Homeschooling is becoming an increasingly popular option for parents who wish to provide their children with an individualized and quality educational experience. Homeschooling provides an alternative educational opportunity to traditional campus schools, and offers a range of benefits. In order to make the most of homeschooling, there are certain basics that parents need to understand.
This article will cover the basic information regarding homeschooling in order to help parents get started with homeschooling their children.
What is Homeschooling
Homeschooling, also known as home education, is the practice of educating children at home in lieu of enrolling them in a traditional school setting. Homeschooling can be implemented for a variety of reasons, including religious beliefs, medical issues, or academic preferences.
Homeschooling is becoming increasingly popular and has grown in the past few decades due to the availability of curricular materials and the advancement of technology. Homeschooling is a viable option for many families who wish to provide their children with an individualized educational experience, as well as other benefits.
Benefits of Homeschooling
There are several benefits to homeschooling that make it an attractive option for parents. One of the main benefits is that homeschooling allows parents to tailor their child’s curriculum to their individual needs and goals. Homeschooling also provides opportunity for parents to infuse their family’s values and beliefs into the curriculum.
Additionally, homeschooling allows for greater flexibility in scheduling, and gives parents the opportunity to role model learning and interest in academics to their children. Homeschoolers also often have greater access to extracurricular activities, resources, and community involvement.
Challenges of Homeschooling
Though homeschooling can provide a number of benefits, it is important to recognize the potential challenges that parents may face. Homeschooling can be time consuming for parents, as they are responsible for creating and implementing the curriculum.
Parents must also be prepared to monitor the child’s work and provide guidance as needed. Additionally, parents must be prepared to address any socialization and learning issues that may arise. Finally, homeschooling is not always financially feasible, due to the costs of materials and resources and the fact that many parents must still work full-time.
Beginning Homeschooling
If parents decide that homeschooling is the best option for their family, they must take the necessary steps to begin homeschooling. First, parents must research the legal requirements for homeschooling in their state. These requirements may include filing a notice of intent, providing instructional materials for review, and/or obtaining standardized test scores.
Additionally, parents must plan a curriculum for the student. This includes selecting curriculum tools and resources, establishing goals and objectives, and planning activities related to the curriculum.
Ongoing Homeschooling
Once started, homeschooling can become a regular part of the family schedule. Parents should establish an organized learning environment for their children by creating routines, timetables, and year-long lesson plans.
It is important for the parents to remain flexible in order to address the needs of their children and make adjustments as needed. Parents should also seek out resources and extracurricular opportunities to expand the student’s educational experience. These can include online courses, libraries, museums, or other enrichment activities.
Evaluating Student Progress
Parents are responsible for assessing their child’s academic level and monitoring their child’s progress. This can be done through a variety of methods, such as obtaining external testing, keeping student portfolios, providing regular assessments, and/or giving course grades.
These assessments should be done regularly to ensure that the child is progressing and to identify areas of need.
Accessing Homeschooling Support Systems
Finding and accessing local homeschooling support systems can provide parents with additional help, resources, and guidelines for successful homeschooling. These support systems can include parent networks, homeschool conferences, or homeschool cooperatives. Additionally, parents may find assistance through local libraries, curriculum vendors, and even online groups.
Documenting Progress in Homeschooling
In order to keep track of the student’s progress, parents should document each year of homeschooling. This can be done by writing a homeschool portfolio, which is a detailed record of the student’s progress. The portfolio should include any courses that the student has taken, transcripts, report cards, and test scores.
Testing for Homeschoolers
Many parents opt for their children to take standardized tests in order to evaluate their progress and academic levels. Tests such as the Stanford 10, SAT, ACT, or GED can be taken annually, and can provide a more accurate measure of student progress than in-house assessments. Additionally, many colleges and universities accept these test scores as part of a college application.
Transitioning Back to Traditional Schools
When the time comes for a homeschooled student to transition back to a traditional school setting, it is important to ensure a smooth transition. It is important to assess the most recent academic standing and level of the student and make sure that the student is prepared to enter the traditional school system. Additionally, parents should assess what type of school environment would be best suited for their child and if any special accommodations, such as testing or extra help, are needed.
Conclusion
Homeschooling is a viable educational option for many families and can provide many benefits. Understanding the basics of homeschooling is the first step for parents to implement homeschooling into their daily lives.
This article has discussed the basics of homeschooling such as what homeschooling is, the benefits, challenges, beginning steps, and ongoing support and resources. By understanding the basics of homeschooling, parents can make informed decisions regarding the educational options for their children.