Academics · Subject Resources

Start homeschooling
in the right order.

The first weeks of homeschooling go wrong in the same few ways: a child withdrawn before the notice is filed, records never requested, a calendar that quietly runs through August. Work through twelve start-up steps in order, law first, and set the year’s days. The checklist works out the teaching weeks and the last day and flags what has to happen before the first one.

Start a planWhat you get

Start-up plans

The worked example is made up: a fourth grader leaving school in January, a ninth grader whose calendar runs nearly all year and a second grader starting in five days after a move. Saved on this device only.

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What you get

Academics · Subject ResourcesFree

What you finish with
A record per child: initials, grade, how the start happens, the kind of state rule, the first day, days planned, days a week, weeks of breaks and twelve start-up steps in three groups. Works out teaching weeks, weeks with breaks, the projected last day and days to the start; flags a start inside two weeks with legal steps open, a mid-year withdrawal not done, a calendar over 48 weeks and a family not sure which rule applies.
Who it is for
Parents and caregivers starting to homeschool, in any grade from kindergarten to high school.
Format
Browser checklist with a saved plan per child. Prints one plan, every plan in a table or a blank checklist; downloads a spreadsheet (.csv); exports and imports a file.
Access
Free. No account, no sign-in and nothing to install. Everything you type stays in this browser; nothing is sent to Caveat.
Where it lives
The Subject Resources space in Caveat Academics.
Support
Questions about access, an order or a correction: team@caveatacademic.com.

How to use it

  1. Find and read your state’s rule first.
  2. Ask the old school for records before withdrawing.
  3. File what is required, then withdraw in writing.
  4. Set the days and see the last day.
  5. Pick three core subjects to start.

Start a plan

Know which rule you are under

Four kinds of state homeschool rulesNo noticeNothing to file.Families stillkeep their ownrecords and plan.NoticeA notice orregistration withthe state ordistrict.Some add subjectsor days.Portfolio or testsNotice plus ayearly test,evaluation orportfolio review.Umbrella schoolEnroll with acover or privateschool that keepsthe records.Kinds of state homeschool rulesNo noticeNothing to file.Families still keep their own records andplan.NoticeA notice or registration with the state ordistrict.Some add subjects or days.Portfolio or testsNotice plus a yearly test, evaluation orportfolio review.Umbrella schoolEnroll with a cover or private school thatkeeps the records.
Many states offer more than one route. Read your own state’s law or education department page; this sorting is only a way to know what to look for.

Law before lessons

The order matters most when a child is leaving a school. In many states the withdrawal and the homeschool notice have to line up, or the child shows as absent. Read the rule, file what it asks, then withdraw, and keep the child attending until it is done.

How the calendar works

Teaching weeks are the planned days divided by days a week, rounded up. Breaks are added on top. The last day is counted from the first day, so a 180-day year at four days a week runs 45 weeks before any breaks.

Sources

  1. Your state department of education’s page on home instruction, and the state statute it cites: the only authority for your state’s rules.
  2. U.S. Department of Education. Homeschooling: state regulation is set by each state; federal law does not regulate homeschooling.
  3. Coalition for Responsible Home Education. Homeschool laws by state (responsiblehomeschooling.org), a summary to check against your state’s source.
  4. National Center for Education Statistics. Homeschooled children and reasons for homeschooling (nces.ed.gov).

The worked example is made up. This checklist does not tell you your state’s law; read your state’s own rules. Nothing you type is sent to Caveat. Support: team@caveatacademic.com.