Getting Ready For Home Schooling
There is no argument regarding the importance of education. Be that as it may, there are choices to be made when teaching kids. Most people prefer to have their children participate in formalized institutional education, such as public and private schools.
But recent trends show that many people are now beginning to home school their children, or at the very least, strongly considering that option.
Home schooling seems to be making a comeback of sorts. Before the proliferation of formal school systems, home schooling was the norm. Nowadays, it seems to be surging in popularity because of the increasing disapproval of public school curriculums. Many people feel they can teach their kids more effectively in the home environment.
Perhaps you are interested in home schooling your child. Just like picking a school for your child, the decision to home school is a very big one. This would most obviously translate to you taking your child out of a previous social learning environment and into the home to educate him or her. This also means that from then on, you are going to be fully responsible for the intellectual rearing of your child.
Because of this responsibility, certain rules and guidelines have been set by many states that parents must follow if they want to home school their child. It is important to read these guidelines for your state so that you can be better prepared to know what is required of you when self-teaching your child.
Most states require some sort of notification that you will be home schooling your child. A few states are very "hands-off" and don't require any notification whatsoever.
Other states however, would require you first to notify the state and afterwards acquire your child’s grade records should he or she have attended a public school. After this, some states may require you to create a curriculum you intend to follow for your home schooling program, be accredited as a parent-teacher, and to host a home visit by your local education officials.
Later on, during the period when your child is already being home schooled, some states may require for you to submit to them evaluation scores, attendance records (states may require a minimum number of ‘school’ days for home school too) and even test scores.
It is very important for you to find out the different requirements for home schooling in your state. For one, it will help you make sure that once you home school your child, your child’s education is actually being recognized by the state. Without state approval, your home schooling may not be regarded, which may increase the difficulty for your child to move on to a university or college.
Second, the state may provide you with various forms and guidebooks as you home school your child. This assistance may prove valuable to you, especially if you are home schooling for the first time.
Third, by finding out these requirements, you will be able to submit to the state all the required documents that you must submit periodically. In this way, you are also assured that your child is at par level with any other child enrolled in a regular school setting.
Additionally, your state's education office may be able to provide information about the university application procedures for home schooled kids.
Certain home schooled kids may have to take additional steps in order to apply for admission to some colleges and universities. For example, some home schooled kids have been required to take and pass a G.E.D. exam to prove their core competencies in general subjects.
Your state's Department of Education will have information on college entrance requirements for certain schools, and will also have information on government scholarships your child may qualify for.
Home schooling is not for everyone, but for many students it has proven to be very successful. Your state's education office will have the information you need to help you make an informed decision on whether or not to home school your child.