Homeschooling in Arkansas
Your complete guide to homeschooling in Arkansas: Notice of Intent filing, the LEARNS Act Education Freedom Account ($6,864/yr), Tim Tebow law, and more.
At a Glance
Arkansas homeschool law overview
- Compulsory Ages
- 5-17
- Notification Required
- Annual Notice of Intent by August 15
- Teacher Qualifications
- None required
- Required Subjects
- None mandated by the state
- Standardized Testing
- Not required (unless receiving EFA funds)
- State Funding
- Education Freedom Account: $6,864/year
Important Notice
Requirements
What you need to know to start homeschooling in Arkansas
Compulsory Attendance Ages
Arkansas requires compulsory school attendance for children ages 5 through 17. Note that compulsory attendance begins at age 5, which is earlier than many states. If your child is 5 by August 1 of the school year, the attendance requirement kicks in.
Filing a Notice of Intent (NOI)
The single most important step in legally homeschooling in Arkansas is filing a Notice of Intent (NOI) with your local school superintendent. Here is what you need to know:
- Deadline: File by August 15 of each year. The filing window opens June 1.
- Annual Requirement: Unlike some states where you file once, Arkansas requires a new NOI every year.
- Late Filing: If you miss the August 15 deadline, the superintendent or local school board may impose a 5-day waiting period before releasing your child to be homeschooled.
- Required Information: Since the passage of HB 1574 (Act 635), the NOI has been simplified. You must include the name, date of birth, and grade level of each student, along with the location of the home school. You are no longer required to list your curriculum or class schedule.
- Submission Methods: You can submit paper forms to your resident school district or file electronically through the Arkansas Department of Education (DESE) website.
No Required Subjects
Arkansas law does not mandate specific subjects for homeschooled students. You have complete freedom to design your curriculum as you see fit. This applies regardless of whether you are starting from scratch or using a packaged curriculum.
No Teacher Qualifications
Arkansas places no qualification requirements on homeschooling parents. You do not need a teaching certificate, a college degree, or any specific educational background to legally educate your children at home.
Attendance and Scheduling
There are no specific attendance or instructional hour requirements for homeschooled students in Arkansas. You set your own schedule -- whether that is a traditional September-through-May approach, year-round schooling, or something entirely different.
Withdrawing from Public School
If your child is currently enrolled in a public school, submit your Notice of Intent first, then notify the school of your child's withdrawal in writing. Keep copies of all correspondence. The school should release your child once the NOI has been accepted.
Evaluations
Annual evaluation and assessment options
No State-Mandated Testing
Arkansas does not require standardized testing or any form of academic assessment for homeschooled students. There are no portfolio reviews, no annual evaluations, and no progress reports to file with the state. This makes Arkansas one of the least regulated states for homeschooling in the country.
Testing Required for EFA Recipients
There is one important exception: if your family participates in the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program under the LEARNS Act, your child is required to take a national, norm-referenced test each year. This is a condition of receiving state funding, not a general homeschool requirement. Popular qualifying tests include the Iowa Assessments, Stanford Achievement Test, and the TerraNova.
Voluntary Assessment Options
Many Arkansas homeschool families voluntarily test their children to track academic progress. Common options include:
- Iowa Assessments or Stanford Achievement Test (SAT-10) for general academic benchmarking.
- ACT or SAT for high school students preparing for college.
- Portfolio reviews with experienced evaluators for a less test-focused assessment approach.
Record-Keeping Best Practices
Although Arkansas does not require record-keeping beyond the annual NOI, maintaining attendance logs, work samples, curricula used, and any test scores is strongly recommended. These records help with college applications, re-enrollment in traditional schools, and documenting your child's educational journey.
Financial Resources
Vouchers, scholarships, and tax credits
Education Freedom Account (EFA) -- LEARNS Act
The Arkansas LEARNS Act, passed in 2023, established the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program -- one of the most significant school choice programs in the state's history. Here is what homeschool families need to know:
- Amount: Each student receives $6,864 per year for the 2025-2026 school year, disbursed quarterly at $1,716 per quarter through ClassWallet.
- Enhanced Funding: Students in foster care, children of active-duty or reserve military members, and students with disabilities qualify for $7,627 per year ($1,906.75 per quarter) through the Succeed program.
- Eligibility: All families are eligible -- there are no income limits. Both new and returning families must create an account and submit an application at arkansasefa.com.
- Application Deadline: Applications for the 2025-2026 school year closed August 15, 2025.
- Requirements: You must still file your annual Notice of Intent to Homeschool, and EFA students are required to take a national, norm-referenced test each year.
- Eligible Expenses: Curriculum materials, textbooks, educational supplies, tutoring, online courses, and other approved educational expenses.
529 Plan Withdrawals
Federal law now allows up to $20,000 per year (starting in 2026) in tax-free withdrawals from 529 education savings accounts for qualified K-12 expenses. Arkansas offers its own 529 plan (GIFT Plan) with state income tax deductions for contributions.
Federal Coverdell ESA
Families can contribute up to $2,000 per year per child to a federal Coverdell Education Savings Account. Funds grow tax-free and can cover K-12 educational expenses including curriculum and supplies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about homeschooling in Arkansas