I’ve had a few parents message me for information on different aspects of home education, so, I thought I’d just put some homeschooling basics out there for those interested. The world is kinda crazy right now and many parents are opting, or at least desire, to homeschool their children. But, many of you don’t know where to start.
Let’s first tackle the number one question regarding homeschooling: What about socialization? In the homeschool community, we get quite the chuckle over this. Our kids are not cooped up inside away from other humans all day. Quite the opposite. They go with us in the real world doing real world activities. You do not have to stay at home during school hours. My daughter goes everywhere with me. She knows many people in the community and they know her. Folks like our local postmistress, the bank teller, the librarian, the owners of the stores where I sell my products. We go to the park and attend homeschool events and go places as a family for fun days out. No, she doesn’t spend 5 days a week, 9 months a year with 20 other children her exact age in a block building. But, where else in life, except school, do we do this? She spends time with people of all ages and all backgrounds, conversing and learning with each one.
I highly recommend joining homeschool support groups on Facebook to learn more about homeschooling and get acquainted with other homeschool families. They’ve been a big help to me and I don’t know what I’d do without them. Feel free to PM me with any other questions or concerns and I’ll do my best to help.
Now, on to the nitty gritty…
Who can homeschool? Just about anyone can homeschool with the exception of certain people (i.e. if you’ve been convicted of certain crimes in the last 5 years; if you do not have a high school diploma or equivalent/ GED). That said, anyone can homeschool. I know single working moms, parents of children with diagnosises (adhd, autism, etc…), those without college degrees, etc… that homeschool successfully. Studies show that it is not a parent’s education level that determines success, but their level of dedication and commitment. Listen, you taught your child to talk, to learn an entire language, surely you can guide them in how to learn other things. You can do this!!
Withdrawal from School and Entering Homeschool- The compulsory age of schooling in Pennsylvania is 6-18 years old. If your child has already attended public school, you must give your school district a withdrawal letter. If your child has not yet started school (5 years and under) and has not attended school, you do not need to give a withdrawal letter. You must give your school district (sent in care of the Superintendent) a notarized affidavit attesting to your intent to homeschool. If your child has not yet attended school, you do not need to do this until they are 6 years old (the compulsory age for school). You must send an affidavit every year by June 30 prior to each school year (except for your first year of homeschooling your 6 year old. The affidavit is not due until the start of school).
What is needed on the affidavit? What subjects do I need to teach? First of all, the affidavit is not letter requesting permission from your school district to homeschool. You have the legal right to do so and do not need their permission. The Affidavit is merely a letter of intent letting them know that you are homeschooling. At the bottom of this letter is a legal copy of an affidavit. You can copy it and fill it in just as it is. Do not leave anything blank and do not fill in more than what is required. Do not comply with overreach. You are known as the “Supervisor” of the homeschool program. Also listed are the subjects that need to be taught. You do not need to teach every subject every year. You do need to do fire safety every year. Also- you do not need to teach subjects in blocks (i.e. teaching reading separate from math). Subjects do not need to be separated. If you plant seeds in a garden and have your child read the directions and dig the holes, you’ve just done science, math, and phys ed.
What is overreach? Overreach is when your school district contacts you in any way other than certified mail asking for information that is not needed by law. As homeschoolers, we must follow homeschool law. But, at the same time, school districts must also follow the law. If they need to contact you for any reason, it must be done by the superintendent via certified mail. Calling you to ask you what grade your child is in, or any other information not listed on the affidavit, is overreach and you should not answer. “But, why not? What harm is there in answering?” Homeschooling has come a long way legally. Parents have fought hard to keep the government’s involvement at minimum. The more we comply with their overreach, the more they will tread on us. It’s checks and balances.
Expanding on #5 on the affidavit: “5. The affidavit is evidence that the appropriate medical services have been provided and are on file or a religious or medical or ethical exemption has been claimed.” This is a touchy subject. Currently in the state of Pennsylvania, exemptions to opt out of medical services (except for something that is life-threatening) and vaccines include: medical, philosophical, and religious. Be careful claiming one of these just because you don’t feel like it. You cannot claim to be against well visits based on some philosophical reason just because you only sometimes feel like taking your child to well visits. Note, well visits are not required by law. If you object, make sure it’s substantiated- example: your religion is against consuming pork, therefore you do not get vaccines containing pig. You do not have to state any of this on the affidavit. Simply attesting to it as it is stated is ample. Just be careful where you stand on this, wishy-washy stances do not hold up well if they’re ever questioned. Also, you must do eye exams, hearing screenings, and weight checks. You can do these at home, at your child’s pediatrician, or contact your school and the school nurse will do them for you. You do not need to send the results to the school. Nor do you need to send vaccine or other health records to the school. If they ask for them, that is overreach.
Evaluations- You must complete 180 days of school, or 900 hours with your child. You should keep a sample of your child’s work in a portfolio showing progress in each of the subjects for that year. Evaluations need to be done by a certified evaluator and must be done by June 30 (at the end of each school year). Evaluations cost around $20-30.
Homeschooling methods- First, let us not confuse homeschooling with public school at home (charter, virtual, etc.) They are not the same and should not be treated as such, especially from a legal standpoint. In a home-based education program, you the parent, choose how and what the child learns, who teaches them, and when/ what schedule to keep (within the guidelines of the law). In public school at home, you are still bound by their curriculum and most likely a time schedule. There are also many styles of homeschool in which to follow: Montessori, Charlotte Mason, eclectic, classic, traditional, unschooling/ child-led etc… These are all unique in their own way and I recommend researching them to see what fits your family. On a side note, if you follow bible-based religion, you may want to stay away from Waldorf. Waldorf has pagan, Wiccan, and witchcraft roots.
Curriculum- Curriculum is not a necessity or required by law for homeschooling. It can be pricy and finding just the right one can be exhausting. I use a very hands on approach, rather than following the public school model (sitting at a desk all day). We use media platforms like YouTube and Pinterest, Google search free printables for things like math, the library and thrift stores for living books, and we take a lot of outings for learning. For example, we went to the Johnstown Flood museum last week. Yesterday, we went to a park social with other homeschoolers and learned to tie-dye. Living books are books that tell stories, whether true or real life fiction. They’re much better than school books, which are just information without impact. If you take a non-curriculum approach, I recommend “de-schooling” first. It’s a process of getting out of public school mentality and finding your own homeschooling style that best fits your family. If you do want to follow a curriculum, there are many in which to choose, including some free, like Ambleside Online.
How much does homeschooling cost? That’s kinda like asking how much does parenting cost because home-based education is merely an extension of parenting. So, it depends on many things. Curriculum is anywhere from free to upwards of $400 or more. Going to museums and education centers costs a few bucks, but hiking in the woods is free. Taking a painting class may cost, but using mud on cardboard to make art is free. If you use your imagination, home-based education does not have to cost that much.
Do I have to homeschool during normal school hours? No. You can homeschool on a Sunday afternoon if you like. You can do some reading lessons in the evening before bed if that works for you. Homeschooling is a way of life, like I said, an extension of parenting, so you make it fit your schedule and your lifestyle.
Does my child have to take tests? Yes and no. Your child must take the standardized tests in 3rd, 5th, and 8th grade. Your child does not have to take any other tests. Spelling tests, math quizzes, reading exams- these are all unnecessary. If you consider the reason teachers give tests- to evaluate what each student knows- then you can understand why you do not need to give your child tests. You are working one on one with your child. You already know what they know and what they need to work on for further understanding. If your child is struggling, you can do one of two things. 1. Push harder in that subject. Or 2 (which is preferable). Set it aside for a time and come back to it when your child is ready. This is much easier. It can take 6 months to master a subject for a child not yet ready to master it by pushing them harder. Or it can take 2 weeks to master a subject for the child that is ready for it. Homeschooling does not need to be filled with tears.
Do we have to state a grade? People often ask my daughter, “What grade are you in?” To which she replies, “We don’t do grades.” This is a public school concept utilized to keep track of children. You can do grades if you wish, but it is not necessary.
Is homeschooling hard? Well, is parenting hard? Absolutely! Your child’s world is in your hands and that’s challenging. But, it is worth it! Homeschooling is a wonderful experience to bond with your child in a way you can’t imagine!
Homeschooling only looks scary at first. Once you’ve sent in that first affidavit and completed that first evaluation, it’s easy peasy.
Attached Below is the Affidavit and Objectives
Affidavit of Supervisor of Home Education Program
Pursuant to § 13-1327.1 (b)(1) of Act 169 of the Pennsylvania School Code
To the Superintendent of the __________________ School District:
This notarized affidavit sets forth:
1. That ______________________ is the supervisor of the home education program and shall be responsible for the provision of instruction. I have earned a high school diploma or its equivalent;
2. That the following child shall participate in the home education program:
_________________________________________________ age_______
3. The address and telephone number of the home education program is:
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
4. That such subjects as required by § 13-1327.1 are offered in the English language and the required outline of proposed educational objectives by subject area is attached;
5. The affidavit is evidence that the appropriate medical services have been provided and are on file or a religious or medical or ethical exemption has been claimed.
6. The home education program shall comply with the provisions of §1327.1 of the Pennsylvania School Code and this notarized affidavit shall be satisfactory evidence thereof.
Certification by Supervisor of Home Education Program:
As supervisor of the home education program, I certify that the supervisor, all adults living in the home, and persons having legal custody of the child or children in the home education program have not been convicted of the criminal offenses enumerated in subsection (e) of section 111 of the school code within five years immediately preceding the date of this affidavit.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania )
) SS
County of ___________________)
________________________________ _______________________
Signature of Supervisor Date
Sworn and subscribed before me this _________ day of __________________________, 20______.
_________________________________
Signature of Notary Notarization:
Attachments: Outline of proposed educational objectives by subject area.
Educational Objectives (Elementary)
Student______________________________Academic Year_________________
English
• Continue to improve/review spelling, vocabulary, grammar and writing skills.
• Read various genres of literature and various forms of writing.
Arithmetic
• Continue to review material previously learned, continue to improve computation skills and master new concepts as introduced
Science
• Continue to explore new concepts and topics, including methods, terms and discoveries
• Continue to read a variety of books on scientific topics and scientists
Social Studies
• Continue study of early American and Pa history as well as different time periods of World
History, current events and civics, other cultures, including customs and history and geography
Phys Ed/ Health/ Safety
• Incorporate exercise into regular activity, study nutrition, fire safety, health and wellness
Art/Music
• Continued exposure to various types of music, composers, artists and various media.
Educational Objectives (Secondary)
Student_________________________ Academic Year_________________
English
• Study and use of language to communicate.
• Read various genres of literature.
• Exposure to speech and composition.
Arithmetic
• Continue to review general mathematics.
• Continue to improve computation skills and master new concepts as introduced, including algebra.
• Continue to emphasize application of mathematical concepts in real life.
Science
• Continue to explore new concepts and topics, including methods, terms and discoveries.
• Continue to read a variety of books on scientific topics and scientists.
• Continue to encourage learning about nature.
• Emphasize sustainability and conservation.
Social Studies
• Continue study of early American and Pa history as well as different time periods of world history.
• Continued exposure to current events and civics.
• Continued study of other cultures, including customs and history.
• Continue study of geography.
Phys Ed/ Health/ Safety
• Incorporate exercise into regular activity.
• Continue to emphasize the importance of nutrition, fire safety, health and wellness.
Art/Music
• Continued exposure to various types of music, composers, artists and various media.