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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I home-school my child?

Yes, if the answer to each of the following questions is "yes":

1. Are you the child's parent(s) or legal guardian(s)?
2. Is your child between the ages of 7 and 18?

Whom do I contact if I want to home school my child?

If your child resides in Linn, Benton, or Lincoln counties, contact the Linn Benton Lincoln Education Service District (LBL) at 541-812-2687 or homeschool@lblesd.k12.or.us. The home school staff will explain the process to you and send you a home school packet, including a notification form. Completing this form lets us know you are home schooling your child. Within 90 days of the time we get your notification form, we'll send you an acknowledgement letter to let you know that your child is officially enrolled in home school.

When do I submit the Home School Notification form?

You must notify LBL of your intentions to home school within 10 days of withdrawing your child from public or private school. If your child has never attended school, you must notify us of your intentions to home school once the child is seven years old. Within 90 days of the time we receive your notification, we will send you an acknowledgment letter and let you know when test results will be due for your child. LBL must be notified only once of your intent to home school.

What if I decide to send my child back to school or change placement?

This is not a problem. Notify LBL of any changes in your child's educational placement. You can do this by phone, email, fax, letter or in person.

Who has responsibility for my child's education once I start home schooling?

Parents have full responsibility for and freedom to design their student’s education. The decision to home school means that YOU the parent must have a plan in place for what you are going to teach and where you are going to get the materials.

Who selects and pays for curriculum and instructional materials that my home schooled child receives?

Parents or guardians are responsible for selecting and purchasing all curricular and instructional materials to be used during home schooling. LBL maintains a list of private home school associations and support groups that can provide information on curriculum and instruction. Public libraries or resident school districts may have some curriculum and instructional materials available for home school students.

How do I monitor my child's progress?

Home school students are required to take nationally normed assessment tests. Under Oregon Law, "Testing for grade levels 3, 5, 8, and 10 shall occur in the third, fifth, eighth, and tenth year ending August 15." Tests approved for assessment of home school students are the two most recent versions of the following tests: California Achievement Test (CAT/5 and TerraNova 2nd/CAT/6 edition); Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (TerraNova 1st /CTBS edition and TerraNova 2nd/CAT/6 edition); IOWA Tests of Basic Skills / Tests of Achievement and Proficiency (ITBS forms A and B); Metropolitan Achievement Battery (MAT 7 and MAT 8); Stanford Achievement Test Battery (Stanford9 and Stanford10). Tests must be given by a qualified and neutral person.

It is the responsibility of the parents or guardians to make arrangements for the purchasing, taking, and scoring of a test and then submitting the scores to us. Special testing rules exist for students with disabilities. See Assessment of Home School Students with Disabilities, or call our office for more information.

When do I give the LBL my child's test scores?

Upon request, test scores must be submitted for each student involved in home schooling. LBL requests test results for all home schooled students no later than September 30th following the end of a child's 3rd, 5th, 8th, or 10th grade year.

LBL may not request test results until at least 18 months after a child has begun to home school. If your child completes the 3rd, 5th, 8th, or 10th grade during this 18-month window of time, test results will not be requested until the next applicable grade level.

Can home schooled students participate in any public school activities?

Yes. Parents or guardians can make arrangements with their resident public school district for home school students to participate in interscholastic/extracurricular activities or attend public school on a part-time or limited basis.

Home school students establishing eligibility for interscholastic activities (athletics, music, speech, etc) must test annually at the end of each school year (prior to August 15th) because test scores are used to determine eligibility for the following year. Parents need to submit these test results directly to their resident school district. For more information visit our website or call our office.

LBL is not involved in making or overseeing such arrangements and interested parents or guardians should contact their resident public school district.

Does my home schooled child receive a high school diploma?

Although home schooled students may participate in limited public school activities, they are not eligible for graduation and do not receive high school diplomas unless prior arrangements are made through individual districts, schools, correspondence or online private schools, or a community college. Home School Graduation Equivalency.

Is my home schooled child eligible to participate in GED classes and testing?

Yes. Home schooled students over the age of 16 are eligible to participate in GED classes and testing. Contact your local community college for additional information. Home School Students Pursuing GED.

Is LBL available to assist my home schooling efforts?

Definitely. LBL collects and disseminates information that may be useful to parents, guardians, and students involved in home schooling. This includes information on testing, support groups, and applicable Oregon law. Please browse our website or call our office for more information.

Are students with identified learning disabilities eligible for home schooling?

Yes. Students with identified learning disabilities are eligible for home schooling and may be eligible for other educational opportunities as well. Home School Students with Disabilities, or call our office for more information.

What happens if I am out of compliance with home school laws?

Students who are not in compliance with notification and testing requirements for home school are no longer exempt from public school attendance and are considered truant. It is important that parents or guardians keep up with appropriate requirements.