Homeschooling is a rapidly growing alternative education path for many families across the United States who are looking for a more personalized educational experience for their children. This can often be an empowering journey and is typically facilitated through the process of withdrawing your child from their current school and enrolling them in an approved homeschool program. Withdrawing your child from their school requires communication, responsibility and preparation.
Here, we’ll discuss the basics of withdrawing your child from school to homeschool them and answer the fifteen most common questions regarding the process.
What Is Homeschooling?
Homeschooling is a form of tailored education in which parents or guardians take full responsibility for teaching their children in a non-traditional, non-accredited setting. Homeschooling enables parents to customize their child’s education based on their individual needs, religious beliefs and academic interests, as well as provide one-on-one mentoring and academic guidance. Homeschooling is regulated by the government in most states and provinces and there are typically two forms of regulation for this form of schooling: the homeschooler registers with a school district or state and follows the curriculum and regulations of that state, or parents choose to use a private homeschooling program and create their own curriculum.
In both cases, parents must thoroughly understand their local laws and regulations and be sure to adhere to them.
What Are the Benefits of Homeschooling?
For some families, homeschooling is a viable option to provide their children with the best education possible. There are many potential benefits to homeschooling, including using tailored curriculums in accordance with your child’s needs, setting flexible learning times, taking educational trips and exploration opportunities, teaching to their exact skill level, and providing more one-on-one assistance which often leads to increased self-confidence and independence. Other potential benefits to homeschooling include having more control over the values that you instill into your family as well as being able to develop meaningful and lasting relationships with your children as you support them on their educational journey.
What Are the Drawbacks of Homeschooling?
Despite the many potential benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks that parents should research and consider prior to homeschooling their children, such as ensuring their children will be receiving a quality education, taking on additional financial and temporal burdens, and making sure their children will have an opportunity to socialize and interact with peers within their age group, among other things. Parents are also responsible for providing sufficient resources and instruction in order to ensure that their children’s education meets the standards of their home state. Parents who wish tohomeschool should research their state laws thoroughly and provide their child with a quality education that is tailored to their individual needs.
Am I Qualified to Homeschool My Child?
If a parent has a high school diploma or GED and the motivation to provide their children with a quality education, then they are likely qualified to homeschool their children. However, many states require parents to have higher levels of education such as a college education, or even a teaching certificate in order to be eligible to homeschool. It is important to research the laws of your state before beginning the process of homeschooling.
How Do I Withdraw My Child From School?
The process of withdrawing your child from their current school in order to start homeschooling differs from state to state. Generally, you will need to submit a notice in writing to the school that you are withdrawing your child, which may include completing a form, letter, or other document. This written notice should include your child’s full name, date of birth, school location and phone number, as well as your request to withdraw your child and dates of the withdrawal.
Some states require parents to have the signature of a school official on their forms before the withdrawal can be official. The school may also have their own withdrawal procedure that you need to comply with in order to process the withdrawal.
Do I Need to Notify Anybody Else?
Once you have completed the school’s withdrawal procedure, you may also need to notify other educational entities such as your local school district or state education department. Some states may require additional documentation, such as an education plan or immunization records in order to approve the withdrawal.
What Documents Do I Need to Gather During the Withdrawal Process?
When withdrawing your child from school, it is important to keep detailed records throughout the process. It is useful to track things like the state’s requirements, as well as any forms that must be completed and deadlines that need to be met.
It is also important to keep copies of all documents associated with the withdrawal.
Are There Any Penalties for Withdrawing My Child From School?
In most states, the withdrawal of a student from school does not result in penalties for the family or student. However, in the state of Colorado, if a student withdraws from school for any reason outside of the state-approved list, then the student and their family can face fines and/or prosecution.
It is important to research the laws of your state prior to withdrawing your child from school to ensure that you are in compliance with the state laws.
Are There Rules Governing Homeschooling?
Yes, the rules governing homeschooling differ from state to state. Generally, parents will need to comply with their state’s laws regarding homeschooling, which often require parents to submit a notification to the school district informing them of their intention to homeschool their child and to provide proof that they have filed the necessary paperwork.
Parents may also need to keep track of their child’s academic progress and submit test results and other forms of proof in order to stay in accordance with state laws.
Will My Child Have Access to Extracurricular Activities?
Homeschooling does not necessarily rule out extracurricular activities. Online activities, local organizations and community classes often provide homeschooled children with the opportunity to socialize, learn, explore and develop their skills outside of the home environment. Depending on where you live, some public schools may even allow homeschooled children to participate in school-based extracurricular activities.
How Do I Enroll My Child In a Homeschool Program or Curriculum?
It is important to research and select the right program or curriculum for your child and your family’s needs. There are many different types of programs and curriculums available online and in brick and mortar stores, as well as many online resources that provide thorough reviews of the different options. Once you have selected a program or curriculum that meets your child’s needs and interests, you will then need to purchase the materials and supplies associated with the program, as well as create a schedule and introduce the program to your child in order to begin their homeschooling journey.
What Are Some Options for Testing and Assessment for Homeschooled Children?
For parents who wish to track and measure their child’s progress, there are a variety of testing and assessment options available. Depending on the state, your child may be eligible to take their state’s standardized tests.
Test publishers, university-based programs, and other independent organizations also provide placement, college readiness and other kinds of testing that can be used to evaluate your child’s progress.
What Kinds of Support Groups, Classes and Clubs Are Available For Homeschooled Children?
Homeschooled children have access to a variety of support groups, classes, and clubs. Local organizations, online courses, and homeschool co-ops are all great resources that can provide your child with opportunities to learn, explore and grow with their peers. Additionally, some public libraries and museums often provide homeschooler-specific activities, classes, and events.
It is important to research your local programs and resources in order to find ones that best suit your family’s needs.
Are There Any Legal Requirements to Homeschooling?
Yes, there are certain legal requirements that must be met in order to homeschool your child. Each state has its own set of laws that parents must follow in order to homeschool legally. Typically, these laws require parents to provide proof of their child’s education, file the necessary paperwork, and keep records of their child’s progress.
It is important to research the laws for your state in order to ensure that you are in compliance.
What Resources Are Available For Parents Who Homeschool?
There are a number of resources available for parents who homeschool. Organizations such as the Home School Legal Defense Association and the National Home Education Research Institute provide resources and support for parents who wish to homeschool their children.
In addition, there are many online forums and social media groups dedicated to supporting homeschooling families. It is important to take advantage of these resources in order to have an enjoyable and successful homeschooling experience.
Conclusion
Homeschooling is an increasingly popular alternative to traditional education for many families. Withdrawing your child from their current school is the first step in the homeschooling process and requires you to comply with the laws of your state and keep detailed records of the process.
It is important to research the options available and choose the right program or curriculum for your child, as well as make use of the many resources and support groups available to homeschooling parents. With a good understanding of the process and a willingness to take on the responsibilities of homeschooling, your family can have an enjoyable and successful homeschool experience.