What to Know Before Homeschooling
Considering the educational journey for your child and exploring alternative avenues of learning can be both exciting and daunting. One such alternative gaining increasing attention is homeschooling. The decision to homeschool your child is a significant choice that involves carefully considering various factors, from educational philosophies to careful planning. It offers a unique opportunity to tailor your child’s education to their individual needs and interests. Delving into the world of homeschooling requires thoughtful consideration, dedication, and understanding of the responsibilities involved in guiding your child’s educational path outside the traditional classroom setting. Before embarking on such a journey, you must keep a few things in mind: compulsory attendance age, the notification of mandatory reporting, curriculum and instruction, assessment and evaluation, and why homeschooling is something you wish to embark upon. This article was written to help prospective parents looking to homeschool and give a quick overview of some requirements if one wishes to head down this road.
Compulsory Attendance Age
The minimum age at which a child must begin attending school and the age at which they are required by law to continue their education is referred to as the “compulsory attendance age.” This means from what age the student must be enrolled into school legally until early adulthood, which usually equates to graduation. By establishing this age range, educational systems aim to provide equal opportunities for learning and development, setting a standard for educational engagement. Remember the age at which your child must start school may vary from state to state. For instance, as of 2023 in California, the compulsory attendance age is six, while in Washington it is eight years old. This illustrates how each state has different laws. For this reason, it’s crucial to look up your laws for your state to ensure your child starts on time.
Notification of Mandatory Reporting
Another factor parents should be aware of is the notification of mandatory reporting. The notification of reporting requirements relates to parents’ and schools’ duties to share important data about a child’s attendance, development, and academic standing. In some states, the parents are not required to report to the district regularly; however, it may be the school district’s responsibility to check in on homeschooled children. For this reason, copious records should be kept in addition to planning the curriculum for your child. States such as New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island have much stricter laws and should be thoroughly reviewed. Because teaching is an art requiring a great deal of planning, research, and time, record-keeping will be factored and added into the equation.
Curriculum and Instruction
Most parents might find teaching daunting as they don’t know where to begin regarding the actual art of teaching and curriculum planning. The foundation of your child’s education comprises the curriculum and teaching strategies that will be used to educate them. These policies specify the courses, learning goals, and instructional methods to provide your child with information and skills that build upon themselves systematically as the child grows academically. A well-designed curriculum supports critical thinking, accommodates a variety of learning preferences, and prepares the child for the challenges of today’s world. Good teaching practices by the parent create an engaging learning environment by improving the child’s engagement, comprehension, and retention.
So, the big question is, what is your child’s best curriculum and instruction? In most cases, this is up to the parent who is choosing to homeschool. There are no clear-cut answers, and like the other topics covered within this article, it is essential to review what your state mandates are regarding the expectations of your childs curriculum. Once a clear picture has been formulated, parents can start to research teaching strategies, gather assignments, and develop assessments that align with your states educational expectations. That being said, finding the suitable material or pathway to ensure the child receives an education comparable to those in a public setting can be daunting. Though there are many ways one can begin the research process to adopt a curriculum that’s right for them, there are many free resources to ensure the child is progressing in chorus with peers in a public setting. For instance, the Common Core State Standards are a great place to start.
The Common Core Standards define the educational expectations of what the child must know in each grade. Many states follow these standards, so your state likely adheres to them. A parent looking to homeschool can use these as a blueprint to map out the curriculum and ensure their child meets their state’s educational standards. As of 2023, the states that do not adhere to the standards are Alaska, Arizona, Indiana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. For this reason, parents should review local laws and expectations for those states. In South Carolina, for example, the students must be taught reading, writing, math, science, and social studies, and in grades seven through twelve, composition and literature. Though the state does not follow the Common Core Standards, the state does have a framework that must be followed. The example of not following the Common Core Standards by South Carolina is why it is essential to research educational laws in your state. This shows how expectations vary from state to state. Parents must review this to ensure no laws are broken, and they meet their state’s educational rules.
The Common Core Standards are not the only resource that can be utilized when embarking on homeschooling. Prospective parents can also talk to other parents who homeschool their children and look to local conventions specializing in this. Conventions are a great place to learn more about the subject, find motivation, and become inspired. These shows give prospective parents an insight into what it takes to take on such an endeavor, but in addition, showcase the results and success of those parents who have homeschooled their children.
Another concern if a parent wishes to homeschool their children is the credentials needed to teach at home. Many states require that the parent at least have a high school diploma. Your state’s requirements to become an educator for your child should be investigated to ensure a prospective parent looking to teach can do so. These requirements ensure educators have the abilities, know-how, and certifications to provide high-quality instruction for their children.
Assessment and Evaluation
Policies for assessment and evaluation strongly emphasize tracking students’ academic progress and comprehension. These policies cover a range of evaluation methods, such as assignments, tests, and ongoing evaluations. When a student is homeschooled, like their counterparts in a public school setting, they too must be assessed to ensure they have met their educational standards. The assessment requirements vary from state to state, so parents should familiarize themselves with meeting these assessment standards and the assessment process. States that do not require an assessment of the child’s educational progress in 2023 are Idaho, Texas, Oklahoma, Alaska, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Why Homeschool?
Finally, it is important to internalize and ask yourself why you wish to embark on homeschooling. Some questions that can be asked are: What are the benefits of a homeschool setting versus a public setting, will my child get the proper support needed to grow academically, what can be offered to my child that a public/private school cannot provide, what is the long term vision and the expectation I foresee in my child’s growth, and finally, do I have the time to take on such a commitment. A prospective parent should look at every angle and determine if such a path is worth their effort and if homeschooling fits into their household. Every parent is different and every family will homeschool for their own reasons. All doubts, questions, and hurdles must be thought through, and answers gathered to be sure this something a parent wishes to take on.
Final Thoughts
In summary, educational policies are crucial in forming the academic environment and guaranteeing fair access to high-quality education, even in a homeschool setting. This article was written to give a quick insight into what it takes to homeschool and get started. As stated throughout this article, you must research the laws and regulations provided by your state. All states have their policies published online and can easily be explored. That said, hopefully, this article will give prospective parents a window into the process of homeschooling and allow them to become more empowered regarding their children’s education.