Posted in FAQs
Because of the variances between state to state, I am using my home state of Colorado as the basis for these statements. For educational options in your state, click the table of flags at right to visit your state page with HSLDA.
Q: So what is homeschooling anyway?
A: Put simply, homeschooling is choosing not to place your child in public, private, or charter school, and instead choosing to educate your child out of a home-based model. This does not mean the child must remain inside the home to pursue their education. Most homeschooling families have field trips and activities, including team sports, physical education such as dance classes or gymnastics, and science groups or other clubs based on interests. In all cases, however, the parents remain in control of the curricula used and the child does a significant portion of their work based out of the home.
Q: We have our child in a virtual academy. Isn't that Homeschooling?
A: Unfortunately, no, it's not. That is what is called "public school at home." Although many parents choose this option for very valid and good reasons, such as wanting more time with their children or pulling them out of a social situation, it differs from homeschooling in two very important ways.
First, the curriculum is determined by the state, not the parent. This essentially turns the education of the child over to the state. The student must learn whatever the state curriculum contains. This puts Christian parents in the unenviable position of teaching evolution from the time the state introduces it. Also, the parents are locked into the curriculum for their child and may not remove any part, even if the curriculum is unsuitable to the child's learning style. If the child falls off pace, they must catch up with the rest of the class instead of adjusting the school year or the pacing. In reality, the only benefit a virtual academy shares with homeschooling is the obvious fact that the child is physically home, not in a school and therefore learning is done with family involvement without the same threats to your child's safety.
Second, the public or charter school is receiving state funding for the child. This is crucial to understand what's happening. Virtual academies receive most or all of the funding that a public school would receive per student, while the student sees only a fraction of that money in the form of a computer and a curriculum and other such items. The money that most schools use to pay for classrooms, light, heat, air conditioning, plumbing, lunches, and the various other parts of the physical plant costs are offset by...you guessed it...mom and dad. Where do the other thousands of dollars per student go? Regardless, public funds are being used and parents do not direct the funds or the learning.
Q: Isn't homeschooling for children with special needs?
A: Although children with learning disabilities, physical challenges, or other issues that would put them in the special needs category do very well in a homeschool setting, they do not comprise the majority of homeschool students. Most students without such challenges also thrive in the homeschool setting.
Q: I've thought about homeschooling my child. What would it take to get started?
A: It doesn't take much to get started. Homeschooling is something that you grow into and develop for years and years to come.
First of all, search for a homeschool support group. Ideally, one already exists in your church or in a large congregation nearby. Few if any require you to attend that congregation's services. Local secular groups also exist, usually based out of the library, but if you're Christian or Jewish, check with your church or synagogue first. Go to a couple of meetings and meet the people. The leaders are usually the first, best source of information and can usually help you sort out your concerns and questions much better than other sources.
Second, seek out good books and magazines on homeschooling. One book I would recommend is So You're Thinking About Homeschooling by Lisa Whelchel
. It's a good introduction and dispells some of the myths about homeschooling that are so popular and so untrue. Ask your support group leaders for recommendations as well.
Third, count the cost. Write down the reasons you want to homeschool and weigh them against what the group leaders and members have told you about the investment in homeschooling your child, such as time and style/curricula (Five in a Row, Saxon, Alpha Omega, unschooling, etc.) options. Consider these against private and public/charter school options. Better to consider these things up front than to get halfway in and then bail out. Additionally, some problems you are looking to resolve, such as behavioral problems or self-esteem issues may or may not vanish overnight.
Fourth and last, you need to pray. This does not help as much if you're an agnostic, but pray anyway. If God has it in mind that you homeschool your child, he will keep the inclination to homeschool on your mind and heart. How you educate your children is critically important to God. Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Proverbs 22:6, Ephesians 6:4, Titus 2:1-8
Q: So what is homeschooling anyway?
A: Put simply, homeschooling is choosing not to place your child in public, private, or charter school, and instead choosing to educate your child out of a home-based model. This does not mean the child must remain inside the home to pursue their education. Most homeschooling families have field trips and activities, including team sports, physical education such as dance classes or gymnastics, and science groups or other clubs based on interests. In all cases, however, the parents remain in control of the curricula used and the child does a significant portion of their work based out of the home.
Q: We have our child in a virtual academy. Isn't that Homeschooling?
A: Unfortunately, no, it's not. That is what is called "public school at home." Although many parents choose this option for very valid and good reasons, such as wanting more time with their children or pulling them out of a social situation, it differs from homeschooling in two very important ways.
First, the curriculum is determined by the state, not the parent. This essentially turns the education of the child over to the state. The student must learn whatever the state curriculum contains. This puts Christian parents in the unenviable position of teaching evolution from the time the state introduces it. Also, the parents are locked into the curriculum for their child and may not remove any part, even if the curriculum is unsuitable to the child's learning style. If the child falls off pace, they must catch up with the rest of the class instead of adjusting the school year or the pacing. In reality, the only benefit a virtual academy shares with homeschooling is the obvious fact that the child is physically home, not in a school and therefore learning is done with family involvement without the same threats to your child's safety.
Second, the public or charter school is receiving state funding for the child. This is crucial to understand what's happening. Virtual academies receive most or all of the funding that a public school would receive per student, while the student sees only a fraction of that money in the form of a computer and a curriculum and other such items. The money that most schools use to pay for classrooms, light, heat, air conditioning, plumbing, lunches, and the various other parts of the physical plant costs are offset by...you guessed it...mom and dad. Where do the other thousands of dollars per student go? Regardless, public funds are being used and parents do not direct the funds or the learning.
Q: Isn't homeschooling for children with special needs?
A: Although children with learning disabilities, physical challenges, or other issues that would put them in the special needs category do very well in a homeschool setting, they do not comprise the majority of homeschool students. Most students without such challenges also thrive in the homeschool setting.
Q: I've thought about homeschooling my child. What would it take to get started?
A: It doesn't take much to get started. Homeschooling is something that you grow into and develop for years and years to come.
First of all, search for a homeschool support group. Ideally, one already exists in your church or in a large congregation nearby. Few if any require you to attend that congregation's services. Local secular groups also exist, usually based out of the library, but if you're Christian or Jewish, check with your church or synagogue first. Go to a couple of meetings and meet the people. The leaders are usually the first, best source of information and can usually help you sort out your concerns and questions much better than other sources.
Second, seek out good books and magazines on homeschooling. One book I would recommend is So You're Thinking About Homeschooling by Lisa Whelchel
. It's a good introduction and dispells some of the myths about homeschooling that are so popular and so untrue. Ask your support group leaders for recommendations as well. Third, count the cost. Write down the reasons you want to homeschool and weigh them against what the group leaders and members have told you about the investment in homeschooling your child, such as time and style/curricula (Five in a Row, Saxon, Alpha Omega, unschooling, etc.) options. Consider these against private and public/charter school options. Better to consider these things up front than to get halfway in and then bail out. Additionally, some problems you are looking to resolve, such as behavioral problems or self-esteem issues may or may not vanish overnight.
Fourth and last, you need to pray. This does not help as much if you're an agnostic, but pray anyway. If God has it in mind that you homeschool your child, he will keep the inclination to homeschool on your mind and heart. How you educate your children is critically important to God. Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Proverbs 22:6, Ephesians 6:4, Titus 2:1-8
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