Homeschooling is an alternative educational choice that has become more popular in the past few decades. This form of education is largely done by parents or tutors at home, although some families use public spaces or engage the services of tutors to conduct the classes.
This form of home-based teaching has various educational benefits, such as flexible schedules and allowance for children to focus on specific areas of strength. There are specific regulations in place for homeschooling, and it requires intentional planning from parents.
What is Homeschooling?
Homeschooling is the practice of educating one’s children at home, or in a location outside of the traditional or public school system. The main distinction between homeschooling and traditional schooling is that it’s usually done by a tutoring parent or a professional tutor, and the child is only taught by one teacher. The houseschooling parent or tutor designs a curriculum specific to the child’s age and education level.
Every aspect of the child’s schooling: subjects taught, approach to teaching, and the choice of resources are all tailor-made, making it very different from the traditional school setting. Other than the fact that the student is at home, what else makes homeschooling different from public or private schooling?
There are a few important differences to consider when making the decision whether to homeschool or keep the child in the traditional school system. The most obvious is that with homeschooling, the student’s education is designed and tailored to their specific needs and interests.
The student is not necessarily required to learn the same curriculum or topics as their peers in the traditional school system and teachers can move faster through or linger longer on topics that the student is showing proficiency in or is struggling with respectively. Furthermore, in a homeschooling setting, no time is wasted in transitioning from one subject to the other, or in disciplinary matters – the only thing you have to focus on is teaching and learning. Another big benefit of homeschooling is the flexible schedule.
You can choose the days, hours and frequency of classes that work best for you and your child. You can also teach based on the strength of the child, giving more attention and focus to their favorite and weaker subjects without constraints of school protocols.
Legal Considerations with Homeschooling
Homeschooling without the necessary paperwork and doing it without the appropriate licenses can land you in legal troubles. Regulations and requirements for homeschooling vary depending on the state you live in: some states require frequent assessment and attendance records, require standardized tests, or submit to state-level regulation.
In order to homeschool legally, families usually have to comply with their state’s homeschool laws. All states require you to register for homeschool or submit a notice of intention to local officials. It is important to know the rules that apply in your state before beginning a homeschool program.
In most states, you need to send in the form of notification to your local school district telling them that you intend to homeschool your child. You must also make sure that you’re following the curriculum, attendance, and assessment rules in your state. This isimportant, as some states require that you keep a specific number of school days, or have your student undergo an assessment through a qualified home school evaluator.
If the student completes a course of study or the school year, you will probably be expected to file a notice with the school district stating the completion of the grade or school year. Homeschoolers should also know the rules that apply when utilizing public classrooms or communal spaces for homeschool activities, including field trips and other educational outings.
In many cases, permission must be granted in order to have access to these resources, and homeschoolers should be aware of the rules for obtaining permission for field trips and other uses of public facilities.
Where to Find Resources for Homeschooling?
When it comes to homeschooling, having access to the right resources can be difficult at times. It is possible to find pre-packaged regimen covers all of the basics, but it is not always necessary to purchase pre-packaged materials. Parents can access public library resources as well as online resources, allowing parents to easily develop their own custom curricula that suits the goals and needs of their students.
Curriculum choices generally fall into three categories- pre-designed programs, unit studies and internet-based studies. Pre-designed programs are those that have been pre-packaged, printed and are easily ordered from retailers.
Unit studies are usually based on topics and organized into a series of activities or lessons that the student can completion. Internet-based education offers online courses, libraries of resources, and social media-based support communities for any homeschooler, making it possible for the student to find or create a curriculum or start their own learning style. There are a variety of resources available for different ages and skill levels, from K-12 curriculum to college entrance programs.
Supplementing textbooks and course materials with hands-on activities and practical assignments, such as experiments, projects, field trips and volunteering opportunities, can also help to bring the subject matter to life.
Equipment Necessary for Homeschooling
Homeschooling doesn’t require any specific equipment: all you really need is a comfortable environment, a desk and some basic school supplies like paper, pencils, erasers and a calculator. However, depending on the landscape of the instruction, some basic technology may be beneficial. Educational software and online resources such as Khan Academy and Codecademy can be very helpful in supplementing homeschool teaching.
Books, writing materials and art supplies can also be beneficial for parents when planning their teaching strategies and seeing how their children digest the material. Additionally, if budget permits and the student’s education requires it, homeschoolers may even consider investing in a laptop or desktop computer for online study or streaming educational shows.
The laptops or computers should have software installed designed to teach the student math and writing, as well as internet security programs to protect the student from any online threats.
Common Challenges of homeschooling
Homeschooling can be rewarding, but homeschoolers will also face certain challenges along the way. Firstly, the resource needs of homeschoolers: parents need to provide homeschoolers access to books, school supplies and technology, as well as the means to obtain them.
Additionally, parents may need to invest in educational tools and materials which may cost more than traditional schooling options. Other than the financial cost, there is also the emotional cost: not everyone understands or sees the value of homeschooling, and so parents may be met with resistance from family and friends. Homeschooling may cause a strain on the parents’ relationship as well, since homeschooling parents need to be able to work well together in order to ensure that the homeschooling program runs smoothly and effectively.
Problems with schedules, workload, and teacher expectations can also be difficult. Lastly, homeschoolers may also experience socialization issues, since they are not exposed to the same level of socialization as children in a classic school setting.
It is up to homeschoolers and their parents to do their best to find ways for them to connect with others, such as attending workshops, joining homeschool groups, and engaging in volunteer work.
Conclusion
Homeschooling is a practical and cost-effective educational choice that more and more parents are considering. It’s flexibility and tailored curriculum makes it an attractive option for many, however, not everyone is aware of the legal requirements and resources necessary to ensure the successful education of the student. Being well informed on the legal requirements and financial considerations associated with homeschooling ensures the best outcome for both the parents and the student.
Additionally, understanding the resources and tools available for homeschooling, as well as the financial implications, can help parents make an informed decision and determine whether homeschooling is the right educational choice for them.