Home Schooling Checklist

Using a checklist can help you set up a home school.

For those considering home schooling, a checklist can provide a basic guide to help determine if this method of education is suitable for them and their children. For those who already use home schooling, a checklist can help with organization, deciding whether to continue or add co-op classes, determining how to make adjustments and evaluating learning progress.

Deciding to Start

Families considering home schooling can use a checklist to evaluate whether this education method is right for them. Items on the checklist might include the reason or reasons for home schooling, whether it suits the personalities of the family members who would be involved and the learning style of the child. In addition, the checklist could consider whether this type of education would work with the family's lifestyle and what the costs might be.

Legal Issues

Use a checklist to determine how to meet state regulations for home schooling. This could include any required meetings with county officials concerning the set-up of your home school or using an approved curriculum. Other things to consider include state laws, county laws and ongoing legal issues. Keep current with proposed legislation that could change the status of home schooling.

Curriculum

Types of home schooling curriculum abound. When choosing one, consider what best fits your child's learning style and your teaching style, as well as the quality of the materials. Annual conferences showcase various kinds of curriculum. Styles of curriculum don't have to be completely preapproved and can be influenced by things such as parents using libraries as resources. Home school groups might invite experts to talk about their knowledge areas, and this can be considered part of the curriculum.

Groups

One consideration is whether to belong to a home school group, whether local, state or national. These groups can range from those who favor "un-schooling," which is very unstructured, to those that offer classes taught by experts, parents in the group or both. Find one that suits your and your child's personalities. And remember, joining a group isn't essential to having a successful home schooling venture.

References

• Family Education: Pre-Homeschooling Checklist
• Christian Home Educators Confederation of Kansas: How About A Checklist For Getting Started?
• "Homeschooling for the Rest of Us"; Sonya Haskins; 2010
• "The Homeschooling Handbook: From Preschool to High School, a Parent's Guide"; Mary Griffith; 1999

Resources

• "Home Schooling: Status and Bibliography"; Frederick M. Lawrence; 2007
• "Home Schooling: Stories"; Carol Windley; 2010
• "The How and Why of Home Schooling"; Ray E. Ballmann; 1995