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Homeschooling: How to Get Started |
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Homeschooling is becoming a common alternative to traditional classroom
teaching. Today, more parents and guardians are opting to teaching their
children at home, with an estimated 750,000 to 1,000,000 students learning in a
home environment. Many parents believe that homeschooling provides their
children with a custom or more complete education than public or private
schools. It is easy to get started – you just have to do your homework.
Legality -- Can I Teach my Child from Home?
It is legal to
homeschool your child in the U.S. and many other countries. Each state has
different laws regarding homeschooling, which can range from simple guidelines
to more formal legal requirements. Look for a local, state or regional home
education organization to provide basic information on the laws that pertain to
your state.
Finding the Support You Need
Some home education
departments will also provide a list of support groups in your area. These
support groups are usually run by volunteers who also homeschool their children.
You can find a support group in your area to get the encouragement and
information you need from experienced homeschooling families.
In
addition to state and local support groups, private groups can be particularly
helpful. Their services range from providing books, materials and other
resources to consultation, testing and distance education programs. These groups
are designed to serve homeschooling families and not only sell the supplies and
services you need, but provide helpful information and referrals.
Additional Resources
There are many resources available to the
new homeschooler. Get the information you need to get started on the right foot.
Read books on homeschooling. Browse web pages and links and read different
articles that are available to you.
Remember that the benefit of
homeschooling is that you can customize the education to fit the needs of your
children and your family. You can choose the educational methods that work best
for you.
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