Even though New Hampshire does not highly regulate homeschooling, there are some New Hampshire homeschool requirements you must satisfy when you homeschool:

• Begin homeschooling by age 6.
• File the required Notification of Home Education Program form prior to beginning homeschooling.
• Teach the required subjects of “science, mathematics, language, government, history, health, reading, writing, spelling, the history of the constitutions of New Hampshire and the United States, and an exposure to and appreciation of art and music” (RSA 193-A:4).
• Complete annual educational evaluations to document progress (with the support of the participating agency).
• File the Notice of Completion of a Home Education Program if your child under the age of 18 has completed the home education program at the high school level.
• Stay current with homeschooling laws and requirements.

Do I need to administer testing to my homeschooler?

Yes. According to RSA 193-A:6, “The parent shall provide for an annual educational evaluation in which is documented the child’s demonstration of educational progress at a level commensurate with the child’s age and ability. The child shall be deemed to have successfully completed his annual evaluation upon meeting the requirements of any one of the following:

• A certified teacher or a teacher currently teaching in a nonpublic school who is selected by the parent shall evaluate the child’s educational progress upon review of the portfolio and discussion with the parent or child;
• The child shall take any national student achievement test, administered by a person who meets the qualifications established by the provider or publisher of the test. Composite results at or above the fortieth percentile on such tests shall be deemed reasonable academic proficiency;
• The child shall take a state student assessment test used by the resident district. Composite results at or above the fortieth percentile on such state test shall be deemed reasonable academic proficiency; or
• The child shall be evaluated using any other valid measurement tool mutually agreed upon by the parent and the commissioner of education, resident district superintendent, or nonpublic school principal.” These may include (but are not limited to) any of the following: “a. Interview; b. Educational progress in a particular curriculum as measured by the parent; c. Educational progress in a particular curriculum as measured by the provider; d. Review of the child’s portfolio by a participating agency; e. Evaluation by a teacher in a program recognized by any state department of education; or f. Specially prepared tests or evaluations measuring educational progress in a particular subject or curriculum” (Ed315).

If a review of the child’s portfolio is being used for evaluation, ““The contents of the portfolio shall […] include the following:

• The name and address of the teacher, including state recognized documentation of certification or the name and address of the nonpublic school in which the teacher is currently teaching;
• The date(s) on which the evaluation(s) took place; 
• A description of the work reviewed;
• A summary of the child’s educational progress in the home education program concluding with a statement that the child has or has not made educational progress; and
• The signatures of the teacher and the parent” (Ed315).

What happens to my child’s annual evaluation results?

“The results of the evaluation: 

• May be used to demonstrate the child’s academic proficiency in order to participate in public school programs, and co-curricular activities which are defined as school district-sponsored and directed athletics, fine arts, and academic activities. Home educated students shall be subject to the same participation policy and eligibility conditions as apply to public school students.
• Shall not be used as a basis for termination of a home education program.
• Provides a basis for a constructive relationship between the parent and the evaluator, both working together in the best interest of the child” (RSA 193-A:4).

What records do I need to keep when I homeschool my child?

According to RSA 193-A:6, “The parent shall maintain a portfolio of records and materials relative to the home education program. The portfolio shall consist of a log which designates by title the reading materials used, and also samples of writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials used or developed by the child. Such portfolio shall be preserved by the parent for 2 years from the date of the ending of the instruction.” Parents are also required to maintain copies of the annual educational evaluations.

In addition to the required portfolio and evaluation documents, we also recommend you do some personal recordkeeping to provide verification of education in the event you would need to show some form of educational proof to the state or other legal entities or to prepare for re-entry into public school or postsecondary pathways. This includes the following:

• Attendance
• Immunization records
• Other test and evaluation results
• Correspondence with school officials

You may also be able to find more information on New Hampshire homeschool requirements through your local school district.