If you are considering disenrolling your child from public school and homeschooling them instead, you are likely feeling some anxiety about how to best make the transition. With the right knowledge and research, the process can be straightforward and rewarding for both you and the child. Whether you ultimately decide to disenroll completely or pursue a hybrid learning environment, the following steps will provide a comprehensive guide on the process and what to expect.
Assess Your Situation
Before beginning the process of disenrolling from public school, take a few steps back and honestly assess your situation. Have an open dialogue with your child about their feelings about transitioning to homeschooling. This can help you gain a better understanding of both the child’s expectations and your own.
Additionally, develop a plan of action that can determine the roles and responsibilities, level of commitment, and expectations you both have of the educational process. Explore your reasons for choosing homeschooling over public school, and make sure you have the necessary resources to fulfill your child’s learning needs, as well as accommodate any additional support they may require.
Familiarize Yourself and Your Child With Homeschooling Laws
Different states have different homeschooling laws, so it’s important to look up your local laws and become familiar with them. Not all states require homeschooling families to register, however, you may still want to do so for the records.
Furthermore, there may be requirements for the family to complete and turn in records or results from tests or assessments. Learn if any homeschooling support view exists in your local area, and investigate any co-ops, clubs, or groups that may provide social interaction for your child.
Ensure You Are Prepared to Facilitate Education at Home
Before you disenroll from public school and commit to homeschooling, be sure that you are equipped to handle your child’s educational needs. Find out the type and level of instruction that would be most beneficial to your child’s educational progress. There are many different homeschooling programs and textbooks available, so consider the pros and cons of each, and ask your child what they prefer.
Make sure you have adequate space and materials to accommodate their learning and provide an organized environment where they can learn freely and comfortably.
Create an Action Plan
Develop an action plan based on the assessment you and your child have done, in regards to what type of curriculum you want to pursue, and the deadlines for submission of reports and tests or assessments. Also, decide on the type of support your child needs and how you will provide it to them. It’s important to ensure that your child is continuously engaged in their learning for the entire school year, so consider activities to help motivate them and make learning fun.
Build a Support System
No matter the age of your child, they need constant support and guidance in their educational journey. Reach out to other homeschooling families in your local area and form a community that encourages, supports, and motivate each other.
Having a strong support system not only benefits the student, but you as well. Also, look into local schools or organizations in your area that offer extracurricular activities and educational classes for homeschooling families.
Plan for Socialization for Your Child
Socialization is an important factor when it comes to homeschooling. Homeschooled children miss out on the opportunity for social interaction with their peers in a traditional school setting, so it’s important to plan for socialization activities outside of the home.
Research clubs, sports teams, and community organizations in your area that offer activities catered to homeschooling families. Additionally, you can organize meet-ups with other homeschooling families.
Gather Necessary Documents and Information
Depending on the state in which you live, you may need to produce and sign documents to officially disenroll your child from public school. Before disenrolling, contact your child’s school and get familiar with the school’s policies and guidelines. Write a letter to the school stating your intent to withdraw and make sure you keep copies of the documents and letters for your records.
Stay Connected With Your Child’s School
Staying connected with the school district helps avoid any late fees or penalties that may incur if you do not meet the necessary steps and deadlines in your state. Be aware of the school’s withdrawal policies, and what documents or assessments need to be submitted. Furthermore, inquire about the school’s policy on transcripts and if your child can take standardized tests.
Set Up the Home School Environment
If your house is not equipped for home schooling, now would be the time to get it ready. Find a study area in the home that is distraction-free and has adequate storage for books, supplies, and materials.
Ensure that the area is comfortable and, as much as possible, encourages learning and exploration. If your child is comfortable in their environment, they will be more inclined to learn.
Choose a Curriculum
Whether you choose an online curriculum or physical textbooks, make sure that the materials chosen are age-appropriate and align with your child’s needs and educational goals. Research the different options and make sure they are in-line with your roadmap created in the Assess Your Situation step. It’s important to identify materials and resources that will allow your child to explore their interests and academic abilities.
Maintain Open Communication With Your Child
Though independence is a great skill for children to develop, it’s important that the parent-child relationship does not hinder the learning process. It’s crucial to maintain open communication with the child and remain engaged in their schooling. Encourage a dialogue that allows your child to understand the subject matter and discover their own passions.
Develop a relationship of mutual trust that allows the student to feel comfortable when asking questions or seeking help.
Build Schedules and Routines
Though homeschooling provides more flexibility than traditional schooling, developing schedules and routines helps keep the child on track. Make sure to have appropriate study times set in place and incorporate manageable deadlines.
Additionally, consider taking regular breaks throughout the day’s learning activities to help enhance performance and enthusiasm.
Explore Teaching Styles
Before beginning homeschooling, consider what type of teaching style would be more successful for your child. There are many teaching styles focusing on different approaches such as inquiry-based methods, hands-on activities, and interactive lessons.
Though you may know your child best and be aware of the best style for them, it can be helpful to research different styles and find what best suits your particular student.
Take Advantage of Technology
The modern age has changed the way people learn, and homeschoolers can be sure to benefit from all the technology available. Technology can be an amazing learning tool, and can provide easy access to resources and helpful materials when used correctly. From interactive lessons to online learning platforms, having the right tools can take home-schooling to the next level.
Plan for Obstacles
It’s important to plan ahead and anticipate any problems or situations that may arise. Although it’s not possible to plan every step of the process, making an outline of possible problems or dilemmas helps avoid disaster.
Always make sure to have plan B and C when needed, and be prepared to adapt to changes in the process.
Be Prepared to Adapt
Trial and error is a natural part of homeschooling, and it is important to be open to making changes and altering learning plans as needed. For example, if you find that a particular teaching style is not working, find another that can better fit your child’s learning needs.
Conclusion
Making the decision to disenroll your child from public school and homeschool them is a big one. It’s important to have all the necessary knowledge and resources in order to make sure your child is getting the most out of their learning experience. With no one-size-fits-all approach to homeschooling, create a plan for the process that can accommodate for any possible obstacles, and make sure that the guidance you and your child provide is creating the most beneficial environment for them.