Homeschooling in Arkansas

Arkansas combines a simple Notice of Intent process with one of the most generous Education Freedom Account programs in the country. The state's LEARNS Act, signed in 2023, created universal-eligibility EFAs that fund homeschool expenses up to $6,864 per student annually. The general homeschool law itself remains low-regulation: no required testing, no curriculum approval, no portfolio reviews.

Legal framework at a glance

Legal options: One pathway — independent homeschool with annual Notice of Intent (NOI) under A.C.A. §6-15-503.

Notification: Submit a written Notice of Intent to your local school district superintendent annually. The filing window opens June 1 each year. Deadline: August 15..

Instructional time: No specific days or hours mandated.

Required subjects: Reading, writing, and arithmetic, plus other subjects as the parent may choose (broad parental discretion).

Testing and evaluation: No state-mandated standardized testing for general homeschoolers. Annual norm-referenced testing required only for families participating in the LEARNS Act EFA program..

What Arkansas families need to know

Notice of Intent (NOI): file annually with the local school district superintendent between June 1 and August 15. Late filings (after August 15) trigger a 5-day waiting period before a child currently enrolled in public school can begin homeschooling. The NOI must include the child's name, date of birth, grade level, prior school attended (if any), homeschool location, basic curriculum, and parent qualifications.

First-time filing: must be done in person at the local superintendent's office (A.C.A §6-15-503(4)).

Notarization no longer required: the 2019 HB 1867 removed the notarization requirement for driver's permits. Standard NOI filings do not require notarization.

LEARNS Act Education Freedom Accounts (2023, expanded 2025-26): $6,864 per student for the 2025-2026 school year, disbursed quarterly at $1,716 through ClassWallet. Enhanced funding of $7,627 for foster children, military-connected children, and students with disabilities. All families are eligible — no income limits. Apply at arkansasefa.com. EFA participants must take a national norm-referenced test annually.

Tim Tebow Law (2013, expanded): Arkansas homeschool students may participate in athletics and extracurricular activities at their local public school. Later amendments removed the 25-mile proximity restriction for private school activities and allow participation in neighboring districts when the home district does not offer a particular sport or activity. Students must inform the local school district within the first 11 days of the semester.

Special education: homeschool children with disabilities are treated as private school students under IDEA. Eligible for evaluation through the local public school district but not entitled to the same level of services as enrolled students.

Compulsory attendance: ages 5 through 17 (Arkansas's compulsory age starts earlier than most states — if your child turns 5 by August 1, they are subject to compulsory attendance).

Always verify current requirements with the Arkansas Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) before filing any official paperwork. State rules can change.

Diploma recognition

Arkansas recognizes parent-issued homeschool diplomas. The state does not issue diplomas to homeschool students. University of Arkansas, Arkansas State, UCA, and other state institutions accept homeschool transcripts. Note: a homeschool student who later enrolls in a public school district must complete a minimum of nine months at that district to receive a district-issued diploma (A.C.A §6-15-504).

Getting started in Arkansas

If you are new to homeschooling in Arkansas, here is the practical sequence to follow:

1. Read the statute. Visit the Arkansas Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) website and read the current homeschool regulations in full. The summary on this page is a starting point, but the official statute is the final authority.
2. Choose your legal pathway. Arkansas offers specific options described above. Choose the one that fits your family before you file anything.
3. Prepare your notification. Gather the information required for your notice or registration — child's name, date of birth, address, subjects, curriculum plans, and anything else your chosen pathway requires.
4. File before withdrawing. If your child is currently in public school, file your homeschool notification before you send the withdrawal letter to the school. See our withdrawal guide for the full process.
5. Set up your record-keeping system. Even in low-regulation states, keep attendance records, a list of curriculum used, and samples of your child's work. See our record-keeping guide for what to save and how.
6. Connect with a local homeschool organization. Arkansas has active statewide homeschool organizations (listed below) and usually several local co-ops in each region. These are your best source of current, practical information.

Arkansas homeschool organizations

The following organizations provide advocacy, support, and current information for Arkansas homeschool families:

• Education Alliance (formerly HEAR) — Largest statewide homeschool advocacy organization
• HSLDA Arkansas — Legal defense and member support
• Arkansas Christian Home Education Association (ACHEA) — Statewide Christian homeschool support

Local homeschool co-ops often meet in libraries, churches, and community centers throughout the state. A search for "Arkansas homeschool co-op [your city]" typically surfaces groups meeting near you. The statewide organizations listed above maintain co-op directories.

Beyond the legal requirements

Meeting Arkansas's legal requirements is only the foundation. The day-to-day work of homeschooling — choosing a curriculum, teaching multiple children at different levels, building a transcript — is the larger task. Once your legal compliance is in order, explore the rest of this site:

Homeschool360 • Arkansas State Guide