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⚖️ Oklahoma Homeschool Laws & Requirements
What Oklahoma law asks of homeschool families — notice or registration, school days and subjects, testing, records and diplomas — summarized from our Oklahoma guide with links to the official sources.
Homeschooling in Oklahoma: the basics
- The law: the Oklahoma Constitution (art. XIII, sec. 4) requires compulsory attendance "at some public or other school, unless other means of education are provided." Under 70 O.S. 10-105, a parent of a child over 5 and under 18 must have the child attend a public, private or other school "unless other means of education are provided for the full term the schools of the district are in session." Homeschooling is the "other means of education."
- No registration or testing: the State Department of Education (OSDE) says homeschools are not regulated, and Oklahoma law does not require parents to register with or seek approval from state or local officials, do state testing, or allow public school officials to visit or inspect homes. A parent doesn't need a teaching certificate; OSDE cites the Attorney General that instruction must be given in good faith and be equivalent to the education the state provides.
- OSDE's recommendations (not required by law): if your child is in public school, tell the principal you are withdrawing to homeschool (some schools have a release form); follow a school year equal to 180 days and six hours a day as appropriate for the child's age; use a well-defined curriculum; keep evidence of academic progress. OSDE lists reading, writing, math, science, citizenship, the U.S. Constitution, health, safety, physical education and conservation as required subjects under Oklahoma law, and points families to the Oklahoma Academic Standards.
- Compulsory age: over 5 and under 18 (70 O.S. 10-105; OSDE says ages 5 through 18). Under the same law, a 5-year-old's kindergarten year can be put off until the year after the child turns 6 if a parent notifies the district superintendent by certified mail.
- Curriculum and materials: you choose and pay for them. OSDE says the Attorney General has ruled that districts don't have to give homeschool students textbooks or other materials — which is where the homeschool tax credit can help.
- Going back to public school: because homeschools aren't accredited, OSDE says a returning student will take a standardized achievement test given by the receiving school, used for grade placement and credit, and the parent should bring documentation of the homeschool instruction.
- Diplomas and college: there is no state homeschool diploma. Under State Regents policy, graduates of home study qualify for admission to Oklahoma public colleges and universities with the institution's required ACT or SAT score, and the parent certifies the high school curricular requirements (OSRHE policy 3.9). Check each college's homeschool rules early.
Read the full section in our Oklahoma guide