How to Homeschool in Oregon

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Oregon has just a few simple laws about homeschooling and features a friendly homeschooling community. These features help ease the process of starting your homeschooling journey. In this article you will find the following:

An overview of Oregon homeschool laws
An introduction to homeschool groups in Oregon
A description of how Moving Beyond the Page can help you get started

* This page does not contain legal advice and is not an endorsement of any homeschool groups listed. (see disclaimer)

Oregon Homeschool Laws

The homeschool laws for the state of Oregon are very simple. There are only two rules you need to comply with in order to homeschool your child:

Sending a letter of intent to homeschool
Arranging to have your child take standardized tests at certain grade levels

Letter of Intent
If your child between the ages of 6 and 18, you will need to send a letter of intent to homeschool to your local Educational Service District (ESD) no later than September 1. The letter simply states that you wish to withdraw your child from public school and teach him or her from home. The semi-formal letter will include information such as your child's name, date of birth, address, and the name of the last public school attended. Click here to view a sample letter of intent. You submit the letter of intent only one time unless you move to a different ESD.

Standardized Testing
Your child will be required to take a state-approved standardized test during grades 3, 5, 8 and 10. The test must be administered by a qualified individual who is not a blood relation to the student. The ESD may or may not require parents to submit test results. If test results are requested, the child must score at or above the 15th percentile. If a student's score is too low, the ESD may require additional testing, have a licensed teacher supervise the student, or require the student to attend public school (for no more than 12 consecutive months).

Oregon.gov Q&A

Homeschool Groups in Oregon

Homeschooling your children is a daunting task, but there are many groups and organizations in Oregon to help you out. Here are some organizations you may want to look into.

Oregon Home Education Network (OHEN)

http://www.ohen.org/

This inclusive, statewide homeschool group is dedicated to supporting all of Oregon's homeschool families. They sponsor an annual homeschooling conference, homeschooling information sessions, homeschool dances, and other events. Their website and Facebook page contains great information about homeschooling legislation, resources for homeschooling families, and upcoming social and educational events.

Homeschool PDX

http://homeschoolpdx.com/

This secular homeschool group is based in Portland. The website contains useful blog posts, and the group sponsors a meetup group that allows families to get together for a variety of social and educational activities in the Portland area.

Total Education at Christian Homes (TEACH)

http://www.home-school.com/groups/detail.php?682

Through fellowship and education, TEACH provides assistance and encouragement to its members. They hold several social events including BBQs, field trips, project fairs, and ice cream socials to bring its members together. TEACH also provides monthly meetings for parents to get together and discuss anything homeschool. There is a small membership fee of $15 a year, however they ensure that the benefit of joining a community of homeschooling families is worth it.

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NOTE: You can find a wealth of local and state groups offering homeschooling advice and support on sites such as Facebook and Yahoo Groups. You can search by city or county, religious preference, homeschooling philosophy, and more. You will need a free account on these sites to join one of their groups.

A Homeschool Curriculum for Oregon

Beyond the Page is a homeschool curriculum that exceeds the requirements for homeschooling in the state of Oregon. All of the Beyond the Page packages cover science, social studies, and language arts, and we offer a range of math programs as well. The Oregon legal requirements are only a starting point, and our curriculum utilizes a range of educational strategies that are designed to foster a love of learning in children including:

Hands-on activities,
Differentiated options, and
Independent projects.

Beyond the Page encourages critical thinking and creativity while encouraging your child's unique learning style like no other curriculum on the market. If your child is a hands-on learner, a gifted learner, or a creative free-thinker, then you should look into Beyond the Page for your child.

Choose an age level to continue:

Age 4-5

Age 5-7

Age 6-8

Age 7-9

Age 8-10

Age 9-11

Age 10-12

Age 11-13

Age 12-14

Disclaimers

Any information about the laws in your state is provided to help you understand your legal requirements to homeschool in your state. It should by no means be interpreted as legal advice. This information was not compiled by a lawyer. It is your responsibility to interpret and understand the laws that you will be homeschooling under. If you have questions, you should seek the advice of a lawyer that operates in your state.

Beyond the Page does not endorse any of the homeschool groups that are included in these pages. They are provided only for your benefit. You should research any group to ensure that they align with your family's goals and philosophies.