I've been throwing around the idea of homeschooling my 13 year old for awhile but now I'm really leaning in that direction. He has always had trouble in public school. Almost every year since he started school, he's had to do summer school in order to be promoted to the next grade. I really think he's just one of those kids needs alot of one-on-one attention. He was sent to an alternative school for a couple of months because of failing grades and with the teacher and only 5 other students, he brought all of his failing grades up to A's and B's. Now he's back at his regular middle school and failing all of his classes again. I feel like this is my last option in order to make him academically successful. I do work full time and have 2 other children. I have no idea where to start with this. I know my state (Texas) doesnt require a letter of intent (although I will provide one anyway) and im reading that there is not a required curriculum so therefore I can create my own. Can you all please tell me where to start with this? I would like to pull him out of public school by next friday if possible. How does it work with standardized testing and how to ensure he passes his current grade and can go on to the next grade?? THanks everyone!!
If you're homeschooling him, you decide on when he's ready to go to the next grade! You don't have to do standardized testing if you don't want to! In TX all you have to do is notify the school that you'll be homeschooling. I think you have to cover citizenship and the "core" subjects, but what and how will be up to you. If you want him to go back to public for high school, they'll test him and place him accordingly. And if not, you graduate him! Have fun!
Welcome! Take a bit of time to deschool your son. Deschooling is also good for the parent. It is a time to get out of "school mode". Go to hslda.org to get information about testing and such for your state. All states are different in their requirements. The beauty of homeschooling is that your son is not restricted to grade levels. He advances by subject. In CA, we are required to list a grade when we file yearly. However, I can teach whatever grade level I want for each subject. The goal isn't to keep our children at public school level, it is to give them a strong foundation for learning. Many pubic school students can regurgitate information but they do not know how to learn or find answers. You can do it!!! Your son is at an age where he can also do a lot of the work on his own once he is in the flow of things. Best wishes!
I'm in Texas. Lindina's right. You just have to notify the school that you're removing him for the purpose of homeschooling. Be sure you hand deliver a copy on his last day, and also mail one with confirmation receipt so they can't say they weren't notified. You can use any curriculula you want as long as you're covering the basics (spelling, math, citizenship, etc.). Testing isn't required, although some do it for their own peace of mind. You'll issue a diploma yourself if you continue through 12th grade. Colleges accept homeschool diplomas if you meet the other requirements (SAT, essays, etc.). If he doesn't choose the college route, some types of jobs will require a GED.
I love hsing in Texas! You are not required to test, but I suppose you have that option if you choose to. With homeschooling, he only advances when he shows he's ready to advance. No pressure to keep up with any other student. And it's ok if he's on a 8th grade math level and a 6th grade science level. Start him out wherever he's at (a lot of curriculums have placement tests) and he'll eventually even out. If you need him to be able to work independently, you might try one of the computer based curr like SOS or Monarch. Several moms on here can give you ideas on all the options available. Good luck and welcome!
I agree with some deschooling- just relax and have some fun things to do for awhile. I would also suggest when starting to do school work, just do a couple of subjects at first- and really learn his learning style. My son- I finally realized does well with mastery type curriculum- less to focus on and can master before moving onto the next thing. I also had a nephew who finally in high school went to an alternative high school that allowed them to focus on 3 courses at a time- this really helped him and he was finally succeeding in school. Each child is different so just spend time with him and learn what he enjoys best- and how he learns best- auditory, visual, kinesthetic and a combo of them. Good luck!!
Wow! Thanks for all of the positive replies! You guys really made me feel alot better and more confident in my decision. I am still scared to death though but I really feel like once we start, everything will be fine. Is there a website that offers free curriculum for when I'm not able to create my own? What do you all do when your hs child needs to learn something that even YOU dont understand? My biggest fear is when he DOES get into high school curriculum and should be learning algebra or geometry. I would be sooo lost!!! Also, what does your hs child do during the day when he/she is at home and its not hs time? My husband says he will just sit and play xbox all day instead of reading/working on assignments, etc. He's not a very motivated child. Thanks again for all of your advice!!!
I am not in Texas but I am a newly HomeSchooling mom (since Wednesday). This is the best decision I have ever made. As far as math goes. There is Khan Academy and they have a load of math videos showing and explaining how to do math problems.
Deciding to homeschool all of our children has been the best thing we have ever done. I have had the best time even with the one that struggled so badly in school.
Some kids just DO better with the one-on-one type of education. I know for my son...he gets distracted very easily...and when he went to public school...he would get so distracted that he didn't keep up with his teacher's instructions and never finished his work papers. Now that I'm homeschooling him, I can keep him focused on his work and make sure he understands the material and finishes his papers. He just isn't cut out for a classroom setting. I believe you will see a big difference in your son with homeschooling and the individualized attention he gets.
First, there are a TON of free websites out there for K thru 12. Some even have videos that walk you step-by-step through things like Algebra, so don't sweat it. You can also find co-op groups, tutors, or whatever. It's not as big a deal as you might think. Second, if he's getting all his work done, meeting or exceeding expectations, and staying out of trouble, who cares if he plays xbox in the afternoon? Actually I USE our xbox as a tool to get my kids to be cooperative on bad days. We have Kinect, too, so they're allowed as much Kinect time as they want after the school work's done (to get some P.E. time... which ends up being no more than 45 minutes before they're totally pooped out), and they get a 1 to 1 ratio of plain old brain-rotting "xbox games" for reading time. If they read an hour (not related to assignments), they get an hour of xbox time. If they're screwing around when they're supposed to be picking up toys (younger) or doing school work (older), they lose xbox time. (Obviously "they" mostly refers to my older at this point. The younger isn't doing a whole lot of xbox or school yet.) Once you meet other families and get into activities, you'll find that it's easy to over-book your time so that school work suffers. You'll find yourself having to say no to things. Sitting on the couch eating potato chips and playing video games for hours on end isn't the norm for any homeschool families I know of... even the "bad" ones.
Oh homeschooling in Texas is so easy As far as standardized testing is concerned, it isn't required here. Our co-op offers it if we're interested, but I'm not going there with my kids yet. I can tell that they are learning and advancing without the pressure of the test on them. Maybe in a couple of years I will opt for it, but not right now. Google is a fantastic resource for free curriculum and also teachers paying teachers is a site where you can search for specific items and they have a ton of freebies there. I wouldn't try and achieve just a whole lot scholastically with him if you pull him now. Let him decompress a little over the spring and maybe in the summer dabble in some cool science stuff with him. Just ease him into the different learning environment so he sees that it can be fun to learn! This will also give you a good idea of how he learns the best Good luck and just enjoy it!!
Math is my worst subject and my daughter has passed me up already. So if I can do it, so can you! There are many programs that do the teaching. You can also purchase teacher's guides with many of the math programs. They help guide you through the lesson. Many homeschool parents learn with their children as they teach them. I believe that it is more important to teach our children how to learn rather than filling a pail. As long as your student knows how to read, your student knows how to learn. Even school teachers do not always have the answers to problems. They also have to look over their guides for direction. You can do it!
