The process of homeschooling can be overwhelming even for those who are experienced homeschoolers. When you’re just beginning, you must quickly become familiar with laws, record-keeping and curriculums--and you must adapt to the tremendous lifestyle change of adding “full-time teacher” to your responsibilities. As you start a homeschool, rely on the many resources available online and the great support from local homeschool organizations.
Step 1
Evaluate yourself. Be brutally honest and make sure that you are fully prepared to devote time, energy and space in your home to homeschooling. While you won’t necessarily be confined to homeschooling eight hours every day, the decision will significantly impact your life.
Step 2
Research state laws. Homeschooling is legal in every state, but the regulations are different. Some states have very few requirements, while other states are highly regulated. The simplest requirements might include notifying the public school district of your intent to homeschool and keeping a portfolio of work. Stricter requirements specify a parent's qualifications to teach and may include tougher record-keeping, standardized testing and reporting standards. The Homeschool Legal Defense Association provides information about the laws in each state.
Step 3
Join a local homeschool organization. An incredible source of information and support, your local homeschool organization will help you find resources and offer advice about everything from how to keep proper records to textbooks they like. These groups often organize social and sports events for the students and have get-togethers for families. Most areas also have homeschool organizations for parents of special needs children. Don’t wait until you’re officially homeschooling--connect with the local organizations ahead of making the commitment and they’ll be glad to answer your questions.
Step 4
Notify the local school district. Based upon your state’s legal requirements, give the local school district the required notification of your intent to homeschool before taking your child out of school. The information you’ll need to provide varies from one state to the next.
Step 5
Develop a system. Set goals for the school year and create a schedule to define what your homeschooling day will look like, what subjects will be studied and progress to be made. Set aside an area in your home for schooling. Right at the start, create a system for keeping required records, such as attendance, lists of books read, tests and grades--whatever your state requires plus what you’ll need to stay organized.
Step 6
Choose a curriculum. Each state mandates subject areas for every grade level, but beyond that you must decide how you will teach. You may create your own curriculum and choose your own textbooks, or purchase one of the packaged programs that are available online. Explore different options to match your child's style of learning.
Tips and Warnings
- If you're ready to homeschool but would like more support and structure, consider cyberschooling. Cyberschools are part of the public education system, but they provide computers and a curriculum so that your child can learn at home. They also assign a teacher to your child, which gives you a great resource if you encounter any curriculum or learning problems.
- Be sure you meet any deadlines for paperwork or other requirements as specified in your state's homeschool regulations.
Things You'll Need
- Textbooks for each subject
- School supplies: paper, pencils
- Computer and printer
- Dry erase board or blackboard
