If you spend any time researching education, you will eventually run into terms like “Common Core” and “state standards.” For many parents considering homeschooling, this raises an immediate concern:
Do we have to follow these standards too?
The short answer is no. Homeschool families are generally not bound by Common Core or state academic standards in the same way public schools are.
But understanding why requires a quick look at how education standards actually work in the United States.
Common Core Explained
The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are a set of academic benchmarks for English Language Arts and Mathematics that were developed around 2010 and widely adopted by many states between 2011 and 2014. They outline the skills students are expected to develop at each grade level.
It is important to understand that Common Core is not a curriculum.
It does not tell teachers what books to use, how to teach a concept, or what assignments to give. Instead, it describes the academic outcomes public school students are expected to reach by the end of each grade.
Public school systems — along with the curriculum publishers that serve them — then build programs around those benchmarks.
By 2013–2014, Common Core had become one of the most debated education topics in the country as states adopted it or introduced modified versions for their public school systems. For homeschoolers, however, the practical impact has always been minimal.
How Education Standards Actually Work in the U.S.
Education in the United States is not controlled at the federal level.
Under the 10th Amendment, powers not granted to the federal government are reserved to the states. Because the Constitution does not mention education, authority over education is left largely to the states.
That is why every state has its own education standards.
Over the past decade, some states adopted Common Core, others modified it, and some replaced it entirely with their own standards. However, in nearly every case those standards apply primarily to public schools — the institutions funded and regulated by the state.
This distinction matters.
Public schools must follow the state’s academic framework because they operate within that system. Homeschools generally do not.
Why Homeschoolers Are Not Bound by Common Core
The reason comes down to how homeschool education is legally classified.
In most states, homeschooling is treated as a form of private education. And private education has historically been allowed significant autonomy in how students are taught.
Several factors reinforce this independence.
1) Homeschools Are Typically Considered Private Education
Many states legally treat homeschooling as either:
- a small private school, or
- a distinct form of private education.
Private schools are not required to follow state curriculum frameworks. They may choose their own materials, pacing, and instructional methods.
Homeschools fall into this same category.
2) Public Standards Are Tied to Public Funding
Programs like Common Core were strongly tied to federal and state education funding initiatives.
Public schools receive that funding and must follow the associated rules.
Homeschools do not receive public education funding, so those requirements generally do not apply.
3) Homeschools Are Usually Not Subject to State Accreditation
Public school districts operate within formal accreditation systems.
Homeschools usually are not required to participate in those systems, which means they are free to set their own educational approach.
The one major exception is when families enroll in state-funded virtual charter schools or “public school at home” programs. Those programs operate inside the public system, so they typically follow state standards.
But independent homeschoolers are not part of that structure.
What Homeschoolers Are Required to Follow
While homeschoolers are not bound by Common Core, that does not mean there are no rules.
Each state has its own homeschool laws, and those laws may require things like:
- teaching certain subjects
- submitting annual notices or reports
- participating in testing or evaluations
However, these laws almost never require families to follow a specific set of academic standards like Common Core.
For example, a state law might require instruction in mathematics, reading, science, or civics. But it typically does not dictate the specific standards or sequence used to teach those subjects.
That flexibility is one of the defining features of homeschooling. Parents can choose the curriculum, pacing, and educational philosophy that best fits their child.
Where Homeschoolers May Still Encounter Common Core
Even though homeschool families are not required to follow Common Core, the standards still influence parts of the broader education system. You may see them appear in a few places, such as standardized testing and college entrance exams.
Standardized Testing
Some national tests used by homeschoolers — such as the Stanford Achievement Test or Iowa Assessments — have been updated to align loosely with Common Core benchmarks.
This does not mean students must follow Common Core to perform well. It simply means the test structure reflects skills that are widely taught in schools today.
College Entrance Exams
The SAT and ACT have also evolved over time to reflect modern academic expectations, many of which overlap with Common Core concepts.
However, homeschool graduates regularly perform well on these exams using a wide range of curricula. There is no single path to preparing for them.
The Bottom Line for Homeschool Parents
Common Core and state standards were designed primarily to guide public school systems.
Homeschool families operate in a different category. In most cases, parents are free to choose the curriculum, teaching methods, pace of instruction, and academic goals for their child.
The responsibility of a homeschooling parent is usually limited to meeting the homeschooling laws in their state, which typically focus on subjects taught or documentation — not on following specific academic standards.
Understanding this distinction often brings relief to new homeschool parents.
The bottom line is simple: you are not required to replicate the public school system at home. You are free to build an education that works better for your child.
