There are many reasons why parents might choose to homeschool their children, including a desire to provide a higher quality education, greater flexibility with regards to curriculum, or to help further their child’s spiritual development. When making such an important decision, it is important to understand what the qualifications for homeschooling are, and how to go about setting up a successful program for your child.
In this article, we answer key questions about homeschooling qualifications and considerations for setting up a successful program.
What Are the Legal Requirements for Homeschooling?
Each state, as well as district and county, may have their own rules, regulations and qualifications for homeschooling. In most cases, depending on the state or county, parents or guardians must notify the local school district or Board of Education of the intent to homeschool and file a homeschooling notification form. Other documents that might be required include pledge of compliance forms, attendance records, and course of study plans, among others.
Every state is different so it is important to research and understand the legal requirements of your state before getting started. Penalties for non-compliance vary depending on the state or county, but can include fines and jail time.
That said, most states have set up either an appeals process or an alternate option to homeschooling that the family may qualify for. Therefore, it is important to fully understand the legal requirements before embarking upon the homeschooling journey.
What Qualifications Do I Need to Homeschool My Child?
In general, there are no specialized qualifications needed to become a homeschool teacher. Many parents who choose to homeschool have no educational background or experience in teaching.
Most states do require that the parent or guardian must possess a high school diploma or GED, but this is the only basic qualification needed. Parents may also choose to supplement their own experience by getting additional educational training or by participating in a homeschooling mentorship program. Additionally, many parents choose to enlist the help of specialized tutors or subject specific teachers to help fill in the gaps of their own knowledge.
The key is to ensure that the parent or guardian has the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively teach his or her child.
What Curriculum Should I Use?
The type of curriculum used is entirely up to the parent or guardian. There are a variety of options available ranging from traditional textbooks to online self-paced courses. Choosing the right program depends on the child’s learning style, educational needs and objectives.
For instance, parents can opt for a more traditional curriculum that mimics the structure of a public school’s grade-level coursework, or they can choose to go the route of online course-based learning such as those through Khan Academy or Teaching Textbooks. Synthetic phonics or reading programs based on Jolly Phonics or Orton Gillingham can also be used to help teach the fundamentals of reading.
Other subjects, such as Math or Social Studies, can be taught using traditional textbooks, videos or a combination of methods. Ultimately, the homeschool curriculum should be tailored to meet the individual needs of the student.
Do I Need to Teach All Subjects?
No, in fact, it is not necessary to teach all subjects. Many homeschool programs include some kind of core curriculum, although parents are free to omit or add additional classes as desired. In some cases, families may opt to take a more experiential approach to learning and focus on activities such as nature walks and field trips.
In such cases, the lessons are considered to be part of the homeschool curriculum. The key is to make sure the educational goals of the student are met by the curriculum chosen.
Should I Take Standardized Tests?
Whether or not to take standardized tests is an individual choice and highly depends on each family’s homeschooling goals. In many states, homeschooled students may take standardized tests at the school district’s discretion or, in some cases, may be required to be tested in order to progress to the next grade. Additionally, some colleges require standardized test scores as part of the admissions process.
When making the decision to take standardized tests, parents should decide if they believe the results of the test will aid in the student’s academic development or help fulfill any college admissions requirements. If so, then considering taking standardized tests might be worth it.
Do I Need to Report Progress?
Most states require homeschoolers to either inform the local school district, or occasionally report to an assigned homeschool counselor, about their student’s academic progress. In the majority of cases, this applies only to those students who are ages five and up and in their compulsory educational years.
The reporting requirements vary from state to state, and may include providing attendance records or course syllabuses. Additionally, homeschool parents must generally keep special records of their student’s achievements and should maintain records of state exams and standardized tests.
Should I Have a Set Schedule?
The answer to this question largely depends on the student’s goals and learning style. Some students benefit from having a strict and consistent daily schedule as it helps to keep them focused, while others may thrive in an environment with lots of flexibility. If the homeschool student is of compulsory educational age, the state may require that a certain number of hours are dedicated to instruction each week.
This number may vary so it is important to research the specific requirements of the state. Generally, parents should try to avoid changing to a new curriculum or set of courses if they find that the student is not making the desired progress.
What If I Don’t Have an Educational Background?
Not having an educational background should not discourage parents who are considering homeschooling their children. While having an educational background may help in teaching certain courses, many parents who have no educational experience have successfully homeschooled their children.
Many parents unsure of their educational qualifications can gain confidence by referring to the core books and subject-specific textbooks produced for public school students and the Standards for Academic Achievement set by the state. Additionally, parents can look into teaching resources such as online curricula, online teaching tools, or online tutoring services.
Do I Need to Connect with Other Homeschoolers?
Having a circle of other homeschoolers, either for support or for social activities, can be useful for both the students and the parents. Ultimately, connecting with other homeschoolers is an individual decision. If a parent has a larger circle of friends and family they can rely on, or if they prefer to give their children more freedom to be independent and make their own social circles, then connecting with other homeschoolers may not be necessary.
On the other hand, if a parent feels their child would benefit from social activities with other homeschooled children, or if there is a need for networking with other homeschoolers for support, then joinings a homeschooling group or finding local homeschooling activities could be beneficial. In such instances, parents can search online or reach out to local chapters of national homeschool groups.
Is Homeschooling Too Expensive?
When it comes to costs, there are both upfront and ongoing expenses associated with homeschooling. Upfront expenses can include purchasing the necessary materials, such as textbooks and workbooks, as well as digital subscriptions for online courses.
Additionally, homeschool parents may need to purchase certain educational supplies such as paper, notebooks, and other materials depending on their child’s learning needs. Ongoing expenses may include membership fees to homeschool co-ops or paying outside instructors or tutors to support the student’s learning. Additionally, parents may need to hire a private counselor to supervise their student’s academic progress or take standardized tests.
Do I Need to Re-Test My Child Annually?
In most cases, it is not necessary to re-test your child every year. Generally, states requires homeschooled students to submit an annual evaluation that includes standardized testing, an assessment of work samples and portfolio reviews. While annual re-testing is typically not required, to get an accurate indication of the student’s academic progress, it is essential to keep track of any assessment data the student has taken.
If a parent finds that the student is not being well served by their current course of study, they can adjust or look into other educational options.
Conclusion
Homeschooling is a big undertaking, but when armed with the right knowledge, it can be very rewarding and successful. As with anything, the key to success is having an understanding of the qualifications and understanding the requirements of homeschooling.
This article have answered many of the questions that parents have when deciding if homeschooling is right for them. The most important thing to remember is that parents should view homeschooling as an individual journey, rather than a cookie-cutter system. Parents should do plenty of research and explore all educational options before embarking upon this important decision.
While homeschooling may not be for everyone, those that take the time to understand the qualifications and set up a successful program can enjoy a fulfilling educational experience with their children.