Homeschooling your child in North Carolina can be an excellent choice for families looking for a customized, unique education. With homeschooling, you can control the curriculum, schedule, and overall structure of your child’s education. So, what do you need if you want to get started homeschooling your child in NC?
Below are 15 questions to discuss in order to ensure you have what it takes to provide homeschooling in the state of North Carolina.
What Are the Requirements to Homeschool in North Carolina?
First and foremost, homeschoolers must abide by the North Carolina homeschooling regulation, G. S. 115C-563, which states that homeschooling is conducted by “a parent, guardian, or other person having control or charge of the child”.
Homeschoolers must also provide any requested documents from their local school district in order to receive official approval to homeschool. In order to meet the state requirements to homeschool in North Carolina, parents must be certain to create a daily schedule that adheres to their local district’s requirements.
This schedule must include approximately four hours of core subjects such as math, science, and language arts. Parents must also provide detailed records of their child’s attendance, curriculum, and assessments.
Finally, parents must also provide proof of student progress reports to the district after completing each grade level. Failure to abide by these strict adherence requirements may result in consequences ranging from a warning letter to possible legal action.
What Are the Different Types of Homeschooling Options in North Carolina?
The three most popular types of homeschooling in the State of North Carolina include: traditional homeschooling, a church school or private school, or an online homeschool program. Traditional homeschooling is often the most popular option as it allows parents the greatest level of control over their child’s education.
Parents can choose from a variety of curriculums, determine the overall hours of instruction and subjects, and even customize the schedule to fit their child’s strengths and interests. Church schools or private schools are another popular option for homeschooling in the State of North Carolina. With this type of schooling, the parents become registered and accredited church schools, allowing for a publicly recognized diploma to be issued upon completion.
These schools often offer their own classes, curriculum, and extracurricular activities. Finally, online homeschooling has become increasingly popular in recent years. This type of schooling allows parents to create a virtual learning environment in which their child can participate in online classes, follow an online curriculum, and access a wealth of educational materials.
What is the Law in North Carolina Regarding Homeschooling?
The law in North Carolina regarding homeschooling states that parents must follow all “procedures for notifying the school district in which the family resides that the parent is withdrawing the child,” as detailed in G. S.
115C-56 Parents must also provide appropriate academic records and proof of student progress. Furthermore, the law requires that parents provide evidence that the student has attended a course in the following areas: English, mathematics, science, social studies, health and physical education, the constitutional foundation of American government, and the history of the United States of America.
Finally, parents must also ensure that their children receive a minimum of four hours of instruction per day in core subjects.
How Do I Choose a Curriculum for My Child?
When it comes to choosing a curriculum, there are a number of options available to parents. Some parents choose to purchase pre-packaged, all-in-one curriculums while others opt for individualized choices from various individual subject areas.
There are also a variety of online curriculums that parents can choose from. It’s important for parents to take the time to research different curriculums and decide what works best for their child’s learning style. Different curriculums provide varying levels of individualized instruction, so it’s wise to weigh all the options before making a final decision.
How Do I Find Support for Homeschooling My Child in North Carolina?
Finding support for homeschooling your child in North Carolina should not be a difficult task. There is an abundance of resources available to give parents the guidance and help they need.
Homeschool support groups are a great way to network and ask questions. These groups are typically organized by County or regional level and they often provide information on upcoming events and resources. There are also a variety of online support sites and forums available to parents looking for guidance.
Furthermore, homeschool conferences are often a great way to get information and learn about options for homeschooling. Online seminars, webinars, and conferences also provide a wealth of information on the legal and educational aspects of homeschooling.
Are There Any Supplemental Materials I Need for Homeschooling?
When it comes to homeschooling your child, there are a variety of supplemental materials that you may need such as: textbooks, workbooks, educational software, manipulative materials, and a variety of other materials. It’s important to consider your child’s learning style when selecting materials, as there are a variety of resources available to meet his or her individual needs. Parents should also take into consideration the amount of time a particular subject will require and make sure to obtain the necessary materials for that subject.
For instance, a student studying language arts may need a collection of novels, a grammar book, and a thesaurus for reference. Similarly, a student studying math may need additional workbooks and flash cards for practice and reinforcement.
How Do I Assess My Child’s Progress During Homeschooling?
Assessing your child’s progress during homeschooling is a crucial part of the process. It’s important to evaluate your child’s informational and skill-based assessments during the course of the year to ensure that he or she is meeting the educational goals set in place. There are a variety of ways to assess your child’s progress such as: standardized tests, portfolios, projects, essays, reports, and regular assessments.
No matter what form of assessment is used, it’s important to note that assessments should be tailored to your curriculum, as well as to your child’s learning style, abilities, and interests.
What Resources Are Available to Make Homeschooling Easier?
There are a number of resources available to make homeschooling easier. Scheduling tools and apps are a great way to keep track of your child’s daily activities and assist with lesson planning. Educational games and videos can also help to keep your child engaged during the learning process.
In addition, there are a variety of co-ops, field trips, and other activities for homeschoolers in the area that can lend to a more beneficial learning experience. Many libraries also offer story time and other activities for homeschoolers to take advantage of.
Do I Need to Keep Records of My Child’s Homeschooling?
Yes, when it comes to homeschooling, it’s important to keep detailed records of your child’s progress. Detailed records should include: weekly lesson plans, daily attendance records, records of your child’s academic progress, and any assessments completed.
It’s also important to save any educational materials that your child uses such as textbooks, workbooks, test scores, and assignment sheets. This will provide evidence for your child’s academic success over time and will be beneficial when it comes time to apply for college, scholarships, or other opportunities.
Do I Need to Be Certified to Homeschool in North Carolina?
No, parents are not required to be certified to homeschool in North Carolina. However, it is important to be aware of the North Carolina homeschooling regulation and to ensure that you are following all applicable laws. It’s also important to ensure that your child receives the four hours of core instruction needed per day to meet the state requirements.
Furthermore, all local school districts typically require that parents provide records, portfolios, and assessments to the district each year.
How Do I Prepare My Child for College?
When it comes time for your child’s college admissions process, preparation is key. Homeschooled children must be able to demonstrate their academic strengths and demonstrate that they have a completed a comprehensive homeschool curriculum. For this reason, it’s especially important for homeschooling parents to lay out a detailed academic plan for their child and to keep organized, comprehensive records.
Furthermore, it’s important to make sure that your child takes the necessary ACT or SAT tests for college admissions, as well as any other college entrance examinations. It’s also important for homeschooled students to supplement their learning with extracurricular activities such as volunteer work, internships, and community involvement.
How Much Does It Cost to Homeschool a Child?
The overall cost of homeschooling a child can vary depending on the curriculum chosen, the type of classroom materials purchased, and the learning materials used. Generally, the cost of purchasing pre-packaged curriculums and materials ranges from the low hundreds to a few thousand dollars. In addition, parents must also factor in their personal time to develop lesson plans, create assignments, and assess their child’s progress.
It’s also important to remember that there are a variety of free and low-cost materials available for homeschooling families, such as books from the library and educational videos from the internet.
Can I Receive Financial Assistance for Homeschooling My Child?
The availability of financial assistance for homeschoolers in North Carolina may vary from one school district to the next. Each county has the option to establish homeschool assistance programs and provide either tuition assistance, grants, or scholarship funds for homeschooling families.
It’s important to check with your local school district to see if any type of assistance program is available.
Conclusion
In conclusion, homeschooling your child in North Carolina can be an extremely rewarding and beneficial experience. By taking the time to answer the above questions, parents can prepare themselves to become successful homeschoolers and ensure they have all the necessary resources and tools available to provide an academically challenging and safe educational environment for their children.