Can a Parent Home School If They Don't Have a Diploma or GED?

Forty-one states have no regulations for a parent to have any specific educational documentation if they are wishing to homeschool their child. In these 41 states no high school diploma or GED is required to homeschool a child. In the remaining states, a GED or diploma may be required. Some states allow parents to homeschool without a GED or high school diploma if they are monitored by a state-certified teacher for a minimum of two years.

1. States with No Educational Requirements Forty-one states have no educational requirement for homeschooling parents. This means a high school diploma or GED is not necessary in those states. However, just because these states do not have educational requirements for homeschooling parents, they may have other state mandates that should be considered such as logging school hours, curriculum approval, or testing requirements that must be met. Oklahoma is the only state that specifically protects the parents right to homeschool.

2. States with Exemptions Tennessee does not require a GED or high school diploma for homeschooling children who are in the eighth grade or less. However, once a child enters the eighth grade year, the home teacher is required to posses a GED or high school diploma. Parents wishing to homeschool in North Dakota that do not hold a GED or high school diploma, can school their children at home if they are under the monitoring of a state-certified teacher for a minimum of two years.

3. States with GED or Diploma Requirements Georgia, North Carolina, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, West Virginia and the District of Columbia are the states and districts that require that parents have a GED or high school diploma. In these states if the parent does not meet these qualifications, they will need to find a suitable in-home teacher that does.