How to Find Out About Homeschooling

Homeschooling is a rapidly growing movement in which parents assume the responsibility of educating their children privately, at home. Typically, home education includes religious training (although this is up to you) and a striving for educational excellence in a secure, loving environment.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Homeschool Publications
• Internet Access
• Library Cards
• Computers

1. Use your personal contacts. Homeschoolers are often the best resources for information about homeschooling.

2. Read books about homeschooling methods and philosophies. Libraries and homeschool publications are helpful resources.

3. Request information about homeschooling from your local and state organizations, homeschooling publications and curriculum catalogs.

4. Attend informational meetings, seminars, curriculum fairs and conventions in your area.

5. Explore the Web. Many national and state organizations have Web sites that can be valuable information resources.

6. Familiarize yourself with the legal issues of homeschooling in your state, province or territory. The National Home Education Network (nhen.org) can provide information about homeschooling in the United States. For legal information in other countries, see "A to Z Home's Cool" at hometown.aol.com/anaise/homeschool.

Tips & Warnings

• Educate yourself about homeschooling before you begin.
• Use local resources first.
• If you are going to homeschool, get connected to a local group for support.
• Each state has its own laws in regard to setting up your homeschool; find out what your state's requirements are.
• There are vast differences in the quality of homeschooling resources, particularly on the Web. Be picky about whose information you use.

[onemomsmission]

on 1/17/2009 I have 4 teenage children and my 16 year old is in her 2nd year of homeschooling. She is hooked up through Florida Virtual School. She does all her classes online and Florida teachers grade her work and we have to do monthly contact calls along with oral assessments and we have found that she gets more attention from the virtual teachers than sitting right in the classroom with the physical teaching teaching. She's making straight A's and it is 100% free for Florida Residents.

[KidsRCool]

on 9/17/2008 Yet again, eHow's Education Editor has the facts wrong. Homeschoolers are an incredibly diverse group and the statement that Homeschooling "typically involves religious training" really displays an incredible lack of understanding of the Homeschooling movement. Nothing is 'typical', and lumping all of us under a 'religious' umbrella is misleading and, frankly, offensive.

[arwen1964]

on 7/10/2008 I am very glad to see you citing Ann Zeise's web page for information on homeschooling laws. Hers is one of the best resources to start your homeschooling journey.

[scoutlifer]

on 11/13/2007 You sure can Homeschool for free! I get free worksheets from the internet. www.enchantedlearning is a pretty good site but they do charge something like $20 a year- you can still get the worksheets but it might have an adversitement on the top. Google - free stuff for teachers! I have gotten free vhs, dvd, workbooks, textbooks, and more! google government websites and they'll send you free stuff! ie: USDA and NASA just to name a few. National institute of health and texas instruments have all sent freebies- really good freebies!

[Maris]

on 9/10/2007 Be careful. You CAN homeschool for free. Use your resources: the library, internet, co-ops, support groups, and trade materials by grade with friends.

For legal information, check out the Home School Legal Defence Association (HSLDA) at www.hslda.org and find your state.