Parents of Newton County's homeschool students are facing a change in how they submit their monthly attendance forms.

Beginning July 1, instead of going through the school system, they will now need to submit these forms directly through the Georgia Department of Education.

Parents can submit their Declaration of Intent and attendance records and save both time and resources, for themselves and the state.

The state will be responsible for issuing Certificates of Attendance for homeschool students who are eligible for a learner's permit, driver's license, work permit and other purposes (as needed). Parents must request the certificate from the GaDOE.

While the information can be mailed or faxed, parents are encouraged to use the Internet to submit their information. The GaDOE web-based system can be found at gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Pages/Home-Schools.aspx.