Every parent has the right to determine how their child receives an education. Michigan offers many options for how to educate a child, and one of these options is homeschooling.
Homeschooling is a popular education route for Michigan parents, though there is still a lot of confusion as to what actually needs to be done in order to properly homeschool a child. Obviously, each situation is unique, but there are several common steps that need to be taken in order to make sure that a child is receiving a proper education, as well as the assistance needed to make sure that their experience is the best it can be. This article will explore those steps, as well as other helpful information, in order to help a parent in Michigan better understand what it takes to homeschool their child.
What is the Michigan Homeschool Law?
There are certain laws and requirements that each state has when it comes to educating a child outside of the public school system. The state of Michigan’s homeschool law is actually quite friendly.
The law itself states that parents must either create their own curriculum and instruction, or use a curriculum from a third party. Either way, the parent must also make sure that their child is learning the subjects that would be found in traditional schools, such as mathematics, science, language arts and social studies. Parents must also have their child tested on their knowledge each year, and keep records of the tests until the child is 18 years old, or graduates.
What Subjects Should Be Covered?
The framework of curriculum that a homeschooling parent in Michigan should use is the same as what would be taught in any other public or private school in the state. This means that along with the standard courses, such as Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Physical Education, there may also need to be courses that are more in depth in faith-based areas, such as moral studies, Bible-based courses or other religious studies. Along with this, the parent may choose to include courses in the fields of foreign language, the arts, music, and health.
What Subject Materials are Available?
A huge part of homeschooling is the materials that are used for each course. Thankfully, there are a number of different options for materials in the state of Michigan. Homeschooling parents can find a wide variety of materials from educational book publishers, such as Horizon, Alpha Omega, and even publishers outside of the state.
For more faith-based studies, religious book publishers, such as BJU Press and Bob Jones, offer a number of helpful materials to choose from. Other materials that may be used in homeschooling curriculums include textbooks, magazines, online materials, and even library books.
Are There Any Educational Support Groups in Michigan?
Michigan is a great place for homeschooling families, as the state has many different support groups that can help families in the process. There are a variety of support groups located all across Michigan, such as the Michigan Association of Home Educators, MIHomeschooler, and Homeschoolers of Michigan, which can provide families with a great wealth of information and help throughout the homeschooling process. These organizations are great for providing parents with resources for helping their child in their education journey, as well as offering support for the parents themselves.
What Kind of Testing is Necessary?
Michigan requires that parents have their homeschooled child take a standardized test every year in order to make sure that the child is making progress in his/her education. The examination must cover the language arts, math, science, and social studies, and it must be administered by a test administrator recognized by the state. Parents can either choose to have their child take the MI-Access, which is the state’s standardized test, or they can choose to have their child take a different academic assessment that is approved by Michigan.
Are There Homeschool Support Programs in Michigan?
In order to help homeschooling families in the state, Michigan offers a number of support programs that are designed to help families in several different areas. The state offers a homeschool recruitment and retention program, which assists families in providing their homeschooled children with access to supplemental educational materials and activities. There is also a homeschool parent tutor program, which matches homeschooling parents with tutors that can help their child with subjects that the parent may not understand as well.
Can Homeschoolers Participate in Extracurricular Activities?
The great thing about homeschooling in Michigan is that homeschooling students can still take part in the state’s many extracurricular activities. Homeschool students are allowed to participate in sports teams, as well as other activities like band, music, debate, etc.
In order to do so, parents will have to register their child with the school district in which they live. Each school district has different policies regarding how they handle homeschooled students participating in extracurricular activities, so it is important to contact the individual district beforehand and see if they have any requirements or restrictions.
Is There an Academic Counselor or Mentor Available?
Whenever a student is homeschooled, it is important that they have someone to help guide and mentor them throughout the educational process. Michigan offers a number of mentors and counselors who are specifically trained in helping homeschooled children.
These professionals are available free of charge, and they can provide families with guidance on various curriculum and course selections, as well as provide tips on how to best educate their child from home.
Are There Any Events or Conferences for Homeschooling Students?
Michigan is home to a number of great conferences and events for homeschooling families. These events provide parents with the chance to network with other homeschooling families, as well as to obtain helpful educational resources and materials.
There are several state-wide conventions, as well as local workshops and events held throughout the year, so it is important that parents stay up to date on these events in order to give their homeschooled student the opportunity to participate in such activities.
Are there any Support Services for Families Overwhelmed with Homeschooling
Homeschooling can definitely be overwhelming for some, as there’s a lot to consider when it comes to the process. Thankfully, there are a number of different support services and organizations in Michigan that are designed to help homeschooling families. These services provide help with curriculum selection, creating timetables, and dealing with any other issues that may arise from homeschooling.
These services are offered free of charge, so parents should take advantage of them in order to properly educate their homeschooled student.
Are There Any Homeschoolers Groups/Organizations?
Michigan has a large number of homeschooling organizations that can provide families with valuable assistance and resources. Some of these organizations are state-wide, while others are local and are focused in specific counties or areas. These groups are great for networking, acquiring resources, and providing families with support while they are homeschooling their children.
How to Make Sure Your Child is on Track with Their Homeschool Education?
When it comes to making sure that a child is on track with their homeschool education, it is important to set up a timely and consistent academic schedule. Setting up a timetable that provides a number of different subjects each day can really help with staying on track and making sure that a child doesn’t fall too far behind in their studies.
Along with this, it is important to track the amount of time that a student is spending on each subject. This way, parents can make sure that the child is not spending too much time on one area and not enough on another.
Conclusion
Homeschooling a child in Michigan definitely has its challenges, but it can also be a very rewarding experience. In order to make sure that a child is correctly homeschooled, parents must take a few steps, such as making sure that they comply with the state homeschool law, finding the right materials, utilizing support groups and mentors, and tracking their child’s progress.
Taking these steps and understanding what each one entails is important in order to ensure that the homeschooling process will be successful.