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Arizona compliance

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

Regulation level Low
Legal status Legal
Compulsory ages 6 – 16

ARS-15-2401 — ARS-15-2401

This Arizona statute defines key terms related to education, including "qualified student," "curriculum," and "parent," among others. For homeschooling families, it clarifies eligibility requirements for programs like the Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA), which can provide financial support for educational expenses. If your child meets specific criteria, such as having a disability, attending a low-performing school, or meeting other listed qualifications, you may be eligible for this program, offering reassurance that resources are available to support your homeschooling journey.

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 meet specific eligibility criteria, such as having a disability or other qualifying circumstances. This plan involves an initial evaluation and yearly reviews to ensure your child’s educational needs are being met. While the details may seem overwhelming at first, remember that you have resources and support available to guide you through the process. You’ve got this, and your dedication to your child’s education is already making a difference!

Key requirements

  • Develop an initial individualized evaluation and subsequent annual reviews for qualified students to determine ongoing annual eligibility through the school year in which the student reaches 22 years of age.
  • Refer qualified students for eligibility determination under section 36-2981 if applicable.
  • Ensure curriculum is approved by the department of education and includes course of study for content areas or grade levels, along with any required or recommended supplemental materials.
  • Qualified schools must be nongovernmental primary or secondary schools or preschools for pupils with disabilities located in Arizona or within two miles of the border for students residing on Indian reservations.
  • Qualified schools must not discriminate based on race, color, or national origin.
  • Qualified students must be residents of Arizona and meet specific eligibility criteria outlined in the statute.
  • Eligibility criteria for qualified students include: identified as having a disability under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, identified as a child with a disability under sections 15-731 or 15-761, eligible to receive services under section 15-763, or attending a school with a letter grade of D or F.
  • Eligibility criteria also include children of active-duty or deceased members of the armed forces, wards of the juvenile court, siblings of current or previous Arizona empowerment scholarship account recipients, children residing within Indian reservation boundaries, or children of parents who are legally blind or deaf.
  • Qualified students must meet additional requirements, such as attending a governmental primary or secondary school for at least 45 days of the current or prior fiscal year, or meeting specific logged instruction hours for Arizona online instruction.
  • Kindergarten students must receive 100 hours of logged instruction to be eligible for Arizona online instruction.
  • First through third grade students must receive 200 hours of logged instruction to be eligible for Arizona online instruction.
  • Fourth through sixth grade students must receive 250 hours of logged instruction to be eligible for Arizona online instruction.
  • Seventh and eighth grade students must receive 275 hours of logged instruction to be eligible for Arizona online instruction.
  • High school students must receive 250 hours of logged instruction to be eligible for Arizona online instruction.
  • 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 were eligible for an Arizona scholarship for pupils with disabilities 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 are eligible if placement was approved by the department of education and contracted for by a public school district.
  • Children who have not previously attended a governmental school but are eligible to enroll in kindergarten or a program for preschool children with disabilities are eligible.
  • A child is eligible to enroll in kindergarten if they are at least five years old on January 1 of the current school year, under seven years old, have not completed a kindergarten program, and are not enrolled in grade one of a private or governmental school in the current year.

Common mistakes

  • Failing to submit an annual education plan: Parents often overlook the requirement to develop and submit an individualized evaluation and annual review for their qualified student, which is necessary to maintain compliance with the statute.
  • Misunderstanding the eligibility criteria for a 'qualified student': Families may incorrectly assume their child qualifies for homeschooling under the statute without meeting the specific requirements outlined in paragraph 7, such as disability status or prior enrollment in a governmental school.
  • Not meeting the minimum instructional hours for Arizona online instruction: Families using online instruction often fail to log the required hours for their child's grade level, leading to non-compliance.
  • Using unapproved curriculum: Parents sometimes select a course of study or supplemental materials that are not approved by the Arizona Department of Education, which violates the statute's definition of 'curriculum.'
  • Neglecting to maintain proper documentation: Families may fail to keep adequate records of their child's progress, annual education plans, and eligibility criteria, which are essential for demonstrating compliance with the law.

Last updated Oct 23, 2026 · Official source →

ARS-15-802 — ARS-15-802

This Arizona statute outlines the requirements for homeschooling families to comply with state law. If you choose to homeschool, you must file an affidavit of intent with your county school superintendent within 30 days of starting homeschool instruction. The affidavit includes basic information about your child and your family, and you must provide instruction in reading, grammar, math, social studies, and science. Once filed, you only need to update the affidavit if you stop homeschooling and later resume. This process is straightforward and ensures your homeschool is legally recognized.

For families: Congratulations on starting your homeschooling journey! In Arizona, the law requires parents of children aged 6 to 16 to ensure their child receives instruction in reading, grammar, math, social studies, and science. To homeschool, you’ll simply need to file an affidavit of intent with your county school superintendent within 30 days of starting, providing basic information like your child’s name, date of birth, and your contact details. Rest assured, this process is straightforward, and once the affidavit is filed, you’re all set to create a learning experience tailored to your child’s needs. You’ve got this, and we’re here to support you every step of the way!

Key requirements

  • Provide instruction to every child between ages six and sixteen in reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies, and science.
  • Choose a public, private, charter school, homeschool, or an Arizona empowerment scholarship account to provide instruction.
  • If the child attends a public, private, or charter school, enroll the child and ensure attendance for the full time school is in session.
  • Provide verifiable documentation of residency in Arizona for pupils enrolling in public or charter schools.
  • Ensure attendance at year-round schools for at least 180 or 200 school days, or the equivalent approved by the superintendent of public instruction.
  • If the child attends a private school or homeschool, file an affidavit of intent with the county school superintendent.
  • Include the child's name, date of birth, current school address, and names, telephone numbers, and addresses of custodians in the affidavit of intent.
  • File an affidavit of intent within 30 days of starting private school or homeschool instruction.
  • Notify the county school superintendent within 30 days if private school or homeschool instruction is terminated.
  • File another affidavit of intent within 30 days if private school or homeschool instruction is resumed.
  • If the child will attend homeschool and is under eight years old, file an affidavit of intent stating the intent to delay homeschool instruction until the child turns eight.
  • A child may be excused from instruction if physical or mental condition makes instruction impracticable.
  • A child may be excused from instruction if they have completed the high school course of study for grade ten.
  • A child may be excused from instruction for satisfactory reasons approved by the school principal or designee.
  • A child over fourteen years old may be excused from instruction if employed in a lawful wage-earning occupation with consent from the custodian.
  • A child may be excused from instruction if enrolled in an approved work training, career education, vocational education, or manual training program.
  • A child may be excused from instruction if suspended without being directed to an alternative education program.
  • A child may be excused from instruction if expelled from public school.
  • A child may be excused from instruction if enrolled in an education program provided by a state educational or other institution.
  • A parent or custodian who fails to enroll a child in school, provide homeschool instruction, 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 for homeschool instruction is guilty of a petty offense.
  • The Department of Education must provide a list of students participating in empowerment scholarship accounts to the county school superintendent.

Common mistakes

  • Failing to file the affidavit of intent with the county school superintendent within 30 days of beginning homeschool instruction.
  • 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 parents.
  • Neglecting to notify the county school superintendent within 30 days when homeschool instruction is terminated or resumed.
  • Misunderstanding the requirement to provide instruction in the mandated subjects: reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies, and science.
  • Delaying homeschool instruction for children under eight years old without filing the required affidavit stating the intent to delay instruction until the child reaches eight years of age.

Last updated Oct 17, 2026 · Official source →

ARS-15-802-01 — ARS-15-802-01

This Arizona statute ensures that homeschooled children can participate in sports and other interscholastic activities at their local public school, just like enrolled students. Homeschooling families need to provide written confirmation that their child is passing their courses and making progress, and the child must meet the same eligibility rules as public school students. If a child switches from a public, private, or charter school to homeschooling during the school year, they cannot participate in these activities until the next school year.

For families: Arizona law warmly welcomes homeschooled students to participate in interscholastic activities, such as sports or clubs, at their local public school. To get started, you'll need to provide a simple written verification stating that your child is earning passing grades and making satisfactory progress in their homeschool studies. The requirements for participation, like fees, behavior expectations, and physicals, are the same as for public school students, so you'll have clear guidelines to follow. Rest assured, this process is manageable, and it’s a wonderful way for your child to connect with peers and explore extracurricular passions!

Key requirements

  • A homeschooled child residing within the attendance area of a public school must be allowed to try out for interscholastic activities on behalf of that public school.
  • Homeschooled students must meet the same registration, age eligibility requirements, fees, insurance, transportation, physical condition, qualifications, responsibilities, event schedules, standards of behavior, and performance policies as public school students.
  • The primary instructor of a homeschooled child must submit written verification of whether the student is receiving a passing grade in each course or subject being taught.
  • The primary instructor of a homeschooled child must submit written verification of whether the student is maintaining satisfactory progress toward advancement or promotion.
  • A homeschooled child who was previously enrolled in a public, private, or charter school is ineligible to participate in interscholastic activities for the remainder of the school year in which they were enrolled.
  • School districts are prohibited from contracting with private entities supervising 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 the student's passing grades and satisfactory progress as required by the statute.
  • Attempting to have a homeschooled child participate in interscholastic activities during the same school year they were previously enrolled in a public, private, or charter school, which is prohibited.
  • Not adhering to the public school’s policies on age eligibility, fees, insurance, transportation, physical condition, or behavior standards, which must be consistent for all students.
  • Misunderstanding the requirement that the child must reside within the attendance area of the public school they wish to represent in interscholastic activities.
  • Assuming that private entities supervising interscholastic activities can impose additional restrictions on homeschooled students, despite the statute prohibiting such practices.

Last updated Oct 26, 2026 · Official source →

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