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This is one of the most common questions from parents considering homeschool: “Am I qualified to teach my own child?” The answer in Louisiana is clear and straightforward: no, you do not need a teaching degree, credential, or any formal education background.
Key Takeaways:
- No teaching degree required in Louisiana homeschools
- No formal education background required
- No teaching credential or certification needed
- Parents with high school diplomas can teach all subjects at all grade levels
- BESE does not evaluate parent qualifications—only curriculum quality and student progress
What Louisiana Law Actually Says
Louisiana’s Home Study statute (La. R.S. § 17:236.1) does not mention teacher qualifications at all. BESE does not require parent credentials, backgrounds, or education levels.
What BESE requires instead:
- Curriculum of quality “at least equal to public schools”
- Evidence of student progress annually
- 180 instructional days per year
- Required subject coverage
The law trusts parents to select appropriate curriculum and teach it effectively. The parent’s background is irrelevant.
Can You Teach Subjects You Don’t Know Well?
Yes. You have three approaches:
1. Learn Alongside Your Child
Many parents use curriculum designed for independent learners. You and your child both open the textbook and learn together. Examples:
- Saxon Math (teaches the parent how to teach each concept)
- Abeka (includes teacher manuals with detailed instruction)
- Sonlight (discussion-based; you learn the content together)
You don’t need expertise; you need willingness to learn.
2. Use Online Instruction
Let a specialist teach. Your role becomes supervisor and facilitator.
- Time4Learning (live and video instruction)
- Abeka Academy (video lessons)
- Khan Academy (free video instruction)
- University-level courses (dual enrollment)
Your child gets expert instruction; you manage the program.
3. Use a Tutor or Co-op for Specific Subjects
Hire a subject specialist for high school math, science lab, or foreign language. You handle other subjects. This hybrid approach is common and effective.
Many families do all three depending on the subject and grade level.
High School Considerations
High school is where qualifications become a common concern. The reality:
You don’t need qualifications, but you need a system. High school success depends on:
- Strong curriculum (more important than teacher background)
- Clear expectations and deadlines
- Regular assessment and feedback
- Record-keeping for transcripts
- College-appropriate standards
Many high school homeschools use:
- Online courses from accredited providers
- Dual enrollment at local colleges (college instructors teach)
- Hybrid programs (part homeschool, part co-op/tutoring)
- Traditional textbooks with parent teaching
The transcript matters more than the parent’s degree. A student with a 3.8 GPA and strong test scores gets into college regardless of whether Mom was a teacher.
College-Bound Students
For college applications, homeschooled students need:
- Clear transcript with courses, grades, and credit hours
- Standardized test scores (ACT/SAT)
- A portfolio of work or descriptions of major projects
College admissions officers are accustomed to homeschool transcripts. They don’t verify that your child’s “teacher” has a credential. They evaluate academic rigor (transcripts, test scores, course descriptions) and your child’s academic readiness.
Many top universities accept homeschool graduates without question.
What About Special Education?
If your child has learning differences or disabilities:
You can still homeschool. You may want:
- Specialized curriculum designed for learning differences (like Orton-Gillingham for dyslexia)
- Support from a learning specialist or tutor
- Specialized online courses
- Curriculum that teaches to your child’s learning style
Many parents of children with special needs choose homeschool specifically because they can customize the approach. You don’t need special education credentials—you need willingness to adapt.
Advanced Subjects (Advanced Placement, Honors, College-Level)
You don’t teach these yourself. Instead:
- Enroll in dual enrollment college courses (recommended for grades 11-12)
- Use advanced online curricula with built-in instruction
- Hire a tutor with subject expertise
- Take Advanced Placement (AP) courses through an online program
Your role shifts from teacher to academic coordinator. You choose the curriculum provider, track progress, and ensure quality. The actual instruction comes from qualified subject experts.
BESE Doesn’t Check Your Background
BESE doesn’t:
- Ask for your education credentials
- Verify you’re qualified
- Require you to pass any test
- Demand you take training courses
They check:
- That your curriculum is reasonable (you select materials)
- That your student shows progress (through testing, portfolio, or teacher verification)
- That you met instructional days and hours
Your qualifications are never evaluated.
Building Confidence as a Homeschool Parent
If you’re worried about capability, here’s reality:
You’re already teaching. If you’ve helped your child with homework, answered questions, or guided them through learning anything, you’ve taught. Homeschool just formalizes and expands what many parents do naturally.
Resources available to you:
- Teacher manuals that explain concepts (provided with curriculum)
- Online videos teaching the content (Khan Academy, YouTube, curriculum-provided)
- Co-ops and tutors for subjects where you want support
- Parent communities (Homeschool Louisiana, local co-ops) for guidance
- Curriculum companies’ customer support
You’re not alone, and you don’t need credentials.
Special Case: Working with Certified Teachers
Some homeschool programs use “teacher statements” (certified teacher verification). If you go this route, a certified teacher reviews your program and confirms quality. This requires finding a teacher willing to do this (often for a fee), but it can give you confidence and provide formal documentation.
This is optional, not required.
Your Real Qualification: Your Commitment
The actual qualification for homeschooling is:
- Commitment to your child’s education
- Willingness to select appropriate curriculum
- Ability to organize and maintain records
- Openness to learn alongside your child
Teaching credentials don’t guarantee good teaching. Parent commitment does.
Summary
Louisiana asks one question about teacher qualifications: Are you using a quality curriculum and documenting progress? The answer is in your curriculum choices and your child’s results, not in your resume.
You don’t need a teaching degree. You need a good curriculum, reasonable organization, and commitment to your child’s education. You have those.
For help selecting curriculum, see . For creating your first-year plan, see . For understanding all legal requirements, see .