CURRENT GRADE: F
Nebraska does not have any options for education choice.
Homeschooling requires more than just notification and include vaccination requirements.
Compulsory education is required for ages 6-17.
Education Options
- Nebraska Education Scholarships
- Only lasted for one year.
- Provided scholarships to 3,972 students.
- Nebraska does not permit charter schools.
Homeschooling Laws
Here are state requirements for homeschooling:
- Must file annually with local school district to receive “exempt” status to homeschool.
- Parents must provide 1,032 hours of instruction (elementary grades) or 1,080 hours of instruction (secondary grades) for the school year.
- Must submit certified copy of child’s birth certificate.
- Must file a “statement of election and assurances” that you will comply with all required instruction.
- If you indicate homeschooling for nonreligious reasons, you must comply with vaccination requirements unless you have an exemption.
- Homeschooled students may only participate in public school sports if they are enrolled in a minimum of 10 credit hours per semester in public school.
Religious Exemptions:
There is no standard procedure by which a parent can receive a religious exemption to homeschool.
The First Amendment states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Many argue that a religious conviction to provide a home-based education is constitutionally protected and a state religious exemption law is not a requirement to be able to homeschool on religious grounds.
It should be noted that the U.S. Supreme Court in Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) established that “Under the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment, a state law requiring that children attend school past eighth grade violates the parents’ constitutional right to direct the religious upbringing of their children.” (The case involved a challenge of a 16-year-old student to be exempt, so the scope was limited)
