With homeschooling gaining popularity and many states passing legislation recognizing homeschools as viable alternatives to public or private school, parents may be curious or unsure if they need qualifications to teach their own children at home. This article will explore what qualifications are necessary to homeschool in the United States, whether parents should or must pursue credentials or certification, and how one can go about obtaining qualifications to teach their children.
What Qualifications Do I Need to Homeschool?
In most states homeschooling is legally permissible, so the main qualification is having parental guardianship of the student being homeschooled. Requirements on homeschooling also vary by state. Some states may require parents to have a certain level of education or first have homeschooling approved.
They may also require parents to create course plans that adhere to certain standards and report progress and learning periodically. Regardless, parents will usually not be expected to have any formal teaching qualifications.
Should I Pursue Credentials for Homeschooling?
The short answer is that obtaining credentials or certification may not be legally required but it may be beneficial. Pursuing credentials or certification can increase the level of expertise as a homeschool teacher and can also boost the legitimacy of homeschooling as a whole. Certificates you can pursue include teacher certifications and Registered Home Educator certificates.
Most teacher certifications require an Associate Degree or Bachelor Degree. If a parent is interested in pursuing certification they can look into alternative degrees such as an Online Undergraduate Degree or an Online Mater Degree program.
These traditionally take four years, but can often be completed in two years with the right motivation and dedication. Parents who decide to pursue higher-level certifications can find themselves with a broader scope of qualifications, enhanced confidence, and even higher-paying jobs in the future.
Obtaining certifications can also qualify homeschoolers for access to some private schools and other learning opportunities. While it’s not mandatory, obtaining certifications may benefit the parent and the home schooled student in the long term.
How Can I Obtain Qualifications for Homeschooling?
The most common qualification for homeschooling is simply having parental guardianship of the student. Beyond this, some states may have other requirements such as having a large enough budget to support educational materials, reporting progress regularly, creating a course of study, or obtaining local permission. If a parent is interested in certification or credentials they can look into alternative methods of getting an Associate or Bachelor degree such as taking classes online or attending a local community college.
Additionally, there are certificate programs that parents can factor into their homeschooling experience to gain the abilities and expertise needed to homeschool effectively. There are even Registered Home Educator certifications and a National Home Education Network Certification which can address the needs of homeschooling parents.
Conclusion
Homeschooling is becoming increasingly more accepted as a viable option for education, and many states are passing legislation to recognize homeschools. Generally, the main qualification needed to homeschool is parental guardianship of the student. Some states may have additional requirements such as having approved courses of study or reporting progress regularly.
Parents may not be required to have certifications or credentials, but obtaining certificates can greatly increase the quality of homeschooling and have other benefits. For parents who are interested in pursuing certificates or credentials alternative methods of getting an Associate or Bachelor degree such as online college or attending a local community college can be part of the plan.
Additionally, there are a few certificates programs specifically tailored to the needs of homeschooling parents.