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Arkansas compliance

AI-paraphrased summaries of Arkansas education law. Every section links back to the official state source. Not legal advice.

Regulation level Low
Legal status Legal
Compulsory ages 5 – 18

ARS-15-2401 — ARS-15-2401

This Arizona statute defines key terms related to education, including "annual education plan," "curriculum," and "qualified student," among others. For homeschooling families, it clarifies eligibility criteria for programs like the Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA), which provides funding for educational expenses if certain requirements are met (e.g., having a child with a disability, attending a low-performing school, or meeting other specific conditions). If your family qualifies, this statute ensures you have access to resources and flexibility to support your child’s education.

For families: Congratulations on starting your homeschooling journey! In Arizona, the law requires parents to create an annual education plan for their child if they qualify under specific criteria, such as having a disability or meeting other eligibility requirements. This plan is simply a way to ensure your child’s educational needs are being met and reviewed each year. Rest assured, the process is manageable, and there are many resources available to guide you through creating a curriculum and meeting the state’s requirements. You’ve got this, and we’re here to help every step of the way!

Key requirements

  • Develop an initial individualized evaluation and annual reviews for qualified students meeting specific criteria to determine ongoing eligibility until age 22.
  • Ensure the curriculum includes a course of study for content areas or grade levels, including supplemental materials approved by the Department of Education.
  • Qualified schools must be nongovernmental primary or secondary schools or preschools for pupils with disabilities located in Arizona or within two miles of the state border for students residing on Indian reservations.
  • Qualified schools must not discriminate based on race, color, or national origin.
  • Qualified students must be Arizona residents.
  • Qualified students must meet at least one of the eligibility criteria specified in the statute, such as having a disability, attending a low-performing school, being a child of an active-duty military parent, or meeting other specific conditions.
  • Kindergarten students enrolled in Arizona online instruction must log at least 100 hours of instruction to be eligible.
  • First, second, and third grade students enrolled in Arizona online instruction must log at least 200 hours of instruction to be eligible.
  • Fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students enrolled in Arizona online instruction must log at least 250 hours of instruction to be eligible.
  • Seventh and eighth grade students enrolled in Arizona online instruction must log at least 275 hours of instruction to be eligible.
  • High school students enrolled in Arizona online instruction must log at least 250 hours of instruction to be eligible.
  • Students must have attended a governmental primary or secondary school for at least 45 days of the current or prior fiscal year and transferred to an Arizona empowerment scholarship account, unless otherwise exempt.
  • Students who previously participated in an Arizona empowerment scholarship account are eligible.
  • Students who received a scholarship under section 43-1505 and continue to attend a qualified school are eligible if they attended a governmental school for at least 90 days or one full semester before attending the qualified school.
  • Students who attended a nonpublic school for pupils with disabilities in the prior year, with placement approved by the Department of Education and contracted by a public school district, are eligible.
  • Students who have not previously attended a governmental school but are eligible to enroll in a kindergarten program or a program for preschool children with disabilities are eligible.
  • Students must meet age requirements for kindergarten eligibility, including being at least five years old on January 1 of the current school year and under seven years old.

Common mistakes

  • Failing to submit an annual education plan: Families often neglect to develop and submit the required individualized evaluation and annual reviews to determine ongoing eligibility for their child, as outlined in the statute.
  • Misunderstanding curriculum requirements: Parents may fail to use a course of study that aligns with the content areas or grade levels approved by the Arizona Department of Education, leading to non-compliance.
  • Overlooking eligibility criteria for qualified students: Families sometimes misinterpret or overlook the specific eligibility requirements for their child to be considered a 'qualified student,' such as disability identification or prior school attendance requirements.
  • Not maintaining adequate records of instructional hours: Parents may fail to log the required instructional hours for students enrolled in Arizona online instruction programs, which vary by grade level and are necessary for compliance.
  • Neglecting to verify the status of a qualified school: Families may enroll their child in a school that does not meet the definition of a 'qualified school' under the statute, such as one that is not located in Arizona or discriminates based on race, color, or national origin.

Last updated Jul 25, 2026 · Official source →

ARS-15-802 — ARS-15-802

If you're homeschooling in Arizona, this statute requires you to file an "affidavit of intent to homeschool" with your county school superintendent within 30 days of starting homeschooling. The affidavit includes basic information like your child's name, birthdate, and address, and you only need to refile if you stop and later resume homeschooling. You are also responsible for teaching core subjects like reading, grammar, math, social studies, and science, but beyond filing the affidavit, the state does not impose additional oversight or testing requirements, so you have flexibility in how you educate your child.

For families: Congratulations on starting your homeschooling journey! In Arizona, homeschooling is a straightforward process. If your child is between 6 and 16 years old, you’ll need to file an **Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool** with your county school superintendent within 30 days of starting. This form includes basic information like your child’s name, date of birth, and your contact details. Once filed, you’re all set to provide instruction in subjects like reading, grammar, math, social studies, and science. Don’t worry—it’s manageable, and there are plenty of resources and support available to help you succeed!

Key requirements

  • Provide instruction to every child between the ages of six and sixteen in reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies, and science.
  • Choose one of the following educational options for the child: public school, private school, charter school, homeschool, or an Arizona empowerment scholarship account.
  • If the child attends a public, private, or charter school, ensure the child is enrolled and attends full-time while school is in session.
  • Provide verifiable documentation of residency in Arizona for students enrolling in public or charter schools.
  • If the child attends a private school or homeschool, file an affidavit of intent with the county school superintendent within 30 days of starting.
  • Include the following information in the affidavit of intent: the child's name, date of birth, current school address, and the names, telephone numbers, and addresses of the custodial persons.
  • If homeschooling is delayed until the child turns eight years old, file an affidavit of intent stating the intent to delay instruction.
  • Notify the county school superintendent within 30 days if private school or homeschool instruction is terminated.
  • File a new affidavit of intent within 30 days if private school or homeschool instruction is resumed after termination.
  • A child is exempt from mandatory school attendance if they are physically or mentally unable to attend school.
  • A child is exempt from mandatory school attendance if they have completed the high school course of study necessary for grade ten.
  • A child is exempt from mandatory school attendance if they present satisfactory reasons for nonattendance to the school principal or designee.
  • A child is exempt from mandatory school attendance if they are over fourteen years old and employed in a lawful wage-earning occupation with custodial consent.
  • A child is exempt from mandatory school attendance if they are enrolled in a work training, career education, vocational education, or similar program approved by the Department of Education.
  • A child is exempt from mandatory school attendance if they have been suspended without being directed to an alternative education program or have been expelled.
  • A child is exempt from mandatory school attendance if they are enrolled in an education program provided by a state educational or other institution.
  • A parent or custodian who does not provide instruction, enroll the child in a school, or sign an empowerment scholarship account contract is guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor.
  • A parent or custodian who fails to file an affidavit of intent to homeschool is guilty of a petty offense.
  • If a child is educated under an empowerment scholarship account, the Department of Education must provide a list of participating students to the county school superintendent.

Common mistakes

  • Failing to file the affidavit of intent within 30 days of beginning homeschool instruction, as required by subsection B(2).
  • Not including all required information in the affidavit of intent, such as the child's name, date of birth, current address, and the names, telephone numbers, and addresses of the custodial parent or guardian.
  • Neglecting to notify the county school superintendent within 30 days of terminating homeschool instruction, as required by subsection C.
  • Misunderstanding the age requirements for starting homeschool instruction, particularly for children who have not reached eight years of age by September 1 of the school year, as outlined in subsection B(3).
  • Failing to provide instruction in the required subjects of reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies, and science, as mandated by subsection A.

Last updated Jul 25, 2026 · Official source →

ARS-15-802-01 — ARS-15-802-01

This Arizona statute allows homeschooled children to participate in sports and other interscholastic activities at their local public school, as long as they meet the same requirements as enrolled students, such as age eligibility, behavior standards, and physical condition. The homeschooling parent must provide written confirmation that the child is passing their courses and progressing satisfactorily. If a child switches to homeschooling mid-school year after attending a public, private, or charter school, they cannot participate in interscholastic activities for the rest of that school year, but they can join the following year.

For families: Great news! In Arizona, your homeschooled child has the opportunity to participate in interscholastic activities, like sports or clubs, at their local public school. To get started, you'll just need to provide a simple written verification stating that your child is passing their courses and making progress in their studies—something you're already keeping track of as their teacher! The school will apply the same rules for eligibility, fees, and behavior as they do for enrolled students, so your child will be on a level playing field. It’s a wonderful way for them to connect with peers and explore their interests, and you’ve got this!

Key requirements

  • Allow homeschooled children residing within a public school's attendance area to try out for interscholastic activities at that public school.
  • Ensure registration, age eligibility, fees, insurance, transportation, physical condition, qualifications, responsibilities, event schedules, standards of behavior, and performance policies for homeschooled students are consistent with those for enrolled students.
  • Require the primary instructor of a homeschooled child to submit written verification of the student's passing grades in each course or subject being taught.
  • Require the primary instructor of a homeschooled child to submit written verification of the student's satisfactory progress toward advancement or promotion.
  • Prohibit homeschooled children who were previously enrolled in a public, private, or charter school from participating in interscholastic activities for the remainder of the school year in which they were enrolled.
  • Prohibit school districts from contracting with private entities that supervise interscholastic activities if those entities prohibit homeschooled children from participating in interscholastic activities at public, private, or charter schools.

Common mistakes

  • Failing to submit written verification of passing grades and satisfactory progress for the homeschooled student as required by the statute.
  • Misunderstanding the eligibility restriction for homeschooled students who were previously enrolled in a public, private, or charter school during the same school year.
  • Not adhering to the public school's policies for registration, fees, insurance, transportation, physical condition, and behavior standards, which are required for participation in interscholastic activities.
  • Assuming that a private entity supervising interscholastic activities can prohibit homeschooled students from participating, despite the statute explicitly forbidding such contracts.
  • Neglecting to confirm that the student resides within the attendance area of the public school they wish to participate in interscholastic activities for.

Last updated Jul 25, 2026 · Official source →

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