Exempt School [Home School] Program
General Information
Parents (or legal guardians) may educate their child at home by electing not to meet State approval or accreditation requirements (Section 79-1601 R.R.S.). In Nebraska, “home schools” are referred to as exempt schools and are considered non-approved or non-accredited schools. By filing for and receiving exempt status, parents are electing not to have their child attend a school that meets State approval and accreditation requirements while also complying with the mandatory school attendance law (Section 79-201 R.R.S.).
- Rule 13 is the rule governing the procedures and standards for parents (or legal guardians) filing for an exemption.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Resources (private parent support organizations)
2021/22 School Year
- It is too early to file for a Rule 13 exemption for the 2021/22 school year. Check back on this website at the end of May for the 2021/22 forms and information & link to the updated online submission. Do not use the current school year’s information and online system to file for the next school year.
2020/21 School Year
- NDE will discontinue accepting 2020/21 submissions effective 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 15, 2021.
- As of March 24, staff are still reviewing 2020/21 submissions and following up on incomplete submissions.
Remember:
- Your filing is effective upon receipt by NDE. You do not have to wait until you receive the Acknowledgement Letter to begin homeschooling.
- Students do not need to attend the local school in the interim while waiting on the Acknowledgment Letter. [The local schools should not count absences during this time.]
- When the review of the submission is complete, the Acknowledgement Letter is emailed to the Parent Representative for online filers, and mailed to the Parent Representative for paper filers and multi-family schools.
- If upon review by NDE of the filed materials it is discovered the filing is incomplete or improper, the parent representative will be notified and have a stated time by which it must be completed or corrected to be effective.
Note:
- If you have changed your mind about “homeschooling” due to the availability of remote learning through the local district (or other reasons), please email Beth Bolte (beth.bolte@nebraska.gov) with your full name and the students’ full name, and indicate you wish to cancel your filing.
Statistical Information
Program Contacts
- Beth Bolte: (402) 471-2795 or beth.bolte@nebraska.gov
- Micki Iverson: (402) 471-1894 or micki.iverson@nebraska.gov