The materials on the CHASE SC web site, CHASE SC resources, any posts, or communications in any form are for informational purposes only.
This material is not intended to be, and does not constitute the giving of legal advice.
For information about the laws and regulations in this state, please contact your own attorney.
 

59-65-47 - “parents or guardians may teach their children at home”
This shows us who can homeschool their children at home.

Parents or guardians may teach their children at home if they have at least a high school diploma or the equivalent general educational development (GED) certificate.

59-65-47 - “c) the curriculum includes, but is not limited to,”
You must teach at least the subjects listed, but you are not limited to teaching just those subjects.

59-65-47 - “the basic instructional areas of reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies,”
The subjects required for all students are reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies.

The parent-teacher or guardian is required to teach reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies.

Yes, a co-op, tutor, or educational class may teach supplemental information, if the parent- teacher is teaching the basic instructional areas of reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies.
Examples:
Solar Energy is taught in co-op and parent-teacher teaches Earth Science for the school year.
Tutor assists student with a division and the parent-teacher teaches other math skills.
Educational Class covers Physical Science and the parent- teacher or guardian teaches Basic Science.

Yes, a co-op, tutor, or educational class may teach extra curricular classes.
Examples:
Home Economics
Foreign Language
Sign Language
Art
PE
Cooking
Child Care

No, a co-op, tutor, or educational class may not teach the homeschool student exclusively, the parent-teacher or guardian must teach the homeschool student the basic instructional areas of reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies.

Yes, someone else may teach your homeschool student an advance math, science, or other subject. However, you the parent-teacher or guardian must still cover the subject if it is in the area the basic instructional areas of reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies.

Please consult your private attorney or HSLDA for further clarification.

If you homeschool under Section 59-65-47, neither Section 59-65-40 nor Section 59-65-45 apply to you. This means that you do not have to homeschool a certain number of hours. Each child and homeschool are unique. Each child has their own learning style and each home school utilizes the curriculum best suited for their homeschool. Each home school determines how long each school day is.

Homeschoolers under the third option have the freedom to set up their school year in any manner they please, because the school year does not need to conform to the traditional school schedule of August-May.

For instance, if you wanted to school year round you could school 5 days a week for 3 weeks and take every fourth week off. This year round plan would still leave you with 4 extra weeks for Christmas and/or vacations.

There are 365 days in a year (366 on Leap Years). You may choose to homeschool on any day of the year.

However to help maintain records and close out files at the end of an instructional year each association has a year ending date in which you should have your 180 days completed by.  Some associations will allow you to continue your school year beyond their year end closing date so that year round homeschoolers can maintain their year round approach. 

Homeschoolers moving to SC from out-of-state, year round homeschoolers, those with a personal crisis, or family emergencies usually can receive an extension on a case by case basis from their third option association. You should present your situation to your association to receive an extension or exception if they do not allow the year round homeschooling approach.

Additionally, each homeschool chooses the hours in which they will homeschool. Some families prefer to school early in the morning, some in the afternoon, some in the evening, some do a split day schooling approach, and some will use a combination which will vary throughout the school year. Each homeschool, and the students that are within that homeschool are unique, we are lucky that we can do what works best for our families.

According to 59-65-47, “c ) the curriculum includes, but is not limited to, the basic instructional areas of reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies, and in grades seven through twelve, composition and literature;”

You must teach the minimum of reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies, and in grades seven through twelve, composition and literature. However, you choose or can make the curriculum you want and need to accomplish the task.

According to 59-65-47, “d) educational records shall be maintained by the parent-teacher”
The law is very specific and clear here it doesn’t say may, can or if you choose to it says shall be. The parent-teacher must maintain these records.

According to 59-65-47,
“(d) educational records shall be maintained by the parent-teacher and include:

(1) a plan book, diary, or other record indicating subjects taught and activities in which the student and parent-teacher engage;

(2) a portfolio of samples of the student's academic work; and

(3) a semi-annual progress report including attendance records and “individualized documentation of the student's academic progress in each of the basic instructional areas specified

No, you are not required to give letter grades to any homeschool student, and that includes those homeschool students in high school.

According to 59-65-47, “individualized documentation of the student's academic progress in each of the basic instructional areas specified in item c ) above.”

You the parent-teacher decide whether you will use notes, pass/fail system, satisfactory/unsatisfactory system, a letter grading system, or any other system you choose or design to provide that individualized documentation. Additionally you choose if you will or will not use the SC Letter grade scale during the high school years.

3. If they ask to see you in person, let them know that you will consult your 59-65-47, third option, accountability association, CHASE SC, about their request. Or HSLDA, if you are a member.

4. Let them know that they may email CHASE SC, for verification of your membership.

1. If you are a HSLDA member call them immediately. If you are not, then call CHASE SC immediately, and let us know that an official is at your door.

2. Ask if the official has a search warrant. If not, you do not have to give permission to allow them in the house. If a police officer states he is investigating an emergency situation, then they may enter without the search warrant.

3. Be a good listener - it is better to listen than to volunteer information.

4. Ask questions -

5. If an official with a police officer insist on coming into your house, you tell them nice and calmly - "I am closing the door, it is not locked, you do not have my permission to come in. If you open the door and come in, I have not allowed you. You are doing so illegally; according to Calabretta V. Floyd, a Civil Rights Lawsuit, and I will seek legal action."

Testing is required only under Section 59-65-40; therefore, testing is only required by state law if you go through the school board of the district you reside in. However, each umbrella association decides whether testing is or is not required. CHASE SC does not require testing. If an association requires testing they will tell you what kind and where you can have your child/children tested.

For a list of testing resources please visit our Testing page.

No, you are not required by law or CHASE SC to name your homeschool. Some associations however, may require you to name your homeschool.

There is no limit on the amount or types of field trips. However, you should document their educational merit in your plan/record book. 

There are no special requirements for homeschooling a special needs child in SC! Please visit our Special Needs/Resources page for more information on homeschooling special needs children.

1. If your child has not previously been enrolled in a school it is not necessary to contact your local school. However, you must comply with SC's homeschooling laws for accountability. See SC Homeschool Law.
2. Go to the school and let them know that you will be homeschooling and let them know whom you are enrolled with to homeschool (school district 59-65-40, SCAIHS 59-65-45, or the name of the umbrella association you are a member of 59-65-47). Take a copy of the law and proof of membership with the umbrella association (do not allow them to copy your documents, keep them on your person, in your hands, and show them that you are legally homeschooling with an accountability association.) Ask for a copy of your child's records.
OR
3. You may ask the district, or your umbrella association to send for your records if this service is available through them. If the school year has already started you must call and let the school know that you are homeschooling and the name of the district or umbrella association that will send for your records.
OR
4. You may send them a letter. See the To School or District sample letter.

1. You should make sure the student takes a standardized test (most schools will accept these scores for elementary and middle school). Taking the test later in the year gives the student the advantage of more time to study and learn. However, be aware that it takes 6 - 8 weeks to receive the test scores.

2. Any parent of a High School student entering with (homeschooled) High School credits should contact the school district, public school, or private school and obtain in writing what criteria will be used to assess these credits. Some questions to have answered are: a) What credits will they accept; b) What standardized testing they require; c) What documentation you will have to provide.

3. The school may request from CHASE SC verification of membership. The parent-teacher will be responsible for all records/documentation for their children-student(s).

4. Gather together your records/documentation and organize it in an orderly fashion so you will be prepared to offer copies of any needed documentation.

Yes, you may homeschool your foster children according to 59-65-46. However, you must have approval from the Department of Social Services or other agency having custody of the child/ren.

Please realize that as homeschooler you do not have to choose to follow the SC Public School Diploma Requirements. You may decide to teach only the required core subjects in 59-65-47 (plus the extras you already add to your homeschooling plan) or you may consult several colleges to aid you in formulating your requirements for high school graduation. Each college has it's own required subjects and standards, it is our job as homeschooling parents to research with our children the requirements for the college(s) that they want to attend.

The law that specifically states the responsibility of the parent or guardian to their child or ward in regards to school attendance.

As per the law, "five years of age before September first until the child or ward attains his seventeenth birthday or graduates from high school."

Those as stated in section 59-65-30 listed below.

SECTION 59-65-30.
Exceptions.
The provisions of this article do not apply to:
(a) A child who has been graduated from high school or has received the equivalent of a high school education from a school approved by the State Board of Education, or member school of South Carolina Independent Schools' Association, or a private school in existence at the time of the passage of this article;
(b) A child who obtains a certificate from a psychologist certified by the State Department of Education or from a licensed physician stating that he is unable to attend school because of a physical or mental disability, provided there are no suitable special classes available for such child in the school district where he resides;
(c) A child who has completed the eighth grade and who is determined by the court to be legally and gainfully employed whose employment is further determined by such court to be necessary for the maintenance of his home;
(d) [Reserved]
(e) A student who has a child and who is granted a temporary waiver from attendance by the district's attendance supervisor or his designee. The district attendance supervisor may grant a temporary waiver only if he determines that suitable day care is unavailable. The student must consult with the district supervisor or his designee in a timely manner to consider all available day care options or the district shall consider the student to be in violation of this chapter.
(f) A child who has reached the age of sixteen years and whose further attendance in school, vocational school, or available special classes is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be disruptive to the educational program of the school, unproductive of further learning, or not in the best interest of the child, and who is authorized by the court to enter into suitable gainful employment under the supervision of the court until age seventeen is attained. However, prior to being exempted from the provisions of this article, the court may first require that the child concerned be examined physically and tested mentally to assist the court to determine whether or not gainful employment would be more suitable for the child than continued attendance in school. The examination and testing must be conducted by the Department of Youth Services or by any local agency which the court determines to be appropriate. The court shall revoke the exemption provided in this item upon a finding that the child fails to continue in his employment until reaching the age of seventeen years.

Yes, see section 59-65-20 listed below.

SECTION 59-65-20.
Penalty for failure to enroll or cause child to attend school.
Any parent or guardian who neglects to enroll his child or ward or refuses to make such child or ward attend school shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than fifty dollars or be imprisoned not more than thirty days; each day's absence shall constitute a separate offense; provided, the court may in its discretion suspend the sentence of anyone convicted of the provisions of this article.

You may visit Questions About the Kindergarten Waiver for information on the Kindergarten Waiver.

CHASE SC offers all Christian and non Christian home schools in South Carolina FREE Membership.

 We accept applications that are postmarked from July 1st through August 31st, each school year.