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The first step you need to take before you get started with home schooling is to check with the HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association). This organization will not only offer you legal advice, but they will provide a free summary of your state’s home-school laws. Each state sets its own laws governing home education. Complying with these laws can be as simple as informing the school district of your intent to home school and having your child tested, or even fulfilling the requirements to become a private school.
Constitutional rights to liberty and privacy under the Fourteenth Amendment and the free exercise of religion under the First Amendment guarantee parents the right to educate their children according to their convictions.
Home Schooling does require a time commitment. Time requirements vary according to the methods used, the ages of the children, and the number of children being taught. Of course the big question is whether parents are qualified to teach? Only you know your children better than anyone else and have the deepest love and concern for them. Educationally, one-to-one tutoring has many advantages over a classroom where one teacher is required to meet the needs of several children at different learning levels. You do not need to know everything in order to teach.
Dr. Brian Ray, president of the National Home Education Research Institute, conducted an analysis of standardized test results for 16,320 home-school children. He found these children to average at or above the 73rd percentile in all subject areas and demonstrated that there is little relationship between parents’ education levels and children’s scores. Dr. Ray says, “The tutorial method of teaching is the superior method—a close student/teacher relationship, family values, motivation, flexibility, and individualization.”
“Socialization” may be the most misunderstood aspect of home schooling. Popular opinion assumes that children need interaction with a group of peers to acquire social skills. To the contrary, children who are educated outside of the home are prone to accept their peers’ and teachers’ values over those of their parents. Some advantages of freedom of peer pressure can be self-confidence, independent thinking, the ability to relate to people of all ages, and better family relations.
Thousands of universities and colleges accept home-schooled children. Many of these schools actively recruit home-educated graduates because of their maturity, independent thinking skills, creativity, and extensive academic preparation. In preparation for college entrance or vocational training programs, parents should prepare a transcript of high school work, award a diploma, and specify an actual high school graduation date. SAT or ACT scores are usually required for college admission.
There is no correct method or curriculum to use. Your choices of text books, computer software and other learning tools can be based on the ages of your children, subject matter being taught, your children’s abilities and needs, etc. You may order texts and software directly from the publishers or through mail order companies. You also have your public library which is free and which you will find to be your greatest tool. An extension program offered through a local Christian school or church can provide teaching materials, testing and support groups. The costs of materials or programs vary considerably, but are always less than a private school, not to mention these materials can be reused for siblings. You will find that home teaching requires more of an investment in time, rather than involving your pocket book. Of course pressure from family and friends can be a deterrent. Make a well-informed decision about your choice to home school and stand on your convictions.
Check with your public library for books on home schooling or look up home school on the Internet. There are thousands of families that talk about their home school adventures over their web pages. The information out there is endless. Home schooling is a way of life in which the home is the center of life and learning, it is a privilege and responsibility.
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