Homeschooling has been a movement that has grown throughout modern times. The reasons parents decide to educate their children at home can vary, but they must consider the laws and regulations each state establishes for the purposes.
To homeschool in Oklahoma, you need to comply with a few simple requirements that must be verifiable by the state:
- The students must be between 5 to 18 years old.
- Each day must have 6 hours of classes, with a total of 180 days per year.
- The student must pass a level exam according to their age.
Keep reading this article if you want to know more about homeschooling in Oklahoma. These laws regulate it and how to choose a curriculum that complies with Oklahoma law.
Before You Begin Homeschooling In Oklahoma
The first thing you should do is notify your child’s school of the decision to homeschool. But before deciding whether to educate your child from home, make sure you have the time available to dedicate the 180 days of the academic year and the 6 hours of education each day, as it is one of the few requirements that the state of Oklahoma asks for.
Oklahoma does not have any law to educate from home, and the board of education only asks the family to comply with the basic requirements of age, days, hours, and passing grades. However, the state of Oklahoma does have some suggestions that will allow you to justify the quality and quantity of the education your child is receiving:
- Keep documentation of the hours of classes taught and what subjects were developed.
- Keep an academic record of the child where progress can be checked.
With these two suggestions, you can prove that the education granted is at the level of the education offered by the state’s public schools.
The cost of homeschooling varies by family, depending on the curriculum, field trips, activities included in the classes, the materials needed to teach the classes, or the extracurricular activities.
Expenditures will vary depending on how much you support yourself using free activities, such as the public library or visits to historical centers, at no additional charge.
Choosing A Homeschool Curriculum In Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, families who practice homeschooling do not have a standard curriculum established by law. However, the state has some subjects that must be followed. These are:
- Science
- Conservation
- Constitution of the United States
- Reading
- Physical Education
- Mathematics
- Safety
- Writing
- Health
- Citizenship
It is advisable to consider choosing a curriculum that fits the teaching style of the person who will teach the classes and the student’s learning style who will receive instruction. If you consider that your chosen curriculum does not suit those needs, you can change it until you find one that does.
There are numerous options and styles available for home-based learning. To help get you started, here are a few well-known and popular programs to consider:
- ABC Mouse and Adventure Academy: ABC Mouse is geared towards young learners and works on shapes, colors, letters, and numbers. Adventure Academy is from the same company and works well for children 8-13 years old. Both use an interactive platform that engages the student.
- Alpha Omega Publications: AOP is the parent company of Christian-backed homeschool programs that vary in online, digital, and printed materials. Accounts can be set up for either one or multiple students while the parent has access to grade, assign, unassign, re-assign, and monitor progress.
- K12: K12 is a public school completed online. Students will follow a more traditional schedule for their grade level and utilize standardized testing to track learning objectives.
- Schoolhouse Teachers: For parents wanting to create an individualized lesson plan, Schoolhouse Teachers offers learning materials for all ages, grade levels, and learning goals. There are hundreds of lessons to choose from to ensure your child gets the most beneficial information and has fun learning.
- Other educational resources include Duolingo, Khan Academy, Calvert, Time4Learning, Time4Math, CuriosityStream, Hooked on Phonics, Code Advantage, and Carson Dellosa Education.
Record Keeping For Homeschooled Students In Oklahoma
The only thing necessary to present to the state is the time log of academic hours.
There are several ways to document this time. For example, you can keep a report of the class schedule daily or weekly. Thus, you ensure that the time was met and that the recommended subjects were taught.
Also, although it is not necessary, keeping evaluation records and examples of assignments is good. It is an excellent way to test the educational progress of the student year after year.
Furthermore, it is a better way to prove to universities that the student has met the requirements for graduation and is capable of taking higher courses.
Homeschooling and Special Education Services In Oklahoma
To educate a child with special needs, the state of Oklahoma does not have any additional requirements. Therefore, it will be enough if you follow the state regulations for homeschooling.
However, no laws or regulations allow students with special needs to be educated from home and obtain special education services. There should be no problem if you have the necessary training that meets your child’s learning needs.
Homeschooled Students And Public School Access In Oklahoma
Homeschooled students have the chance to participate in public school extracurricular activities, such as sports or activities. However, the law clearly states they are called programs, extracurriculars, co-curricular, or activities.
If a homeschooled kid wishes to enter a public school, the student must take a standard-level test to establish the academic level at which he or they. The test is given by the school and is kept there. However, parents can receive a copy if they wish.
Testing and Graduation Requirements In Oklahoma
To qualify for graduation, students must take 23 credits in the subjects suggested by the state of Oklahoma. However, homeschooling parents will decide when they can graduate and award a high school diploma of their own.
Homeschooled students in Oklahoma are not required to take any tests to graduate. Nevertheless, proving that you have the basic knowledge to present to the college of your choosing when they decide to enroll is advisable. Some parents assign credits to specific subjects so they can be featured on transcripts.
Field Trips For Homeschooled Students In Oklahoma
Field trips are an excellent complement to the student’s education. In Oklahoma, several historical and educational points can serve as academic support. Some recommendations are:
- Sod House Museum
- Boggy Depot State Park
- Museum of Western Prairie
- Osage Hills State Park
- Price Tower Arts Center
- Bartlesville Area History Museum
- Beaver Dunes State Park
- Greenleaf State Park
- Tulsa Port of Catoosa
- Lake Eufaula State Park
- Honey Springs Battlefield
- Washita Battlefield
- Shepherd’s Cross
- Clayton Lake State Park
- Crowder Lake University Park
Depending on your budget, you can find an area closer to home or further away. Also, assign an essay, quiz, or assignment that can serve as a field trip report. Otherwise, it will be more of a family trip than an academic trip.
Homeschool Associations, Groups, and Co-Ops In Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, several groups and associations support home school students and parents. Depending on your area, you can research which groups are close to you and join the one you prefer.
The most significant advantage of these associations is the support between the members and the ability to socialize since homeschooled children also need social factors for their development.
You can also find groups or associations with religious leanings. Make sure to research each group and its philosophy before joining. This way, it is more challenging to find disputes with the other members of the association’s beliefs.
Conclusion
In Oklahoma, homeschooling is straightforward in terms of laws and regulations. Parents who decide to take this path must follow simple rules. The cost will vary according to how personalized you make your class schedule.
Sources:
https://www.time4learning.com/homeschooling/oklahoma/
https://sde.ok.gov/home-school
https://hslda.org/legal/oklahoma
https://www.powerhomeschool.org/homeschooling-by-state/oklahoma/
https://www.homeschoolacademy.com/resources/homeschool-laws-by-state/oklahoma-homeschool-laws/
https://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/homeschooling-in-oklahoma/
https://www.homeschooloklahoma.org/
http://www.oklahomahomeschool.com/choose.html
https://hslda.org/post/special-education-provisions-for-oklahoma
https://www.time4learning.com/homeschooling/oklahoma/laws-requirements.html
https://hslda.org/post/the-importance-of-recordkeeping-in-oklahoma
https://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/homeschooling-in-oklahoma/field-trips/