Oregon

Oregon has a specific homeschool statute that establishes requirements for families educating children at home.

Key Statutes & Rules

Oversight Structure

Oregon uses Education Service Districts (ESDs) rather than individual school districts to administer homeschool registration. There are 19 ESDs across Oregon, and you register with the ESD that serves your residence.

Step 1: Identify Your ESD

Find which Education Service District serves your address. Oregon has 19 ESDs (Clackamas, Douglas, High Desert, Lane, Multnomah, Willamette, etc.). Most offer online registration.

Step 2: Submit Notice of Intent

Notify your ESD in writing within 10 days of:

• Withdrawing your child from school, OR
• Child reaching compulsory age (6 by September 1), OR
• Moving to a new ESD area

Notice Must Include: Parent name/address, child's name and DOB, last school attended or district of residence.

Step 3: Receive Acknowledgment

The ESD must acknowledge your notification within 90 days. Keep this letter as proof of registration.

Note: One-time notification—you do NOT need to re-register annually. If you move to a different ESD, notify the new ESD within 10 days.

What Oregon REQUIRES

What Oregon Does NOT Require

• No annual re-registration
• No curriculum approval or requirements
• No specific subjects
• No attendance tracking
• No hours/days requirements
• No teacher qualifications
• No portfolio submission
• No evaluator review

Oregon requires standardized testing at specific grade levels, administered by a neutral, qualified person.

When to Test

Approved Tests

• California Achievement Test (CAT)
• Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS)
• Stanford Achievement Test (SAT-10)
• TerraNova/CTBS
• Metropolitan Achievement Test (MAT)

Test Administrator Requirements

Tests must be administered by a neutral person (no blood/marriage relation) who holds Oregon teaching license, is licensed psychologist, has purchased an approved test, or completed graduate course in test administration.

Cost: Parents pay all testing costs. Typical range: $50-150.

Oregon has a structured process when test scores fall below the 15th percentile—designed as a "safety net" rather than punishment.

The Process

Year 1 (Below 15th): Child must test again within one year. Homeschooling continues normally.

Year 2 (Declining): If second score is lower than first, child tests again. ESD may require licensed teacher supervision (parent's choice/expense) or allow normal continuation.

Year 3 (Third Decline): ESD may allow continued homeschooling (with or without supervision) or require public school attendance for up to 12 consecutive months.

Exit from Remediation

At any point, if the composite score equals or exceeds the previous year's score, all restrictions are removed and regular testing schedule resumes.

Reality Check: This process is rarely invoked. Most homeschooled students score well above the 15th percentile.

Parent Authority

Oregon homeschool parents determine graduation requirements, required courses and credits, grading standards, and when to issue diploma.

"ESDs do not award diplomas to home schooled students nor do high schools generally award diplomas to home schooled high school students."

Parents issue their own diplomas. Many families create formal diplomas or hold ceremonies with local co-ops.

College Admission

Oregon Promise Grant requires: copy of ESD confirmation letter, 10th grade test results, transcript with unweighted GPA.

General Tips:

• Most Oregon colleges welcome homeschoolers
• Community colleges rarely have admission issues
• SAT/ACT scores are helpful
• Start at community college if facing resistance

Oregon provides guaranteed access to interscholastic activities for homeschool students through ORS 339.460.

What's Available

OSAA Requirements (High School Sports)

Key Difference

General homeschool testing is 15th percentile at grades 3, 5, 8, 10. Sports eligibility requires 23rd percentile every year for grades 9-12.

Compulsory Attendance Age

Ages 6-18 — Child is 6 if birthday is on or before September 1 of current school year.

Students with Disabilities

Two plan options under ORS 339.035(5):

1. IEP: Through public school evaluation; school determines accommodations
2. PDP (Privately Developed Plan): Parent develops with private providers; more family control

Modified testing options available, including different percentile requirements or alternative assessments.

Online Public Schools

If enrolled in an Oregon-accredited online school (Oregon Connections Academy, etc.), you do NOT need to register as homeschool—the child is a public school student.

Truancy

If you begin homeschooling without notifying the ESD, your child is considered truant. Always file your Notice of Intent promptly.

Oregon offers a balanced, straightforward approach to homeschooling with minimal bureaucracy.

Advantages:

1. One-time notification — No annual re-registration
2. No curriculum requirements — Complete freedom
3. No subject requirements — Teach what you want
4. No hours tracking — No attendance logs required
5. 18-month grace period — Time to adjust before testing
6. Guaranteed sports access — By state law (ORS 339.460)
7. Supportive remediation — Low scores don't immediately end homeschooling

Comparison Table

*Texas only requires notification if withdrawing from public school