State Regulation of Private Schools
State Regulation of Private Schools provides a brief description for each state of the state legal requirements that apply to K–12 private schools in the United States.
This document is published by the Office of Non-Public Education at the U.S. Department of Education. It is intended to serve as a reference for public and non-public school officials, state policymakers, researchers, and others.
The report includes information in several areas of state regulation of private schools. The topics include:
- Accreditation/Registration/Licensing/Approval
- Teacher Certification
- Length of School Year/Days
- Curriculum
- Recordkeeping/Reports
- Health and Safety Requirements
- Transportation
- Textbooks
- Testing
- Special Education
- Nursing and Health
- Technology
- Professional Development
- Reimbursement for Performing State/Local Functions
- Tax Exemption
- Public Aid for Private Education
- Homeschooling Information Resources
Charts are included at the end of the state-by-state chapters that summarize key information from the report.
The contents illustrate the nation‘s ability to approach similar areas of education in a variety of ways. The states do not regulate all private schools in exactly the same way. Rather, the statutes reflect the unique circumstances, concerns, and policy perspectives in each state.
The full text of the document is large, but easily used and can be searched by state. Click here for the document.
State Education Departments
This site links you to a list of all state education departments where you may obtain useful information about state qualifications for teachers, principals, etc.
School Choice Options in the States
The U.S. Department of Education has produced this publication that provides descriptions of state programs such as education scholarships and tax credits that provide financial assistance for families to send their children to private elementary and secondary schools.
Publication: Education Options in the States: State Programs That Provide Financial Assistance for Attendance at Private Elementary or Secondary Schools (Revised February 2009)
The full text may be viewed here.