I find myself embarrassed sometimes when asked about the requirements for homeschooling. No one ever doubts me, and I have always had a positive response when I tell people I homeschool. I suppose it helps that I am a certified teacher and live in a very supportive community. However, when they ask about the state guidelines and requirements, I kind of feel embarrassed. I explain that I have to submit a letter of intent to homeschool to the county superintendent stating that I will teach the core subjects. People proceed to question what comes next or how do I prove that I am teaching what I need to. My only response is that I have to let them know if I decide to stop homeschooling. That is all there is to it. I know some of you hate your state requirements, but at least there are some guidelines or requirements. Something that your state uses as "proof" that you are teaching your kids. I then proceed to ask people if they are really surprised considering how low AZ ranks in education. I was just thinking about that this morning and wondered what everyone else thought about your state's requirements. Oh, I also like to point out to people that on the letter of intent to homeschool, is a section you can fill out that you intend to not start your child in school until they are 8...yes, that is 8. I cannot imagine starting a child at the age of 8 in ps and expecting them to not have issues adjusting. Ok, I will stop rambling now, I just knew you all would be the most understanding of my thoughts. :wink:
I'm in TX where, for the most part, there are no requirements. Yeah, we're "supposed" to teach math and reading and stuff, but there is NO follow-up (unless you royally screw up and CPS is called or something). There is no filing for a child who has never been enrolled, but if you pull one out of PS, you have to inform the school you're doing so. I like the freedom. I know I'm in the minority, but I WOULD like a weeeee bit of regulation. (1) I'd like to see letters of intent simply for statistical anaylsis. I think there are a lot more HS'ers in TX than we're given credit for. (2) I'd also like to see an option for testing or review. I think that test/review should show progress only, not a standard one-size-fits-all requirement for kids of all abilities. Many people HS because PS doesn't fit their child's needs, whether it's too hard or too simple for them. Other than that, I don't think states should play a role in HS'ing at all.
My state doesn't require any letter of intent. If your child is currently in school and you pull them, you submit a letter of withdrawal. We have to track hours totaling 1,000 for a calendar year. At least 600 have to be in the core subjects (dispersed however you see fit). BUT.... and here's the crazy part.... No one except a warrant from a judge can demand to see your records. As you can imagine, that only happens in the MOST extreme of circumstances and only AFTER they have probably cause for a warrant. So we dutifully keep our records knowing no one will ever see them. I like having the accountability of having to meet certain requirements, but the freedom in knowing I'll never have to show them. [As to being embarrassed when people ask about regulations: I'd simply inform them that the State of Missouri agrees that I am more than qualified to teach my children. Period. I wouldn't answer any further questions unless they were someone genuinely interested in wanting to homeschool.]
I usually just say, that they can worry about me proving it after they require the state to prove that they teach students in public school what they need to.
SC is fairly simple, too. We are required to either go through the school system or an accountability group. The state requires we do 180 days of school, cover the core subjects and keep a portfolio with samples of child's work. Accountability groups have to report how much students are in their group and I think their age and grade levels. The requirements beyond that are based on your accountability group. Most have very little requirements, but the oldest SCAIHS is the strictest. They require much more detailed records of curriculum and what's taught as well as standardized testing in certain grade levels. I like the fact that our state is not very strict. (Although, I must admit that the little requirements do help motivate me to stay on top of things.) I hate the thought that I would ever move to a state where you have to go through the school system and run through hoops to home school. When asked about how the state knows you are teaching your kids, I usually say they don't. But, if you love your child and want them to succeed in life, you will teach them. There may be a few home schoolers that don't care, but most home school because they do care.
In MI there is nothing to report to anyone. I also have been asked what the requirements are etc., or how I will get him back into public school (which we don't plan on doing). The ps question is easy... he gets tested by the school we want to enroll in for placement. I guess it is an akward question, but I really am happy not having to worry about the government sticking their nose in it. As far as testing to see how he is progressing, I can pay for him to take the MEAP or the ITBS if I want to. Then the results are just for me. In agreement with the others. I make sure I provide a good education for my son because I want him to succeed.
In Oregon we have to submit a letter of intent once (then again if we move into another district). We have to test the kids in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10...basic skills (this is waaay less than what the public schools do). We do not have to submit test scores to anyone, unless they are requested (which can happen anytime), but this never happens.
Hi here we only have to submit a letter of intent to homeschool at the beginning of each year. I like it that way. I don't feel that I need to test my kids to see how they compare to the standard. Part of our reason for homeschooling is realizing there is no real standard just an average based on how well PS kids take tests. That isn't learning in my books it's rote memorization. So I like knowing I don't have to prove that my kids are learning which I know they are. Oh yes and I like that we don't have to prove anything because frankly I do teach my kids subjects vastly different from the public school system. Therefore I don't see how testing them with a PS based test is going to prove how much they are progressing other then in the 3 r's.
That is only if you pull your kids out and they have a record of them. I don't do anything. The school doesn't know my kids exist. I like the freedom.
I used to live in AZ and could not believe how lax the HS laws were! I move to PA which is considered a highly-regulated state. Personally, I don't mind it...I'd rather have some accountability. So far, we've had no issues. I think I'd prefer SOME regulation vs. NO regulation because there are those out there who would abuse the system if there's no regulation. That makes me sad - that there's no personal accountability. BUT...I also waiver on how much interference I can stand. So far, in PA, we file a letter of intent every year by Aug 1 from the age of 8 to 17. We also have to count days and maintain a portfolio that is evaluated by a state licensed evaluator/teacher (the authorization letter has to be submitted to the district). Also, they need to take standardized testing in 3rd, 5th and 8th grades. My kids have done very well, and we've had no issues!
I tell them that it's none of the state's business what I do/do not teach my children. Until they finally get all the kids that ARE intrusted to them taken educated properly, they have no business worrying about those that AREN'T.
I live in Ohio and I think the state guidelines are appropriate. We have to send a letter of intent each year and then if we continue we need either testing or a portfolio review by a certified teacher. The majority of people I know use the portfolio review because what our kids are learning in a homeschool environment doesn't always fit in with the standardized test they would take. Some use the testing for their personal use and portfolio review for the school system. I would not be happy with any further oversight from the state, but I also get the responses from people who can't believe that I don't have a specific curriculum or regular testing to "prove" my child is learning. I'm quite confident that my kids are learning much more than they were learning in PS.
I think it's none of the state's business. They are not accountable to God for my children, I am. They do not know and love my children, I do. They are not held accountable for failing to teach my child, why should I be? I think high regulation is a much bigger threat to children than no regulation.
I live in Wisconsin and we have fought long and hard to stay de-regulated. The purpose? Because we do not want the state dictating what we must teach, when we must teach it or how we must teach it. The more regulation, the more the state will be involved in telling you what to do. It's pretty much that simple.
I love that Texas is so non-regulated. When I look at the TEKS they have laid out for the schools to ensure that the subjects are covered, it is really ridiculous. There is no real learning that can come from them as they are so vague and rambling.
I am not embarrassed AT ALL. I live in Texas and we have to teach spelling, English, math, and good citizenship. It doesn't say what level, how many years for any of these subjects. We don't have to do a required amount of hours or days. I think education needs to be looked in a whole different way- a paradigm shift in thinking. When a population goes through the same routine year after year, it is easy to "think" that it is the right way to do things. BUT, what if it isn't? The public school has tried for years to improve their system. Pushing harder academics earlier-sorry isn't working. Throwing more money at the problem-oops, not working either. Standardized testing-not a winner. All the regulations and rules and requirements aren't working in the public schools-so why would I want all those rules and stuff for my homeschool. The truth is this-we don't understand the way children learn completely and there are many different way children learn. IMO-I think the more pressure we put on them-the less success we will see. I don't know about you, but I learn all the time. One thing I enjoy learning is Spanish. I took some classes years ago. That may have given me a starting point, but I have really started learning as I have pursued it on my own-speaking with neighbors and co-workers who speak the language. It is unpressured learning and it is great. I did enjoy the classes, but I already had a desire to learn Spanish. Don't get me wrong, I am not the kind of parent that doesn't make my son learn things he isn't interested in-I just don't make him learn all that "stuff" that the system requires. Another thing about regulations-I am so glad I don't have to have my son tested. Tests show very little about what someone knows or doesn't know. My son can speak about many different things in U.S. history that a great many high school graduates wouldn't even care about. If you give him a test from a textbook, it won't look like he knows much, because the tests only show how well you can remember a bunch of facts. He absorbs history, because he loves it. So, should I teach him out of a textbook and be glad the state has requirements about it (if they should do that), or should I let him learn more information than the textbook can provide?
i have people ask why I am not following the state curriculum the public schools are using. Why on earth would I want to continue with something that totally destroyed her confidence and love of learning? That's why we are at home. She helps choose what we're studying and enjoys it, there's a novel idea
Another AMEN!!!!! I live in NJ, and we have no contact with the state or school district. We are required to teach the same subjects. If there were any doubt that we are teaching our children I would have to show proof. Frankly, I teach way beyond the basic requirements. For those of you who would like further regulations, would you not do an adequate job of teaching your kids if the state weren't following up on you? Why do you need required testing? If you would like your kids tested you can do this? What will required reporting do for your child?:?: I really don't get it.
My province is the same. I have to submit a letter of intent at the beginning of each school year. Part of that form letter states that I will teach my kids the basic subjects (Language Arts, Science, Math, Social Studies, etc). That's it. There's no follow up unless there is reason to believe the children aren't receiving a proper education (ie CPS is called, or someone calls the dept of ed to report it). I like it this way. That said, I can totally understand what you mean, because without fail, everytime someone new finds out we're homeschooling, one of the first questions is about what rules/regulations/testing/whatever are involved in being "allowed" to hs you kids. And once they find out there aren't any of those things, responses are usually one of the following: -"oh" (somehow said with a tone of both disbelief and disapproval) -"Then how do you know your kids are learning what they're supposed to?" -"That's not right! There should be some accountability!" It automatically puts you on the defensive, which sucks. But I'm slowly learning to not let those kinds of comments get to me. I know my kids are bright, and they're learning, and that their education is very important to my husband and me. That's what really matters.
