Vermont

Vermont has a specific home study statute that establishes requirements for families educating children at home.

Key Statutes

Oversight Agency

The Vermont Agency of Education (AOE) Home Study Team processes enrollments and maintains records. They function as a processor—not a school—and do not provide curriculum, textbooks, or instructional resources.

On July 1, 2023, significant changes to Vermont's home study law took effect (H-0461), simplifying requirements for families.

What Changed

What Stayed the Same

• Annual Notice of Intent (enrollment) still required
• 175 days of instruction still required
• Minimum Course of Study must still be taught (just not submitted)
• End of Year Assessment must still be completed (just not submitted)
• Records must still be maintained by the family

Bottom Line: The 2023 changes moved Vermont from a "submit and review" model to an "attest and maintain" model. You still must do everything—you just don't have to submit it to the state anymore.

Step 1: Submit Notice of Intent

File a Notice of Intent with the Vermont Agency of Education at least 10 business days before beginning your home study program.

First-Year Enrollment Requires:

• Notice of Intent form (online or paper)
• Child's name, age, date of birth
• Parent/guardian contact information
• Attestation that progress will be assessed annually
• Attestation that 175 days of instruction will be provided

Plus one of the following:

• Vermont public school report card (if previously enrolled), OR
• Independent Professional Evidence (IPE) form documenting whether child has a disability

Step 2: Wait for Acknowledgment

Within 10 business days of receiving a complete enrollment notice, AOE will send written acknowledgment.

Step 3: Begin Instruction

Once acknowledged, provide instruction in required subjects for at least 175 days.

Annual Re-Enrollment

Each year, submit an Annual Notice form before the start of the school year (at least 10 business days before).

What Vermont Law REQUIRES

What Vermont Does NOT Require

• No teacher qualifications
• No curriculum approval
• No submission of MCOS to state (since 2023)
• No submission of EOYA to state (since 2023)
• No standardized testing mandate
• No home visits
• No minimum hours per day

Vermont requires instruction in specific subjects, though the course of study no longer needs to be submitted to the state.

All Students

Students Under Age 13 (Additional)

Note: Age 13+: Health, PE, and fine arts are NOT required. You must teach these subjects but don't need to submit plans to AOE.

At the end of each school year, you must assess your child's progress. Since 2023, assessments are kept by the family—not submitted to AOE.

Assessment Options (Choose ONE)

Parent Report + Portfolio (Most Common)

• Summary of what the child learned during the school year
• At least 4 dated work samples demonstrating progress
• Samples should show variety across subjects
• No grades required on samples

Key Point: Assessment is about progress commensurate with age and ability—not grade level. No minimum scores required. You keep the assessment; don't send to AOE.

Parent Authority

As a home study program, you determine graduation requirements, required courses and credits, grading standards, and when to issue diploma.

"Students enrolled in Home Study do not receive grades or diplomas from the State." The AOE does not issue diplomas—that is the parent's responsibility.

Creating Transcripts

For college applications, include: student information, courses by year with credits and grades, cumulative GPA, graduation date, and parent/administrator signature.

College Admission

University of Vermont requires:

• Copy of state-approved curriculum (your MCOS)
• Proof of graduation (diploma, GED, or final transcript)
• Official transcripts from any high school or college courses

General Tips:

• Create comprehensive transcripts
• Document extracurricular activities
• Take SAT/ACT
• Consider dual enrollment at community college

Vermont is one of the most homeschool-friendly states for public school access. State law requires school boards to integrate home study students.

Legal Foundation

16 V.S.A. § 563(24): School boards "shall adopt a policy that... will integrate home study students into its schools through enrollment in courses, participation in cocurricular and extracurricular activities, and use of facilities."

What This Means

Sports Participation

Home study students can try out for and participate in public school sports. Must comply with Vermont Principals' Association (VPA) requirements (same eligibility rules as enrolled students).

Compulsory Attendance Age

Ages 6-16 — Children must be enrolled in school from age 6 until age 16.

First-Time Enrollees

If your child has never attended a Vermont public school, you must submit:

• Independent Professional Evidence (IPE) form documenting whether child has a disability, OR
• Copy of existing IEP or 504 plan

Children with Disabilities

• Must provide adaptations for documented disabilities
• May be exempted from 175-day requirement with documentation
• Home study students are not guaranteed public school special education services

Ending Your Home Study Program

Notify AOE in writing within 10 business days when student enrolls in school, graduates, family moves out of Vermont, or program closes.

Vermont offers a balanced, family-friendly approach to homeschooling with the 2023 changes making compliance significantly easier.

Advantages:

1. 2023 simplification — No more submitting MCOS or EOYA to state
2. No teacher qualifications — Any parent can homeschool
3. Public school access by law — Sports, classes, activities
4. Flexible assessment options — Choose what works for your family
5. No standardized testing mandate — Parent report + portfolio accepted
6. 175-day flexibility — No minimum hours per day

Comparison Table

*Texas only requires notification if withdrawing from public school