House Bills 39 and 706, passed during the 2012 legislative session and signed by the Governor, move the responsibility of homeschool reporting from local school systems to the Georgia Department of Education beginning July 1, 2012.  The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) developed a web-based system to efficiently comply with the new homeschool requirements.  Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to use the web-based system to submit their homeschool Declaration of Intent and attendance records as doing so will save time and resources for both the parent/guardian and the GaDOE.  The GaDOE web-based system is located on the GaDOE homeschool webpage at http://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Pages/Home-Schools.aspx.  Additional information about homeschooling and how to submit homeschool documentation is available on the homeschool webpage.  Please be advised that the GaDOE web-based system is not affiliated with any vendor offering services to homeschool parents/guardians.

For parents/guardians who do not wish to utilize the web-based system, the GaDOE will also provide for the paper submittal of homeschool documentation.

Parents/guardians may submit their homeschool documentation via mail or fax to the GaDOE at the contact information below:

Georgia Department of Education
Homeschool Division
205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive, SE
Suite 1754 Twin Towers East
Atlanta, GA 30334
Fax: (404) 463-0441

The GaDOE will be responsible for issuing Certificates of Attendance for homeschool students that are eligible for a learner’s permit, driver’s license, work permit, or as needed for other purposes.  Parents/guardians may request a Certificate of Attendance electronically using the web-based system or by contacting a GaDOE homeschool staff member. 

The GaDOE will need your assistance to meet the requirements of the new homeschool law.  Local school systems should submit to the GaDOE all Declaration of Intent forms and attendance records currently received for the 2012-2013 school year.  Please do not submit homeschool records for years prior to the 2012-2013 school year.  All homeschool records prior to the 2012-2013 school year should be archived and kept at the local school systems until the students reach 18 years of age. 

Please note that pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 20-2-701 local school systems will continue to be responsible for filing proceedings in court to enforce the compulsory attendance law for homeschoolers after written notice has been sent to the parents/guardians.  The GaDOE will coordinate with local school systems to provide the documentation needed for enforcing compulsory attendance for students in home study programs. 
Thank you for your cooperation as we move forward to comply with the new homeschool requirements.  For additional information about home study programs in Georgia, please contact the GaDOE homeschool division using the contact information below:

Marilyn Watson
Phone: (404) 651-7179
Cell: (404) 463-7891
Email:  mawatson@doe.k12.ga.us

Jeff Hodges
Phone: (404) 463-7891
Email: jhodges@doe.k12.ga.us

Please note that the contact information for the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) Homeschool Program has changed.  Patrick Blenke and Judy Serritella are now responsible for managing the GaDOE Homeschool Program.  Their contact information is listed below. Please refer all homeschool parents to Patrick Blenke or Judy Serritella or direct them to the GaDOE homeschool webpage at http://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Pages/Home-Schools.aspx.

Patrick Blenke

(404) 463-1765

ablenke@doe.k12.ga.us

Judy Serritella

(404) 657-9800

jserrite@doe.k12.ga.us

~~~~~~~~~~