Homeschooling in Hawaii is a recognized and legal alternative to compulsory public school attendance. Governed by the Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) Title 8, Chapter 12, the state offers a structured but manageable process for families wishing to educate their children at home. Hawaii is considered a “moderate” regulation state because it requires a one-time notification and mandatory annual progress reports, alongside standardized testing in specific grade levels.

The Legal Pathway: Home Education

In Hawaii, there is one primary legal pathway to homeschool: filing a Notice of Intent with the Department of Education. This pathway allows parents or legal guardians to take full responsibility for their child’s education.

1. Notification (Form RS 01-1188)

To begin homeschooling, you must submit a Notice of Intent to Home Educate (Form RS 01-1188) to the principal of the public school your child would otherwise attend. This notification is generally a one-time filing unless the child moves to a different school district or terminates the homeschool program. If you are withdrawing a child from a public school to start homeschooling, it is recommended to do this before the school year begins or immediately upon withdrawal.

2. Teacher Qualifications

There are no specific educational requirements or certifications needed for a parent to teach their own child in Hawaii. The law simply requires that the parent or legal guardian be the person responsible for the instruction.

3. Curriculum and Subjects

While the state does not provide a curriculum, it requires that your homeschool program be “structured.” This means you should have a plan that covers the following required subjects:

• Grades 1-6: Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Art, Music, Health, and Physical Education.
• Grades 7-12: All of the above, plus educational and vocational guidance.

4. Record-Keeping and Annual Reports

Parents are required to maintain a record of the child’s progress. More importantly, Hawaii requires an Annual Progress Report to be submitted to the local school principal by the end of each school year. This report must include:

• A score on a nationally-normed standardized achievement test (required for grades 3, 5, 8, and 10);
• Or a progress report from a certified teacher;
• Or a narrative evaluation by the parent (for non-testing years) that includes samples of the student’s work.

5. Standardized Testing (Grades 3, 5, 8, and 10)

Testing is a critical part of Hawaii’s homeschool compliance. In these specific grades, students must participate in a standardized test. You have several options:

• The student may take the statewide testing program (Smarter Balanced Assessment) at the local public school for free.
• The student may take a private nationally-normed standardized test (like the Iowa, Stanford, or California Achievement Test) at the parent’s expense.
• A parent-developed assessment may be used if it is approved by the local school principal.

Step-by-Step Compliance Guide

1. Submit the Notice of Intent: Download Form RS 01-1188 from the HIDOE website and submit it to your local school principal.
2. Plan Your Curriculum: Ensure your plan covers all the state-mandated subjects for your child’s grade level.
3. Instruction: Provide the required 180 days of instruction. While the state doesn’t strictly track hours, the program must be “equivalent” to the public school year.
4. Annual Reporting: At the end of every school year, submit your progress report to the local principal.
5. Schedule Testing: If your child is in grade 3, 5, 8, or 10, ensure you schedule a standardized test in the spring and include the results in your annual report.

Education Savings Accounts (ESA) and School Choice

As of the current 2023-2024 period, Hawaii does not offer Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), vouchers, or tax credit scholarships for homeschoolers. Education funding in Hawaii remains primarily directed toward the public school system, and families choosing to homeschool must bear the full cost of their curriculum, testing, and educational materials.

Essential Resources

• Hawaii Department of Education Homeschooling Page
• Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 8, Chapter 12
• HSLDA Hawaii Page
• CRHE Hawaii Page