Arkansas vs Missouri: Homeschool Laws Compared

Arkansas is the more regulated of the two: it requires notice but no testing or evaluation, while Missouri requires no notice to homeschool. They differ on 5 of the 9 rules compared: notice of intent, hours or days per year, required subjects, the portfolio, and compulsory school ages.

Rules compared

9

Differences

5

Same in both

4

The rules, side by side

Rows where the two states differ are marked. Tap a state name for its full guide, deadlines, and sources.

Figures are the same verified compliance data shown on each state's page. Requirements change; confirm with your state before you rely on one.

Moving from Arkansas to Missouri

Once you are a Missouri resident you homeschool under Missouri's rules. These are the ones that change.

1. There is no notice to file in Missouri. Before you leave, send Arkansas's district a short withdrawal note so its attendance record closes.
2. Start logging from your first day: Missouri counts 1,000 hours a year, and Arkansas set no minimum.
3. Missouri names 5 required subjects (reading, math, social studies, language arts, science). Tag activities to them so a gap shows before the year ends.
4. Keep a portfolio of dated work samples: Missouri requires one and Arkansas did not.
5. Compulsory school ages are 7-17 in Missouri against 5-17 in Arkansas, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.

Moving from Missouri to Arkansas

Once you are a Arkansas resident you homeschool under Arkansas's rules. These are the ones that change.

1. File a notice of intent with the local school district once you are a Arkansas resident. Missouri did not ask for one, so this is new paperwork.
2. Arkansas sets no hour or day minimum. Keep the log anyway; it is what you show if anyone asks, and what you build a transcript from.
3. Arkansas names no required subjects. Missouri's list is still a sensible course plan; it stops being a legal one.
4. Arkansas does not require a portfolio. Bring Missouri's with you anyway; it is your proof of progress if a question ever comes up.
5. Compulsory school ages are 5-17 in Arkansas against 7-17 in Missouri, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.

What stays the same

Arkansas and Missouri match on testing or evaluation, progress reports, ESA funding, and public school sports access. Your habits on those carry over unchanged.

Do your records transfer?

Neither Arkansas nor Missouri takes homeschool records from another state, and there is no transfer process between them. You keep your own: the hours or attendance log, work samples, and any grades or transcripts. Those are what the new state, and later a college, may ask to see. Homeschool Fox keeps them in one account that moves with your family.

Keep comparing

• Arkansas vs Louisiana 4 rules differ
• Arkansas vs Oklahoma 4 rules differ
• Arkansas vs Tennessee 4 rules differ
• Arkansas vs Texas 3 rules differ
• Illinois vs Missouri 5 rules differ
• Iowa vs Missouri 3 rules differ
• Kansas vs Missouri 6 rules differ
• Kentucky vs Missouri 7 rules differ
• Missouri vs Nebraska 6 rules differ
• Missouri vs Oklahoma 5 rules differ
• Missouri vs Tennessee 5 rules differ
• States That Require a Homeschool Notice of Intent All 36 states in one table
• States With Homeschool Hour and Day Requirements All 21 states in one table
• Required Homeschool Subjects by State All 34 states in one table
• States That Require a Homeschool Portfolio All 6 states in one table