If you live in Colorado and are currently homeschooling, then you’re already somewhat familiar with the legal requirements. But how much do you really know? Take this short quiz to find out!
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Once you’ve taken the quiz, come back here to see the answers!
QUIZ ANSWERS
But wait — don’t peek until you’ve taken the quiz above! Then read on for answers and explanations to each (answers are in red text).
1. What are the legal options for homeschooling in Colorado?
- Under parent or adult relative with a current Colorado teaching license
- Home-Based Education Law — Filing a Notice of Intent (NOI) to homeschool with a Colorado school district
- Non-Public School Law — Enrolling in a private (“umbrella” or “independent”) school located in Colorado that allows you to teach your children at home
- All of the above
Click here to learn more about all three of these options.
2. At what age (as of August 1st) is a child’s parent required to submit an NOI or enroll them in an independent school?
- Age 5
- Age 6
- Age 7
- Age 8
When a child is at the age of 6 or older by August 1st, parents are required to enroll them in school or follow the law for homeschooling options. Learn more on our Colorado law page.
3. If you live in Colorado and plan to enroll in a private/independent/umbrella school, where must that school be located?
- Anywhere in the USA
- Anywhere in the world
- In the state of Colorado
- In your school district
4. Which legal homeschooling option lists “Honor and Use of the Flag” as a required subject?
- Home-Based Education Law (Homeschool Law or NOI)
- Non-Public School Law (Independent schools)
- Under a licensed teacher
- All of the above
All students enrolled in private, umbrella, or independent schools are required to learn flag etiquette. Did you know CHEC offers a Flag Etiquette workbook to help you complete this requirement? Purchase it here.
5. Which of the following credentials would qualify a person to be able to professionally evaluate a student in Colorado? (mark all that apply)
- Has a current Colorado teacher’s license
- Is employed by an independent or parochial school
- Is a licensed psychologist
- Has a graduate degree in education
Under the Home-Based Education Law, students in 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, and 11th grade are required to complete a standardized test or professional evaluation and submit those records to the district where their NOI is on file (or to another private school). Learn more here about testing requirements under the Home-Based Education Law.
If you are instead enrolled in an independent school under the Non-Public School Law, check your school policies. Learn more here about the CHEC Independent School requirements (and the exclusive option for a Parent Evaluation).
6. If your family follows the Non-Public School Law and you are enrolled in a private/independent school, how often do immunization records or exemptions need to be submitted?
- Every six months
- Only once, when you enroll
- Every school year
- Dependent on the school’s policies
Learn more here about Non-Public School Law, or learn more about the CHEC Independent School policies here.
7. According to both the Home-Based Education Law and the Non-Public School Law, how many days of instruction are required every school year?
- 162 days
- 172 days
- 182 days
- 192 days
Additionally, if you follow the Home-Based Education Law, you are required to complete an average of 4 hours of school per day. Non-Public School Law only requires the 172 days. Look at the comparison between the two law options here.
8. Under the Home-Based Education Law, who can legally sign a student’s diploma when they graduate high school?
- The student’s parents
- The private or independent school in which the student is enrolled
- The Colorado Department of Education
- The local public school principal
The head of the school — in this case, homeschool — has the legal authority to sign the diploma to certify completion of the homeschool high school course. Learn more here about the Home-Based Education Law.
9. What documentation is required for all homeschooling families to file with the State of Colorado?
- Immunization records (or an exemption)
- Test records
- Attendance records
- None of the above
Under Colorado Law, families are not required to submit anything to the State of Colorado. (Instead, families file with either school districts or private schools, depending on the option they choose to follow. Learn more here.)
10. When choosing the option to homeschool by enrolling in a private/independent “umbrella” school, does the school file a NOI on your behalf?
- Yes, the school will take care of it for you
- No, private/independent “umbrella” schools follow the non-public school law, not the home-based education law, and are not required to file an NOI for their students.
11. When you are enrolled in a non-public private/independent “umbrella” school, should you also file a NOI with your school district?
- Yes, it’s required by law.
- Yes, it’s good to have all your bases covered.
- No, you are now under the non-public school law and are not required to follow the home-based education law.
12. What laws are a non-public private/independent “umbrella” school required to follow?
- Home-based education law
- Non-public school law
- Public school law
We hope this is helpful for you! Still have questions? Contact us.
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Thank you for updating me on this information.
I’ve read over the full Colorado Homeschool Law, as well as the sub-section for Non-Public Schools, and I don’t see anywhere where the law requires families to give updated immunizations every year, as you note is the answer for question #6. The law simply says “C.R.S. 25-1-107(1)(m) The school must meet health standards.”
I would appreciate any insight you can offer on this question from your quiz. Thank you!
So glad that you want to know what the actual law says. Kudos! I hope you will look up the statutes I reference below.
If you want to know how the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) interprets the law, here is a link to their rules and regs: https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=7698&fileName=6%20CCR%201009-2
Under Colorado immunization law (CRS 25-4-901, 25-4-902, 25-4-903) all schools are required to maintain up-to-date immunization records for each student enrolled in their school. In this instance, the definition of school includes private or independent schools. Each school year is a new enrollment and requires submission of up-to-date records to the school.
The homeschool law, on the other hand, requires parents to keep their own immunization records and states “immunization records, as required by sections 25-4-901, 25-4-902, and 25-4-903” (from CRS 22-33-104.5 under subsection 3, letter g).
Both options are required to keep up-to-date immunization records (including exemption statements) on file.