Homeschooling has become increasingly popular in recent years, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated this trend. In Missouri, the number of families choosing to homeschool has grown significantly over the past few years, with a sharp increase during the pandemic. According to recent data, homeschooling in Missouri has increased by more than 5% during the pandemic, with over 10% of families now homeschooling their children. This shift in education has had a significant impact on families across the state, and it’s important to understand the reasons behind this trend, as well as the benefits and challenges of homeschooling in Missouri. In this blog post, we will explore the homeschooling landscape in Missouri, including the legal requirements, resources available to families, and the experiences of homeschooling parents and students. Whether you’re a current homeschooling family or considering homeschooling as an option, this post will provide valuable insights into the world of homeschooling in Missouri.
The Homeschooling Landscape
According to an article on Flatlandkc.org, there has been a significant increase in homeschooling in Missouri, with 5.9% of the population homeschooling in 2019-2020 and 10.9% in 2020-2021. While the number of homeschooled households has decreased since the 2020-2021 school year, it still remains higher than pre-pandemic years.
This is a large percentage of the population in comparison to the United States population as a whole. According to a report by the National Home Education Research Institute in 2019, approximately 3% to 4% of school-age children in the United States were homeschooled.
Legal Requirements for Homeschooling in Missouri
Missouri is an extremely flexible state to homeschool within. In fact, is is so flexible there are very few requirements for parents and kids. In Missouri, homeschooling is defined as having the primary purpose of providing private or religious-based instruction, enrolling students between the ages of 7 and 16 years (no more than four students can be unrelated within a homeschool setting), and not charging or receiving tuition, fees, or other remuneration.
Families homeschooling a child aged 7 through graduation must keep samples of each homeschooled student’s work, keep a record of periodic assessments, and provide documentation of at least 1,000 hours of instruction during their annual school term.
At least six hundred hours of which will be in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science or academic courses that are related to the aforementioned subject areas and consonant with the student’s age and ability.
This might sound like a lot, but here’s some good news: Missouri does not require notification or teacher qualifications for homeschooling. Additionally, there are no assessment or immunization requirements.
It’s important to note that each state’s homeschooling laws can change, so it’s recommended that families consult with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Hslda, or legal counsel for the most up-to-date information.
Resources For Missouri Families
The state of Missouri doesn’t provide stipends or tax benefits to families who choose to homeschool their kids. However, if you are willing to put out the time and money, there are a variety of resources available within the state. One website that advocates for homeschoolers is Families for Home Education. On this site you can view the in-person annual homeschool gathering that takes place at the state capital. You can also check out various homeschooling resources based on the region of the state you live in.
With Time4Learning you can find various homeschool co-ops and in-person groups to explore with your children. Also, check with your local church. Many towns have at least one large church that provides homeschool nights.
If you are looking for virtual interactions for your homeschooler, there is no better place to look than Outschool. Outschool is available in 180 countries, so there is a melding of a lot of cultures within the classes on the platform. They have hundreds of virtual socials and experiences for homeschoolers.
Other places to look for homeschool resources are your public library or, if you prefer a virtual library, the Kindle Unlimited program via Amazon. Speaking of Amazon, they also offer virtual experiences live with people from all around the world.
The Homeschooling Experience
While the state does not offer aid to homeschoolers financially, they have a lot of resources in the way of field trips, co-ops, and educational experiences. Plus, homeschooling within the state is very flexible. This is one of the things that draws homeschoolers to the state. If you are looking for field trip information, then be sure to check out Power Homeschool. Not only is this an online homeschool program that easily tracks your homeschooler’s progress, but it also offers a state-by-state guide on homeschooling. This includes things like field trips, how to get started, and more. Plus, there are ample parks and pretty good weather in the summers for homeschooling adventures outside.
Conclusion
So if you’re looking for a state that is friendly to homeschoolers, then Missouri is an option. It has plenty of resources for homeschooling parents and students, plus it’s easy to get started, and you don’t have many regulations. But don’t stop here. Check out the top five easiest states to homeschool in.
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