The law states the following:

Any parent who elects to provide home instruction in lieu of school attendance shall annually notify the division superintendent in August of his intention to so instruct the child and provide a description of the curriculum, limited to a list of subjects to be studied during the coming year, and evidence of having met one of the criteria for providing home instruction as required by subsection A. Effective July 1, 2000, parents electing to provide home instruction shall provide such annual notice no later than August 15. Two bills, initiated by HEAV to clarify the meaning of a “description of the curriculum,” passed both the House and Senate and have been signed by Governor McDonnell. The new language, which took effect July 1, 2012, requires a parent to “provide a description of the curriculum, limited to a list of subjects to be studied during the coming year….” Superintendents may no longer require course descriptions, outlines, textbook titles, explanations of methods, tables of contents, or scope and sequences. This change will provide consistency in all school districts.

What is included in a “description of the curriculum”?

A curriculum description includes a list of all the subjects included in a plan of study. A curriculum is defined in the American Heritage Dictionary as a listing of “all the courses of study offered by an educational institution.” The Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defines curriculum as “the group of subjects studied in a school, college, etc. The description is now limited by law to a list of subjects to be studied during the coming year. Examples of subjects could include math, algebra, geometry, history, world history, American history, handwriting, science, biology, physics, language arts, grammar, composition, British literature, music, art, rhetoric, Latin, foreign  language, macroeconomics, etc.

Are there certain subjects I am required to teach?

No, the law does not list the subjects that must be taught for each grade level. That decision is up to the parent. However, most parents teach the traditional subjects, i.e., language arts, math, science, history, etc. It’s important to teach what is appropriate for your child and to present it in a reasonable, understandable way. You do not want to raise questions that could lead to unnecessary problems.

What if I change my mind about the curriculum I plan to use?

If you have submitted a list of subjects to be studied along with the information on your Notice of Intent, you have properly notified the superintendent. The law does not require you to inform the superintendent’s office concerning any changes you make to your educational plan once the school year has begun.