1. The parent of a child who is being homeschooled shall prepare an educational plan of instruction for the child in the subject areas of English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies, including history, geography, economics and government, as appropriate for the age and level of skill of the child as determined by the parent.
2. The educational plan must be included in the notice of intent to homeschool filed pursuant to NRS 388D.020. If the educational plan contains the requirements of NRS 388D.020, the educational plan must not be used in any manner as a basis for denial of a notice of intent to homeschool that is otherwise complete. The parent must be prepared to present the educational plan of instruction and proof of the identity of the child to a court of law if required by the court.
3. This section does not require a parent to ensure that each subject area is taught each year that the child is homeschooled.
(Added to NRS by 2007, 3032; A 2011, 3063; 2013, 3283; 2015, 2103)—(Substituted in revision for part of NRS 392.700)
NRS 388D.060 Discrimination prohibited. No regulation or policy of the State Board, any school district or any other governmental entity may infringe upon the right of a parent to educate his or her child based on religious preference unless it is:
1. Essential to further a compelling governmental interest; and
2. The least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest.
(Added to NRS by 2007, 3032; A 2011, 3063; 2013, 3283; 2015, 2103)—(Substituted in revision for part of NRS 392.700)
NRS 388D.070 Form for participation in programs and activities at public school or through Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association.
1. The Department shall develop a standard form for the notice of intent of a homeschooled child to participate in programs and activities. The board of trustees of each school district shall, in a timely manner, make only the form developed by the Department available to parents of homeschooled children.
2. The notice developed pursuant to subsection 1 must include the information required in the notice of intent to homeschool pursuant to NRS 388D.020, excluding the educational plan for the homeschooled child.
3. If a homeschooled child wishes to participate in classes, activities, programs, sports or interscholastic activities and events at a public school or through a school district, or through the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association, the parent of the child must file a current notice of intent to participate with the school district in which the child resides.
(Added to NRS by 2007, 3034)—(Substituted in revision for NRS 392.705)
NRS 392.072 Participation of homeschooled children and opt-in children in programs of special education and related services; regulations.
1. The board of trustees of each school district shall provide programs of special education and related services for homeschooled children. The programs of special education and related services required by this section must be made available:
(a) Only if a child would otherwise be eligible for participation in programs of special education and related services pursuant to NRS 388.417 to 388.469, inclusive, or NRS 388.5251 to 388.5267, inclusive;
(b) In the same manner that the board of trustees provides, as required by 20 U.S.C. § 1412, for the participation of pupils with disabilities who are enrolled in private schools within the school district voluntarily by their parents or legal guardians; and
(c) In accordance with the same requirements set forth in 20 U.S.C. § 1412 which relate to the participation of pupils with disabilities who are enrolled in private schools within the school district voluntarily by their parents or legal guardians.
2. The programs of special education and related services required by subsection 1 may be offered at a public school or another location that is appropriate.
3. The board of trustees of a school district may, before providing programs of special education and related services to a homeschooled child or opt-in child pursuant to subsection 1, require proof of the identity of the child, including, without limitation, the birth certificate of the child or other documentation sufficient to establish the identity of the child.
4. The Department shall adopt such regulations as are necessary for the boards of trustees of school districts to provide the programs of special education and related services required by subsection 1.
5. As used in this section, “related services” has the meaning ascribed to it in 20 U.S.C. § 1401.
[366:32:1956] — (NRS A 1999, 3316; 2003, 2961; 2005, 2825; 2007, 3035; 2015, 1844) — (Substituted in revision for part of NRS 392.070)
NRS 392.074 Participation of private school children, homeschooled children and opt-in children in classes and extracurricular activities.
1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 1 of NRS 392.072 for programs of special education and related services, upon the request of a parent or legal guardian of a child who is enrolled in a private school or a parent or legal guardian of a homeschooled child or opt-in child, the board of trustees of the school district in which the child resides shall authorize the child to participate in any classes and extracurricular activities, excluding sports, at a public school within the school district if:
(a) Space for the child in the class or extracurricular activity is available;
(b) The parent or legal guardian demonstrates to the satisfaction of the board of trustees that the child is qualified to participate in the class or extracurricular activity; and
(c) If the child is:
(1) A homeschooled child, a notice of intent of a homeschooled child to participate in programs and activities is filed for the child with the school district for the current school year pursuant to NRS 388D.070; or
(2) An opt-in child, a notice of intent of an opt-in child to participate in programs and activities is filed for the child with the school district for the current school year pursuant to NRS 388D.140.
Ê If the board of trustees of a school district authorizes a child to participate in a class or extracurricular activity, excluding sports, pursuant to this subsection, the board of trustees is not required to provide transportation for the child to attend the class or activity. A homeschooled child or opt-in child must be allowed to participate in interscholastic activities and events governed by the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association pursuant to chapter 385B of NRS and interscholastic activities and events, including sports, pursuant to subsection 3.
2. The board of trustees of a school district may revoke its approval for a pupil to participate in a class or extracurricular activity at a public school pursuant to subsection 1 if the board of trustees or the public school determines that the pupil has failed to comply with applicable statutes, or applicable rules and regulations of the board of trustees. If the board of trustees revokes its approval, neither the board of trustees nor the public school is liable for any damages relating to the denial of services to the pupil.
3. In addition to those interscholastic activities and events governed by the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association pursuant to chapter 385B of NRS, a homeschooled child or opt-in child must be allowed to participate in interscholastic activities and events, including sports, if a notice of intent of a homeschooled child or opt-in child to participate in programs and activities is filed for the child with the school district for the current school year pursuant to NRS 388D.070 or 388D.140, as applicable. A homeschooled child or opt-in child who participates in interscholastic activities and events at a public school pursuant to this subsection must participate within the school district of the child’s residence through the public school which the child is otherwise zoned to attend. Any rules or regulations that apply to pupils enrolled in public schools who participate in interscholastic activities and events, including sports, apply in the same manner to homeschooled children and opt-in children who participate in interscholastic activities and events, including, without limitation, provisions governing:
(a) Eligibility and qualifications for participation;
(b) Fees for participation;
(c) Insurance;
(d) Transportation;
(e) Requirements of physical examination;
(f) Responsibilities of participants;
(g) Schedules of events;
(h) Safety and welfare of participants;
(i) Eligibility for awards, trophies and medals;
(j) Conduct of behavior and performance of participants; and
(k) Disciplinary procedures.
4. If a homeschooled child or opt-in child participates in interscholastic activities and events pursuant to subsection 3:
(a) No challenge may be brought by the Association, a school district, a public school or a private school, a parent or guardian of a pupil enrolled in a public school or a private school, a pupil enrolled in a public school or a private school, or any other entity or person claiming that an interscholastic activity or event is invalid because the homeschooled child or opt-in child is allowed to participate.
(b) Neither the school district nor a public school may prescribe any regulations, rules, policies, procedures or requirements governing the eligibility or participation of the homeschooled child or opt-in child that are more restrictive than the provisions governing the eligibility and participation of pupils enrolled in public schools.
5. The board of trustees of a school district:
(a) May, before authorizing a homeschooled child or opt-in child to participate in a class or extracurricular activity, excluding sports, pursuant to subsection 1, require proof of the identity of the child, including, without limitation, the birth certificate of the child or other documentation sufficient to establish the identity of the child.
(b) Shall, before allowing a homeschooled child or opt-in child to participate in interscholastic activities and events governed by the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association pursuant to chapter 385B of NRS and interscholastic activities and events pursuant to subsection 3, require proof of the identity of the child, including, without limitation, the birth certificate of the child or other documentation sufficient to establish the identity of the child.
[366:32:1956] — (NRS A 1999, 3316; 2003, 2961; 2005, 2825; 2007, 3035; 2015, 1844) — (Substituted in revision for part of NRS 392.070)
NRS 385.007 Definitions. [Effective July 1, 2016.] As used in this title, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. “Achievement charter school” means a public school operated by a charter management organization, as defined in NRS 388B.020, an educational management organization, as defined in NRS 388B.030, or other person pursuant to a contract with the Achievement School District pursuant to NRS 388B.210 and subject to the provisions of chapter 388B of NRS.
2. “Department” means the Department of Education.
3. “Homeschooled child” means a child who receives instruction at home and who is exempt from compulsory attendance pursuant to NRS 392.070, but does not include an opt-in child.
4. “Limited English proficient” has the meaning ascribed to it in 20 U.S.C. § 7801(25).
5. “Opt-in child” means a child for whom an education savings account has been established pursuant to NRS 353B.850, who is not enrolled full-time in a public or private school and who receives all or a portion of his or her instruction from a participating entity, as defined in NRS 353B.750.
6. “Public schools” means all kindergartens and elementary schools, junior high schools and middle schools, high schools, charter schools and any other schools, classes and educational programs which receive their support through public taxation and, except for charter schools, whose textbooks and courses of study are under the control of the State Board.
7. “State Board” means the State Board of Education.
8. “University school for profoundly gifted pupils” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 388C.040.
(Added to NRS by 1979, 1563; A 1997, 1840; 1999, 3289; 2003, 2958; 2003, 19th Special Session, 34; 2005, 2428; 2015, 1831, 3778, effective July 1, 2016)
No. After the successful passage of Senate Bill 404 during the 2007 Legislative Session homeschooling no longer falls under the jurisdiction of the State Board of Education and former regulation numbers NAC 392.011-392.065 were declared void. Homeschools now operate solely under the Nevada Revised Statutes as a separate educational alternative to compulsory attendance in a public school. Senate Bill 404 Sec. 9. The regulations adopted by the State Board of Education which are codified as NAC 392.011 to 392.065, inclusive, are hereby declared void. In preparing the supplements to the Nevada Administrative Code on or after July 1, 2007, the Legislative Counsel shall remove those regulations.
One cannot “have” their child homeschooled by someone else. NRS 385.007 #3 and NRS 392.070 #1b define homeschooling, and when combined: "Homeschooled child means a child who receives instruction at home... (when) A parent of the child chooses to provide education to the child..." The parent assumes full responsibility for the education of their child by signing the Notice of Intent to Homeschool, and must provide the education. Providing the education means the parent can do their own teaching, or use others (such as a tutor), or have the child take classes (such as at a homeschool co-op, a private or public school, a civic or community group, a private organization, etc), or use a correspondence or online course, or do whatever else the parent deems necessary. The parent, not another person, organization, or school, is the one who has direct managerial control of the child's education and is responsible for promoting the child "grade to grade" and graduating the child from their homeschool program. The parent is responsible for directing and maintaining all documentation of the child's educational experience such as report cards, portfolios, and/or transcripts. NRS 394.103 "Private schools" defined. "Private schools" means private elementary and secondary educational institutions. The term does not include a home in which instruction is provided to a child who is excused from compulsory attendance pursuant to subsection 1 of NRS 392.070. NRS 394.351 Unlawful acts. It is unlawful for any person, alone or in concert with others, to:
- Operate in this State an elementary or secondary educational institution not exempted from the provisions of the Private Elementary and Secondary Education Authorization Act, unless the institution has a currently valid license to operate.
- Offer, as or through an agent, enrollment or instruction in, or educational credentials from, an elementary or secondary educational institution not exempted from the provisions of the Private Elementary and Secondary Education Authorization Act, whether the institution is within or outside this State, unless the agent is a natural person and has a currently valid agent’s permit, except that the Board may adopt regulations to permit a person to disseminate legitimate public information without a permit.
- Instruct or educate, or offer to instruct or educate (including advertising or soliciting for such purpose), enroll or offer to enroll, or contract with any person for such purpose, or award any educational credential, or contract with any institution or party to perform any such act in this state, whether the person is located within or outside this state, unless such person complies with the minimum standards set forth in NRS 394.241 and the regulations adopted by the Board.
- Use the terms “kindergarten,” “elementary,” “middle school,” “junior high school,” “high school” or “secondary” without authorization to do so from the Superintendent in accordance with regulations of the Board.
- Grant, or offer to grant, educational credentials, without a currently valid license to operate.
(Added to NRS by 1975, 1503; A 1979, 1627)
NRS 385.007 Definitions. [Effective July 1, 2016.] As used in this title, unless the context otherwise requires:
3. “Homeschooled child” means a child who receives instruction at home and who is exempt from compulsory attendance pursuant to NRS 392.070, but does not include an opt-in child.
NRS 392.070 (Attendance at public school must be excused when) (#1b) "A parent of the child chooses to provide education to the child and files a Notice of Intent to Homeschool the child..." NRS 388D.020 [5c] by signing he/she "…assumes full responsibility for the education of the child while the child is being homeschooled."
- The NOI to Homeschool is filed only once with the public school superintendent in the school district where the child lives (unless you move or change education options), NRS 388D.020 Subsection 1, 2 & 4.
- The NOI serves only to inform the school district that the child is exempt from enrollment in the public school, NRS 388D.020, Subsection 3.
- Very minimal information is required to be submitted and any information included is, by law, confidential and may NOT be released to anyone without your permission, NRS 392.020, Subsection 5.
- The NV homeschool law prevents the government from dictating what that education looks like and protects the parent's fundamental right to direct the education of their child as they see fit, NRS 388D.050.
When a parent files a NOI to Homeschool the parent legally takes full responsibility to provide an education to the child. In other words, the parent fully directs/controls the education of the child, not the government. The parent is the teacher/principal who not only provides the education but advances the child to the next grade level when the child is ready and issues the diploma when the child completes their K-12 education.
An online charter school is a government controlled public school that is done in the home. The parent enrolls the child in an online charter school and serves as a teacher's aide. However it is the charter school, not the parent, who provides the education (curriculum), determines grade advancement, and issues the diploma to the child. In this case, the child is doing "public school at home."
For a more in depth discussion on these two types of education options please see Question 5G below and read, Homeschooling vs. Public School at Home.
This chart, Nevada Parental Choice Options explains "Who Controls the Child's Education?" dependent on the education option choice the parent makes for their child.
And you can find a short video explaining education options in Nevada on our "New Homeschoolers, Getting Started, or Refresher Notes" page under the Homeschool Support tab.
Local School District and Homeschooling
- If the superintendent of schools of a local school district receives a Notice of Intent to Homeschool from the “parent having control or charge of any child between the ages of 7 and 18”, the superintendent of schools must excuse the child from compulsory attendance in the public school.
- There is no approval process on the part of the local superintendent. If the notification contains the information required by law the superintendent must accept the notification and may not require or request any additional information or assurances from the parent.
- Upon receiving a Notice of Intent to Homeschool the school district must provide a “written acknowledgment" which clearly indicates that the parent has provided the notification required by law and that the child is being homeschooled.
- The written acknowledgment shall be “deemed proof of compliance with Nevada’s compulsory school attendance law”. The district shall retain a physical or electronic copy of the acknowledgment for not less than 15 years.
Furthermore, the purpose of the Notice of Intent to Homeschool is to inform the school district that the child is exempt from compulsory attendance in public school (NRS 388D.020[3]). If a Notice of Intent to Homeschool does not contain information required by law then the school district may contact the parent for the missing information.
Any educational plan that includes the basic subjects required in law (as appropriate for the age and skill level of the child as determined by the parent) MUST be accepted. Remember, this a "plan" and as such the parent has the right to change the plan based on the child's age/skill level as determined by the parent.
After filing the one-time (unless you move or enroll in another education option and then return to homeschooling) Notice of Intent to Homeschool with the school district, a parent must be prepared to provide an educational plan and proof of identity only when required by a court of law as stated in NRS 388D.050. This educational plan must include the subjects required by law as appropriate for the age and skill level of the child, as determined by the parent, at the time of the court request. However, the law does not require that every subject listed in law be taught every year the child is homeschooled. The requirement for the parent to "prepare an educational plan of instruction" does not necessarily mean written preparation each year, as explained to homeschool leaders by the Legislative Counsel Bureau when the homeschool law was passed. To "prepare" means to "make ready", to "get ready", to "equip".
The parent however, should keep and maintain an accurate and up to date file of the child's educational progress. These records should include a copy of the NOI to Homeschool, the receipt for submission of the NOI from the school district, any "proof of mailings" received from the US Post Office as well as any other pertinent records regarding the child's education.
Good records on the education provided to the child and his/her progress through the homeschool years should be kept by the parent to provide back-up to any year-end grades, certificates of completion, and/or diplomas you present your child. Your child will need at a minimum his High School Diploma showing he/she has completed their homeschool program. Colleges, vocational schools, employers, and others often request to see the student's proof of graduation from high school, be sure both he/she and you have a copy.
Yearly records should include: the subjects taught; days of instruction (no legal requirement, but a similar number of days used in public/private schools is recommended, though the length of these days may vary [and some children may take a shorter or longer amount of time to master the subject]); scores/grades on any course tests; end of course exams; and/or annual standardized exam taken by the child should be kept in a portfolio for your child along with examples of his/her work that you feel shows academic progress. Report cards are helpful K-6, and transcripts for middle school and high school a must.
There are many sources for RECORD KEEPING available to homeschool parents through the internet, and/or curriculum resource providers. See our "Resource, Catalogs, and Magazines" tab for links. HSLDA has Preschool - 8th grade record keeping and High School record keeping & transcript information in their Teaching My Kids webpage, click on the appropriate grade level for your child.
If the school district does not have a copy of the NOI to Homeschool that you submitted we suggest you simply request a copy of the "Acknowledgement of Receipt" and any other records they do have on you child and then fill out a second NOI with the appropriate information for the child for the age when you filed (noting on the form it is not the original) and keep it with the A of R, that should suffice.
NRS 388D.020 Notice of intent to homeschool; acknowledgement of notification. 7. The school district shall provide to a parent who files a notice a written acknowledgment which clearly indicates that the parent has provided notification required by law and that the child is being homeschooled. The written acknowledgment shall be deemed proof of compliance with Nevada’s compulsory school attendance law. The school district shall retain a copy of the written acknowledgment for not less than 15 years. The written acknowledgment may be retained in electronic format.
NRS 388D.030 Release of child’s records.
The superintendent of schools of a school district shall process a written request for a copy of the records of the school district, or any information contained therein, relating to a child who is being or has been homeschooled not later than 5 days after receiving the request. The superintendent of schools may only release such records or information:
1. To a person or entity specified by the parent of the child, or by the child if the child is at least 18 years of age, upon suitable proof of identity of the parent or child; or
2. If required by specific statute.
Homeschooling the Child
For assistance in writing an educational plan or choosing instructional materials parents may find other homeschool parents, the local library, or the Internet helpful. Enter the words "homeschooling in Nevada" in the search engine for a listing of local, regional, or state homeschool organizations with resources available to homeschoolers in your area. These websites usually offer free services as a support to the homeschooling community. NHN has archived a helpful link from World Book listing a "traditional course of study" (not Common Core).
Lastly, good records on the education provided to the child and his/her progress through the years should be kept to provide back-up to any year-end grades, certificates of completion, and/or diplomas you present your child. Good record keeping protects both you and your child in a competive world. Records kept should include
- subjects taught
- days of instruction (no legal requirement, but a similar number of days used in public/private schools is recommended, though the actual total number of days may vary [some children may take a shorter or longer amount of time to master the subject])
- scores/grades on any course exams, end of course exams, and/or annual standardized exam taken by the child should be kept in a portfolio for your child along with examples of his/her work that you feel show progress.
- Report cards are helpful K-6, and transcripts for middle school and high school a must.
There are many sources for RECORD KEEPING available to homeschool parents through the internet, and/or curriculum resource providers. See our "Resource, Catalogs, and Magazines" tab for links. HSLDA has Preschool - 8th grade record keeping and High School record keeping & transcript information in their Teaching My Kids webpage, click on the appropriate grade level for your child.
It is recognized that in a tutorial education program such as homeschooling a student can generally accomplish more in a shorter period of time than in a group setting. By law, the public school year runs from July 1 to June 30. Most homeschool parents use a traditional academic schedule as a starting point and then tailor the amount of instructional time as needed for each child. Some children may need more time to master a skill, others less. That is what makes homeschooling unique and such a success. You may follow a traditional nine month calendar or follow your own year round schedule within that twelve month period.
The homeschooling parent may choose to use correspondence programs, computer programs, textbooks, the internet, library resources, licensed teachers, co-ops, tutors, specialty instructors, or any other resources the parent deems appropriate to meet the educational needs of their child, but it is the parent who directs the education of the child. Further, "homeschooling" is self-funded and the parent maintains the freedom to choose appropriate educational methods for the child.
There are many local, regional and statewide homeschool organizations available to assist a new homeschooling parent. Many of these groups have websites or are listed in the telephone directory. Talking with someone else who is a veteran homeschooler will give you an opportunity to find out how to get started and learn about the many valuable resources available to you according to the educational style you choose to use in your homeschool. The NHN website is listed at the beginning of this document for more assistance should you need it, and it contains sample educational plans that you may use when developing a plan for your child.