KS ·
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No fixed hours/days in statute; instruction must be for a period 'substantially equivalent' to public schools.
Kansas has no specific homeschool statute; homeschools operate as 'non-accredited private schools.' Compulsory attendance applies to ages 7 to 18 (a child age 16-17 may be exempted by parental consent under certain conditions). Requirements: (1) register the school with the State Board of Education as a non-accredited private school; (2) instruction by a 'competent' instructor (the parent qualifies); (3) instruction for a period substantially equivalent to public schools; (4) instruction that is planned and scheduled. Kansas does NOT mandate standardized testing, specific subjects, teacher certification, or curriculum approval. HSLDA notes 'periodic testing' is advisable because case law (e.g., handling of compulsory-attendance cases) weighs planning, scheduling, and periodic testing — but no specific test or grade levels are required by law.
Kansas treats homeschools as non-accredited private schools. Parents must register the school's name and address, plus the name and address of the 'custodian of records,' with the Kansas State Board of Education (KSDE) via a free, one-time registration form. There is no approval process or annual renewal. Registration is generally required only once (first year). No state approval of curriculum is required.
No statutory recordkeeping mandate, but strongly advised: keep the non-accredited private school registration form in permanent records, plus attendance, planned/scheduled lesson plans, and periodic test/progress records. Courts assessing compulsory-attendance compliance consider whether instruction was planned, scheduled, and periodically tested.
- No subjects specified by statute
· Kansas English Language Arts Standards (2023 revision; historically the Kansas College and Career Ready Standards for ELA, CCSS-ELA based) · 102
| K | RF.K.1 | Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print. |
| K | RF.K.2 | Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes). |
| K | RF.K.3 | Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. |
| K | RF.K.4 | Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding. |
| K | RI.K.1 | With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text. |
| K | RI.K.2 | With prompting and support, identify the main topic and retell key details of a text. |
| K | RI.K.5 | Identify the front cover, back cover, and title page of a book. |
| K | RL.K.1 | With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text. |
| K | RL.K.11 | Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on Kindergarten reading and content. |
| K | RL.K.2 | With prompting and support, retell familiar stories, including key details. |
| K | RL.K.3 | With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story. |
| K | SL.K.1 | Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about Kindergarten topics and texts. |
| K | SL.K.7 | Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when speaking. |
| K | W.K.1 | Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose opinion pieces. |
| K | W.K.10 | Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing. |
| K | W.K.11 | Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. |
| K | W.K.2 | Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose informative/explanatory texts. |
| K | W.K.3 | Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to narrate a single event or several events. |
| 1 | RF.1.2 | Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and phonemes. |
| 1 | RF.1.3 | Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. |
| 1 | RI.1.2 | Identify the main topic and retell key details of a text. |
| 1 | RI.1.5 | Know and use various text features (e.g., headings, tables of contents, glossaries) to locate facts. |
| 1 | RL.1.1 | Ask and answer questions about key details in a text. |
| 1 | RL.1.2 | Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson. |
| 1 | RL.1.5 | Explain major differences between books that tell stories and books that give information. |
| 1 | SL.1.1 | Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 1 topics and texts. |
| 1 | SL.1.4 | Use relevant details to describe people, places, things, and events, expressing ideas clearly. |
| 1 | W.1.1 | Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or name the book they are writing about. |
| 1 | W.1.10 | Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing. |
| 1 | W.1.3 | Write narratives in which they recount two or more appropriately sequenced events. |
| 2 | RF.2.3 | Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. |
| 2 | RI.2.2 | Identify the main topic of a multi-paragraph text as well as the focus of specific paragraphs. |
| 2 | RI.2.6 | Identify the main purpose of a text, including what the author wants to answer, explain, or describe. |
| 2 | RL.2.1 | Ask and answer who, what, where, when, why, and how questions to demonstrate understanding of key details. |
| 2 | RL.2.5 | Describe the overall structure of a story, including how the beginning introduces and the ending concludes. |
| 2 | SL.2.4 | Tell a story or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details. |
| 2 | W.2.1 | Write opinion pieces introducing the topic/book, stating an opinion, supplying reasons, and providing a conclusion. |
| 2 | W.2.11 | Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. |
| 3 | RF.3.3 | Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. |
| 3 | RF.3.4 | Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension. |
| 3 | RI.3.2 | Determine the main idea of a text; recount the key details and explain how they support the main idea. |
| 3 | RI.3.8 | Describe the logical connection between particular sentences and paragraphs in a text. |
| 3 | RL.3.1 | Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for answers. |
| 3 | RL.3.3 | Describe characters in a story (traits, motivations, feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to events. |
| 3 | SL.3.1 | Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions on grade 3 topics and texts. |
| 3 | SL.3.7 | Demonstrate knowledge of language and command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when speaking. |
| 3 | W.3.1 | Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons. |
| 3 | W.3.10 | Demonstrate knowledge of language and command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage. |
| 3 | W.3.2 | Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly. |
| 3 | W.3.3 | Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences using effective technique and descriptive details. |
| 4 | RF.4.3 | Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. |
| 4 | RF.4.4 | Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension. |
| 4 | SL.4.2 | Paraphrase portions of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats. |
| 4 | SL.4.3 | Identify the reasons and evidence a speaker provides to support particular points. |
| 4 | W.4.1 | Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information. |
| 4 | W.4.3 | Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences using effective technique and descriptive details. |
| 4 | W.4.9 | Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. |
| 5 | RF.5.3 | Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. |
| 6 | RI.6.2 | Determine a central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary. |
| 6 | RI.6.8 | Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, distinguishing supported from unsupported claims. |
| 6 | RL.6.1 | Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. |
| 6 | RL.6.2 | Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details. |
| 6 | RL.6.4 | Determine the meaning of words and phrases as used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings. |
| 6 | RL.6.6 | Explain how an author develops the point of view of the narrator or speaker in a text. |
| 6 | SL.6.1 | Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues. |
| 6 | SL.6.3 | Delineate a speaker's argument and specific claims, distinguishing claims supported by reasons and evidence. |
| 6 | SL.6.7 | Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when speaking. |
| 6 | W.6.1 | Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence. |
| 6 | W.6.2 | Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information. |
| 7 | RL.7.1 | Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of explicit text and inferences. |
| 7 | RL.7.2 | Determine a theme or central idea and analyze its development over the course of the text. |
| 7 | RL.7.3 | Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how setting shapes characters). |
| 7 | SL.7.3 | Delineate a speaker's argument and specific claims, evaluating the soundness of the reasoning and relevance of evidence. |
| 7 | W.7.1 | Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence. |
| 7 | W.7.8 | Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources; assess credibility and accuracy of each source. |
| 8 | RI.8.1 | Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of explicit text and inferences. |
| 8 | W.8.1 | Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence. |
| 8 | W.8.4 | Produce clear and coherent writing in which development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. |
| 9-10 | RI.9-10.1 | Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of explicit text and inferences. |
| 9-10 | RI.9-10.5 | Analyze in detail how an author's ideas or claims are developed and refined by particular sentences, paragraphs, or sections. |
| 9-10 | RI.9-10.8 | Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing validity of reasoning and relevance of evidence. |
| 9-10 | RL.9-10.1 | Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of explicit text and inferences. |
| 9-10 | RL.9-10.2 | Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development. |
| 9-10 | RL.9-10.3 | Analyze how complex characters develop over the course of a text and interact with other characters. |
| 9-10 | RL.9-10.5 | Analyze how an author's choices about structuring a text and ordering events create effects such as mystery or surprise. |
| 9-10 | SL.9-10.1 | Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues. |
| 9-10 | SL.9-10.4 | Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically. |
| 9-10 | SL.9-10.7 | Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when speaking. |
| 9-10 | W.9-10.1 | Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts using valid reasoning and relevant evidence. |
| 9-10 | W.9-10.2 | Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information. |
| 9-10 | W.9-10.7 | Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question or solve a problem. |
| 11-12 | RI.11-12.1 | Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of explicit text and inferences. |
| 11-12 | RI.11-12.6 | Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text in which the rhetoric is particularly effective. |
| 11-12 | RI.11-12.8 | Delineate and evaluate the reasoning in seminal U.S. and world texts, including constitutional principles and legal reasoning. |
| 11-12 | RL.11-12.1 | Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of explicit text and inferences, including determining uncertainties. |
| 11-12 | RL.11-12.2 | Determine two or more themes or central ideas of a text and analyze their development and interaction. |
| 11-12 | RL.11-12.3 | Analyze the impact of the author's choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a story or drama. |
| 11-12 | RL.11-12.9 | Demonstrate knowledge of foundational works of American and world literature, including how two or more treat similar themes. |
| 11-12 | SL.11-12.1 | Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions on grades 11-12 topics, texts, and issues. |
| 11-12 | SL.11-12.3 | Evaluate a speaker's point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric, assessing stance, premises, and tone. |
| 11-12 | SL.11-12.4 | Present information addressing opposing viewpoints, using supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically. |
| 11-12 | W.11-12.3 | Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and structure. |
· Kansas History, Government, and Social Studies (HGSS) Standards (adopted February 2020, revised August 2021) — Kansas-specific, NOT the C3 Framework · 20
| K-12 (Focus: Grade K - Sense of Self) | 1.1 | The student will recognize and evaluate significant choices and consequences that have impacted our lives and futures. |
| K-12 (Focus: Grade K - Sense of Self) | 1.2 | The student will analyze the context and draw conclusions about choices and consequences. |
| K-12 (Focus: Grade K - Sense of Self) | 1.3 | The student will investigate and connect examples of choices and consequences with contemporary issues. |
| K-12 (Focus: Grade K - Sense of Self) | 1.4 | The student will use their understanding of choices and consequences to make a claim or advance a thesis using evidence and argument. |
| K-12 (Focus: Grade 1 - Families) | 2.1 | The student will recognize and evaluate the rights and responsibilities of people living in societies. |
| K-12 (Focus: Grade 1 - Families) | 2.2 | The student will analyze the context and draw conclusions about rights and responsibilities. |
| K-12 (Focus: Grade 1 - Families) | 2.3 | The student will investigate and connect the rights and responsibilities of individuals with contemporary issues. |
| K-12 (Focus: Grade 1 - Families) | 2.4 | The student will use their understanding of rights and responsibilities to make a claim or advance a thesis using evidence and argument. |
| K-12 (Focus: Grade 3 - Communities/Local History) | 3.1 | The student will recognize and evaluate how societies are shaped by the identities, beliefs, and practices of individuals and groups. |
| K-12 (Focus: Grade 3 - Communities/Local History) | 3.2 | The student will analyze context and draw conclusions of how societies are shaped by the identities, beliefs, and practices of individuals and groups. |
| K-12 (Focus: Grade 3 - Communities/Local History) | 3.3 | The student will investigate and connect how societies are shaped by the identities, beliefs, and practices of individuals and groups with contemporary issues. |
| K-12 (Focus: Grade 3 - Communities/Local History) | 3.4 | The student will use their understanding of how societies are shaped by the identities, beliefs, and practices of individuals and groups to make a claim or advance a thesis using evidence and argument. |
| K-12 (Focus: Grade 2 - Then and Now) | 4.1 | The student will recognize and evaluate continuity and change over time. |
| K-12 (Focus: Grade 2 - Then and Now) | 4.2 | The student will analyze the context and draw conclusions about continuity and change. |
| K-12 (Focus: Grade 2 - Then and Now) | 4.3 | The student will investigate and connect continuity and change to a contemporary issue. |
| K-12 (Focus: Grade 2 - Then and Now) | 4.4 | The student will use their understanding of continuity and change to make a claim or advance a thesis using evidence and argument. |
| K-12 (Focus: Grade 4 - Kansas and Regions of the US) | 5.1 | The student will recognize and evaluate dynamic relationships that impact lives in communities, states, and nations. |
| K-12 (Focus: Grade 4 - Kansas and Regions of the US) | 5.2 | The student will analyze the context and draw conclusions about dynamic relationships. |
| K-12 (Focus: Grade 4 - Kansas and Regions of the US) | 5.3 | The student will investigate and connect dynamic relationships to contemporary issues. |
| K-12 (Focus: Grade 4 - Kansas and Regions of the US) | 5.4 | The student will use their understanding of dynamic relationships to make a claim or advance a thesis using evidence and argument. |
Is homeschooling legal in Kansas?
Yes. Kansas has no specific homeschool statute; homeschools operate as 'non-accredited private schools.' Compulsory attendance applies to ages 7 to 18 (a child age 16-17 may be exempted by parental consent under certain conditions).
Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Kansas?
Kansas treats homeschools as non-accredited private schools. Parents must register the school's name and address, plus the name and address of the 'custodian of records,' with the Kansas State Board of Education (KSDE) via a free, one-time registration form. There is no approval process or annual renewal. Registration is generally required only once (first year). No state approval of curriculum is required.
Is standardized testing required for homeschoolers in Kansas?
No annual test is mandated for homeschoolers in Kansas. The state test (Kansas Assessment Program (KAP) — also referred to as the Kansas State Assessments (KSSA)) is not required for home-educated students.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in Kansas?
Kansas requires instruction in: No subjects specified by statute.
Does Kansas have its own learning standards?
Math: Kansas Mathematics Standards (Kansas College and Career Ready Standards for Mathematics, KCCRS-M). ELA: Kansas English Language Arts Standards (2023 revision; historically the Kansas College and Career Ready Standards for ELA, CCSS-ELA based). Science: Kansas Science Standards (Kansas College and Career Ready Standards for Science) — the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) adopted June 2013. Social studies: Kansas History, Government, and Social Studies (HGSS) Standards (adopted February 2020, revised August 2021) — Kansas-specific, NOT the C3 Framework.