Definition of a Homeschooler

Homeschooling is defined as parent-directed, family-funded education of the child at home. Usage of the term “homeschooling” originated in the early 1980’s and signifies an arrangement as one where the parent or guardian assumes the teaching responsibility and where the cost of this instruction is borne by the parents and not the taxpayer.

If the parent or guardian chooses to delegate some control to a private or public school program or fee-based classes held outside the home, they must still teach the majority (51%) of core subjects (reading, grammar, math, science, and social studies) to be considered homeschoolers.

Families whose children are wholly enrolled in a tuition-free charter school, publically-funded virtual academy, or government-supported independent study program are classified by law as public school students and therefore are not considered to be homeschooling even though their studies may be based in the home.

Parents of students enrolled in community college classes or utilizing other means of instruction such as private tutors are still considered to be homeschoolers as long as the parent or legal guardian remains the primary teacher and retains complete responsibility for their child/children’s education.

In summary, students can be considered as being homeschooled if they fall into any one of the following categories: 1.) their mother, father, or another family member teaches them at home; 2.) the parent or guardian hires a private tutor to instruct them in one or more subjects; 3.) they are self- educated or unschooled and learn on their own; 4.) they are in a traveling show-business or missionary family and use homeschool curriculum while on the road or living abroad; 5.) they are students pursuing acting or sports careers and are enrolled in a private distance learning program.

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