You’ve heard the stories about homeschoolers who have gone on to college and graduate school, but you’re still not sure if it’s for you. Here are some tips to help you decide whether to try homeschooling or pass on this option in favor of public education.
If you’re new to homeschooling and don’t know where to start, you can follow these steps:
- Research and familiarize yourself with the homeschooling laws and regulations in your state.
- Notify your local school district of your intent to homeschool by submitting a letter of intent, notice of intent, or private school affidavit depending on the state you reside in.
- Look into different homeschooling methods, such as unschooling, classical education, Charlotte Mason, and Montessori, to find the approach that best suits you and your child’s learning style.
- Create a curriculum plan that includes the subjects and materials you use.
- Keep records of your child’s homeschooling progress and provide them to your school district upon request.
- Meet the state’s requirements for homeschooling, which include providing instruction in specific subjects and meeting certain attendance requirements.
- Register with a homeschooling organization or program if required by your state.
- Follow any additional regulations or laws set by your local school district or state.
- Be aware that some states require annual assessments or testing for homeschooled students.
- Remember that different states have different regulations and procedures. You must check with your state’s Department of Education for specific guidelines.
- Reach out to other homeschooling families or groups to connect and get support.
- Start homeschooling and keep records of your child’s progress.
Can anyone get started teaching their children at home? Where should they start looking once they begin researching options? Read more below to find answers to these questions and much more!
What Is Home Education?
Home education refers to families’ efforts to educate their children using private study, correspondence courses, textbooks, and online resources, rather than enrolling them in public schools. In other words, homeschooling means your child receives daily educational instruction directly from teachers within the same household instead of from educators in another location.
According to data compiled by the U.S. Department of Education, 2 million American kids attended nonpublic primary and secondary schools in 2011, meaning roughly 1 percent of all K-12 students were educated outside government-run institutions.
The majority of these households, however, were composed primarily of low-income families, minorities, single mothers, military personnel and veterans, or other special populations that often face unique challenges in attaining quality education opportunities. As a result, many of these individuals used self-directed forms of education to meet their needs.
The benefits of homeschooling include lower costs associated with tuition fees, uniforms, supplies, field trips, extracurricular activities, and greater parental involvement in curriculum design and instructional decisions.
Additionally, studies show that compared to public school students, homeschooled children tend to perform better academically overall.
How Can I Get Started With My Family?
Before jumping right into homeschooling, taking stock of your current situation makes sense. Ask yourself several key questions, including “Do you currently provide caregiving services?” If yes, ask yourself whether you feel comfortable managing multiple tasks simultaneously.
Also, consider how much freedom your employer provides regarding flexible scheduling, job transfers, etc., particularly since most jobs require long hours away from home. Finally, think whether you have enough space in your house to accommodate all the books, art projects, papers, folders, computers, appliances, furniture, toys, and miscellaneous items that come with being a parent and educator.
If the answer is no, you must determine whether you have sufficient room to purchase additional property or hire someone else to handle specific responsibilities.
If you answered no to all three questions, don’t fret. Many alternatives are available to stay-at-home moms and dads who want to teach their children at home. One popular option is to join online parenting communities explicitly designed for sharing information on subjects ranging from health and nutrition to general arts & crafts and personal finance skills.
These sites offer forums populated by experienced users who’ve already figured out how to navigate the waters of raising young ones. They typically feature helpful resources, advice, and links to relevant articles and videos.
Other good sources of information include blogs written by seasoned mothers, plus websites offering classes and workshops on topics pertinent to homeschooling.
Once you’ve determined whether homeschooling is feasible in your particular case, it’s important to remember that everyone learns differently. Please don’t assume your child has mastered a subject simply because he got straight A’s on a test.
Likewise, don’t expect him to pick things up immediately. Give him ample time to learn and practice, and always encourage him to seek assistance from tutors, mentors, and peers whenever necessary. Remember, too, that you shouldn’t compare your son or daughter to others’ children until age-appropriate milestones have been achieved.
Be patient, loving, and supportive throughout this process. Above all, remember that your role is to serve as both teacher and mentor.
Where Do You Turn Next?
Whether you choose to homeschool or remain enrolled in traditional classrooms, the important thing is to maintain open lines of communication between you and your child’s teacher(s). Ensure you understand how assignments and exams are graded and the details surrounding class rules, expectations, discipline policies, and procedures.
While these matters might seem uncomfortable to discuss initially, they become less stressful as your relationship grows stronger.
Additionally, keep abreast of changes occurring within your city, state, or country concerning laws about homeschooling. Many states permit homeschooling only under specific circumstances, such as religious beliefs or disabilities.
Similarly, if you plan to move to a different area, you’ll likely need to obtain a copy of its charter requirements. Some places mandate licensing or certification for individual teachers, while others prefer a blanket policy based on years of service.
Lastly, look into upcoming events held by organizations dedicated to helping people interested in home education. Such gatherings are great places to gain insight into potential obstacles and solutions, and they’re generally very welcoming to newcomers.
Attendees can usually network with fellow attendees and share ideas, concerns, frustrations, and triumphs.
In summary, deciding whether to homeschool isn’t easy. But as with everything worth doing in life, it comes with huge rewards if done correctly. So don’t hold off. Your children deserve nothing less!
