Rich in agriculture and known for its friendly residents, Kansas is a great place to educate your children. One thing is certain; whether you are outside enjoying the green grass with a group of other homeschooling families or spending time with your children learning in your living room, you will benefit from the greatest blessings of homeschooling: growth and togetherness.

Understanding the homeschool laws where you reside, having support, and obtaining a solid, biblically based education are all important facets of homeschool success. The valuable information and resources provided below will help you feel confident while homeschooling in Kansas.

 

Kansas compulsory school attendance law states that a child must attend school regularly from age seven until 18 (this applies to homeschools).

 

There are two options in which you can legally homeschool in Kansas.

 

Option 1: Homeschool as a satellite of a private school

• Enroll in a private school that accepts homeschooled students
• Abide by the requirements established by the private school for homeschool families who enroll in their school as a satellite school. (Private schools often establish similar requirements to the non-accredited private school option.)

 

Option 2: Register your homeschool as a non-accredited private school (NAPS) and follow the requirements below:

 

Homeschool Registration 

• Notify the previous school your child has been attending of your intention to homeschool 
• Register your homeschool with the State Board of Education (here)

• Designate the parent or guardian as the custodian of record for your child's education. If the custodian of the record is not the parent or guardian, enter the parent or guardian's information under the parent/guardian section.

• Revisit the registration site to update your address or other necessary information to keep the registration record current.
• Revisit the registration site and mark your school as "non-active" when you stop homeschooling. 

 

 

What Else is Required?

• Instructors must be "competent."
• The child's instruction/class time must be equivalent to Kansas public schools (186 days of 6 hours minimum per day, or 1116 hours per year for grades 1-11).
• Homeschool families must acquire their education materials (curriculum) and plan their own child's education.
• You can review the Kansas curricular standard "guidelines" to help you decipher what your child should know and be able to do at different grade levels as you develop your child's education plan. (Kansas curricular standards include English language Arts, English language proficiency, mathematics, science, and social studies (history and government) and mention computer science, driver's education, health education, technology (library and media), physical education, and foreign language.) 

 

What is NOT required?

• Specific educational prerequisites for instructors
• Specific subject or curricula (choose your own)
• State-mandated standardized tests
• Immunization requirements

 

Other Helpful Information

 

Interscholastic and Extracurricular Activities

God often works through our service and talents to draw others closer to him. With each opportunity to serve, we can spread the gospel message of love, faith, and forgiveness through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and fulfill the biblical mandate to love others.

 

Homeschooling allows greater flexibility to explore each child's unique interests and sharpen their talents. You may want to explore areas of interest like baking, flying, construction, acting, sports, and more. As you discover your child's interests, ask your family, friends, church members, and local homeschool group members if they know of any businesses, programs, community-based opportunities, or other ideas that might help you sharpen your child's gifts and talents. You may be surprised to find what opportunities await!

 

• Homeschool students can enroll part-time in the school district to attend any courses, programs, or services offered by the school district if the child:
• Homeschool parents with students who want to participate in sports through Kansas public schools can also contact KSHSAA to express interest and discuss options.
• If your homeschool is a satellite of a private school, your child may be able to participate in that private school's sports and extracurricular programs.

 

Record-keeping 

Kansas schools are not required to accept the transfer of credit and may evaluate the student to determine what grade level to place your child; therefore, keeping records of hours and curricula (what your child has studied) can prove helpful if you decide to re-enroll your child in public or private school. 

 

Records may also be requested by prospective employers, the military, and any post-high school institutions to which your child may apply in the future. 

 

Homeschool parents may want to maintain the records suggested below: 

 

• Copy of your homeschool registration 
• A school calendar verifying a minimum of 186 days with 6 hours of attendance per day, or 1116 hours per year for grades 1-11
• Course Summary (This "Scope and Sequence" summarizes the BJU Press Homeschool courses)
• Tests and sample assignments 
• Annual nationally standardized test scores or yearly assessment report
• Correspondence with school officials 
• SAT or ACT (college entrance exam) test scores
• Immunization records
• Transcript
• Resumé

 

Preparing Your Teenager for Homeschool Graduation in Kansas

Like other states, Kansas does not issue a diploma to homeschooled students. Therefore, homeschool parents can set their own graduation requirements, determine when their students will graduate, and award a high school diploma under their own terms. Homeschool parents should be aware that many colleges and universities accept home-issued diplomas for admission and financial aid; however, many post-secondary institutions also use alternative admissions processes for homeschooled students, requesting additional documents such as SAT or ACT scores, course outlines, essays, letters of recommendation, personal interview, and/or a high school transcript (or a GED). Some post-secondary institutions require detailed coursework, requesting proof that hands-on high school-level laboratory experiments were conducted with the applicant's high school science courses.

 

To best equip your child for post-secondary education, Kansas recommends some graduation requirements:

 

• Four credits - English Language Arts
• Three credits - History and Government
• Three credits - Science
• Three credits - Mathematics
• One credit - Physical Education
• One credit - Fine Arts
• Six credits - Electives

 

It is also beneficial to contact any of your teenager's prospective college admissions offices to inquire about their specific entrance requirements. Reference this information as you set high school graduation requirements and develop a four-year plan for your teenager's high school courses. When your teenager has completed the graduation requirements you have selected, issue your teenager's homeschool diploma and complete your teenage graduate's transcripts.

 

 

 

Resources for Kansas Homeschool Families

With the growing number of home educators throughout Kansas, homeschoolers are finding it easier than ever to connect with other homeschool families. You can connect with homeschool families and gain support through local homeschool groups, local homeschool co-ops, social media, your local library, programs or club for debate, sports, etc., and your statewide homeschool organizations.

 

Homeschool Groups

Local homeschool groups provide opportunities to socialize, learn, and connect with other homeschool families by offering activities such as field trips, mom meetups, monthly parent meetings, science fairs, and more. 

 

Homeschool Co-ops

A homeschool co-op is a group of homeschoolers cooperating to provide their children with educational and/or social activities. If you choose to register your child in a co-op class, inquire about recordkeeping for credits, attendance, and grades.

 

• Co-ops can have various operation styles, goals, and worldviews.
• Co-ops may consist of a few families or larger groups of families who have developed programs that offer classes to any homeschoolers who wish to participate. 
• Larger groups typically require registration and charge fees to cover administration costs.
• Homeschool co-ops may encourage or require parental participation or volunteering.

 

Locate homeschool groups, co-ops, clubs, and other programs in your area through your network of homeschool families, a local HomeWorks by Precept Consultant, or social media.

 

Social Media

Social media can be a valuable support tool where you can connect with other homeschool parents and inquire about local support groups, co-ops, sports options, and more. Many local groups have websites and often use social media platforms as their primary means of communication. You can find homeschool groups on Facebook by typing in the name of your area and the word "homeschool." For your convenience, here are a few Facebook groups that you may find helpful:

 

•     BJU Press Homeschool Community
•     HomeWorks by Precept
•     Christian Home Educators Confederation of Kansas(CHECK)
•     Midwest Parent Educators(MPE)
•     Kansas Home Educators(KSHE)

 

Your Local Library

Enquire with your local library about books related to your child's interests. Also, inquire about reading program options or an occasional class of interest.

 

State Homeschool Organizations

State homeschool organizations protect homeschool freedoms and often serve homeschoolers through supportive websites and programs.

 

Kansas Home Educators (KSHE)

Kansas Home Educators provides encouragement, education, and support for Kansas homeschooling families.

 

Annual Events 

Kansas Homeschool Expo

 

 

Midwest Parent Educators (MPE)

Midwest Parent Educators works to protect parents' freedom, rights, and duties in fulfilling the Biblical mandate to teach their children in a manner that will honor God.

 

Annual Events 

Midwest Parent Educators Conference and Curriculum Fair

 

Additional Support and Resources

 

Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)

HSLDA offers supportive information and resources, legislative advocacy, and legal representation benefits. Click >>> here <<< for more information on HSLDA. 

 

 

BJU Press Homeschool Testing and Evaluation Services

BJU Press Testing & Evaluation offers the Iowa Assessments™ Form E achievement test online or the Stanford tests for grades K–12. Since the Testing & Evaluation service provides an approved test administrator, you can choose an adult to proctor the test in the comfort of your home, and no qualifications are needed.

 

You can also order printed test materials for Iowa Assessments™ and CogAT® for your student and select a local administrator to test your child. 

 

Ask a HomeWorks by Precept Consultant for more details on these testing options.

 

Academy of Homeschool Education (AHE) 

A grading and record service provided by BJU Press Homeschool

 

• Keeps track of student grades 
• Sends quarterly report cards 
• Includes annual standardized testing
• Prepares official transcripts that detail the student's academic record, including results of standardized tests
• Holds an annual graduation ceremony 
• Incorporates a Cash4College program which allows you to earn tuition dollars toward enrollment at Bob Jones University with every curriculum purchase
• Offers dual credit options: Earn dual credit by taking residential or online Bob Jones University courses and have them count toward high school graduation requirements and college credits.
• Accreditation options are also available through AHE

 

Learn more about AHE >>> here. 

 

In Conclusion

I have enjoyed the time homeschooling has allowed me to spend with my children. I am also grateful that I have been able to help my children develop a solid foundation in Jesus Christ through the biblical integration that BJU Press Homeschool so expertly intertwines throughout every subject. Along with an educational tool woven with God's word and a solid foundation of academics that fulfills the requirements of your state's homeschool laws, I pray that the valuable information and resources shared above will help you feel confident as you homeschool in Kansas.

 

I cannot emphasize enough how helpful the support, advice, and encouragement from those who understand and have lived out the challenges and enjoyments of homeschooling have been to me. Consequently, I am thankful for each of the HomeWorks by Precept Consultants who passionately serve the homeschooling community by encouraging, praying with, and helping others who homeschool. And since each consultant has used the BJU Press Homeschool curriculum for many years, they can pull from their experiences to help with any questions that arise throughout the year. 

 

Click >>> here <<< to watch a short video about how HomeWorks by Precept Consultants can help you. 

 

*The list of resources and links is provided as a courtesy and does not imply endorsement by HomeWorks by Precept. We encourage you to research the philosophy and practices of programs and places before deciding on participation.

 

References

1. Kansas State Department of Education. Homeschooling In Kansas (Non-Accredited Private Schools (NAPS)). Retrieved August 16, 2022, from https://www.ksde.org/Agency/Division-of-Learning-Services/Special-Education-and-Title-Services/Title-Services/Non-Accredited-Private-Schools