HOME EDUCATION (Home Schooling)    

 OHIO HOMESCHOOL VS. ONLINE SCHOOL

In Ohio, the terms "homeschooling" and "online school" are often used interchangeably, but legally and practically, they are two completely different paths. In 2023, Ohio updated its laws (specifically ORC 3321.042), making the distinction even clearer for parents.

Here is an informational breakdown to help you decide which model fits your family's needs.

1. Home Education (Traditional Homeschooling)

Under Ohio's new "Home Education" statute, you are exempting your child from compulsory school attendance to teach them yourself.

• Legal Process: You must send a Notice of Intent (NOI) to your local superintendent within 5 days of starting, and then every year by August 30. If you fail to submit your Notice of Intent (NOI) by August 30, your child will be considered legally "truant" from the local public school.

• Legally Required Info: Only your name/address, child’s name, and an "assurance" that you will teach the 6 core subjects (English, Math, Science, History, Government, Social Studies).

• The Responsibility: If you stop teaching the required subjects, the state can technically use truancy laws (ORC 3321.19) against you.

• The Verification: You should keep a "Master File" containing the final transcript and a copy of your last NOI acknowledgement letter. This is what you will provide if a background check company ever calls to verify your child's high school education.

2. Online School (Public e-Schools)

Schools such as Ohio Virtual Academy (OHVA) and Ohio Connections Academy (OCA) are "Community Schools." Your child is a public school student; they just don't attend a brick-and-mortar school.

• Legal Process: You enroll just like any other public school. You do not send a homeschool notice to your superintendent.

• Screen Time: Expect significant time in front of a computer for "LiveSesson" classes and digital coursework.

• Support: Your child will have a teacher to grade work and a counselor to help with credits.

• Attendance Law: You are subject to House Bill 410 (the truancy law). If your child doesn't log in for a certain number of hours or misses "LiveSessions," the school is legally required to trigger an absence intervention and can eventually take you to truancy court.

• Mandatory Testing: Because they receive public funds, these schools must administer all Ohio State Tests (OSTs). Your child will likely have to travel to a physical testing site (like a hotel conference room) several times a year to take these proctored exams.

3. Work Permits (Traditional Homeschooling) 

• For 16 and 17-year-olds: You, the parent, are now legally authorized to issue the work permit yourself. You no longer have to go to the local school district’s office to get it signed.

• For 14 and 15-year-olds: The process is still a bit more traditional. You usually take the completed application (with the employer's pledge and a physician's certificate) to your local school district’s administrative office. Even though they don't educate your child, they act as the "issuing officer" for the state for younger minors.

• Verification for the Employer: When your child is hired, the employer will request the permit. You provide the completed form along with a copy of the Written Acknowledgement from the superintendent (the letter you got after sending your NOI). This proves the child is legally "Home Educated" and not a truant.

Work Permits (Public e-Schools) 

If your child is in an online public school (like OHVA or Connections), they are technically public school students.

• The Issuing Officer: The work permit must be signed by the online school’s superintendent or their designated staff.

• Attendance Tracking: Because online schools are state-funded, they must track attendance. If your child is failing classes or has too many "unexcused absences" (log-in gaps), the school can legally refuse to sign the work permit or even revoke an existing one.

The Process: You typically download the form, have the employer fill out their part, get a physical, and then scan/email it to the online school's office for a digital or mailed signature.

Recommended Ohio Home Education Notification Form 

You can also find more information regarding Home Education by visiting the Ohio Department of Education’s website at https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Ohio-Education-Options/Home-Schooling.