FAQs about homeschooling...
How do I get started homeschooling?
Research. This includes looking at the laws of your state, learning as much as you can about homeschooling, (including curriculum, learning and teaching styles). Here in Cochise County, Arizona, you must file an Affidavit of Intent to homeschool within 30 days of beginning home instruction. This form and other requirements for Cochise County can be found here: Cochise County Superintendent's Office Homeschooling Page.
Some parents have expressed that when they decided to return to public school/traditional school, they encountered requests for documentation that they were not prepared to present. (Testing scores, transcripts, etc). If you are aware that you are homeschooling temporarily and will be enrolling your child in a specific school, calling that school to verify what they will need BEFORE enrollment time, may save headaches and lost time for your family. Schools in Arizona are also likely to test homeschooled children who want to enroll to determine that the child is placed in the appropriate grade level.
Make sure that you are flexible about your expectations and goals. As a homeschooling parent, you may worry that you are not on "schedule" or are not "doing it right". Relax. Knowing that you have the discretion to make whatever decisions you want can be a huge help in keeping your stress level down.
Know your budget. Homeschooling can be completely free or very expensive. If you decide to use free materials from your local library or the internet, your costs are substantially lower than someone who uses a boxed curriculum. The advantages of a boxed curriculum or pre-designed coursework is that the work of gathering information is done already. Some parents buy some parts of a curriculum or certain programs that cater to specific subjects like math, and supplement with their own free materials for the other subjects.
Is homeschooling legal?
Each state has its own rules regarding homeschooling. Some states require testing, some states do not. Some states require approval of curriculum and others do not. Fort Huachuca is in the state of Arizona and homeschooling is legal in this state. There are steps homeschooling families must take to be in compliance with the laws of Arizona.
The State of Arizona requires that children between the ages of 6 and 16 be instructed in the following subjects: reading, grammar, mathematics, science, and social studies. The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) has the standards for each of the subject areas listed on their website at http://www.ade.az.gov/standards/contentstandards.asp.
For more information regarding this, please click on the "Arizona HS Information" tab.
What about virtual schools?
The state of Arizona does not consider virtual academies, or schools to be "homeschooling" in accordance with A.R.S. 15-802. However, these students are welcome to join our group. If you are a homeschooler registered within the state of Arizona, and decide to use a virtual school, you are will be required to notify the local superintendent of your intent to discontinue homeschooling. Virtual schools are typically not within the control of the parent. For this and some other reasons, the state of Arizona does not consider them homeschools or homeschools on government's dime as some have put it.
In the above statute, subsection F reads: Home school" means a school conducted primarily by the parent, guardian or other person who has custody of the child or instruction provided in the child's home.
Does my child have to take the state standardized test?
Not in Arizona. This varies from state to state, but currently in Arizona, homeschooled children are not required to submit to the AIMS test. However, if you choose to have your child take a standardized test for your own purposes, there are independent companies who will do this. The public schools will not pay for this.
Which curriculum should I use?
This is a highly personal decision. Each family has to choose the curriculum based on what works for their household. Usually, looking at the reasons you want to homeschool, can help point in the right direction. For example, if your child has a disability,then a curriculum that can cater to that may be best. If you want your child to have a more religious background that may mean looking into those kind of curriculums.
Some families use a curriculum that is completely from scratch while others may use one that is a mix and match of different learning tools. This site has a link to just a tidbit of the options available by going to the "Helpful Homeschooling Sites" tab.
What about socialization?
This seems to be the most common concern. The image of homeschooled kids who are unable to function in the "regular" world has many parents concerned that homeschooling will hurt their child in this way.
Homeschooled children are able in many states, to participate in extracurricular activities at their local schools. Others are active in scouting, religious groups, sports teams, etc. There is no reason that a child who is homeschooled cannot participate in the same activities, unless the parent decides not to involve them. Groups such as this one and other activities provide plenty of opportunity for homeschooled children to socialize, as much, if not more than a child who attends school outside the home.
A list of events can be found by clicking on the "Group Information and Events" tab or the "General Fort Huachuca Information" tab.
Research. This includes looking at the laws of your state, learning as much as you can about homeschooling, (including curriculum, learning and teaching styles). Here in Cochise County, Arizona, you must file an Affidavit of Intent to homeschool within 30 days of beginning home instruction. This form and other requirements for Cochise County can be found here: Cochise County Superintendent's Office Homeschooling Page.
Some parents have expressed that when they decided to return to public school/traditional school, they encountered requests for documentation that they were not prepared to present. (Testing scores, transcripts, etc). If you are aware that you are homeschooling temporarily and will be enrolling your child in a specific school, calling that school to verify what they will need BEFORE enrollment time, may save headaches and lost time for your family. Schools in Arizona are also likely to test homeschooled children who want to enroll to determine that the child is placed in the appropriate grade level.
Make sure that you are flexible about your expectations and goals. As a homeschooling parent, you may worry that you are not on "schedule" or are not "doing it right". Relax. Knowing that you have the discretion to make whatever decisions you want can be a huge help in keeping your stress level down.
Know your budget. Homeschooling can be completely free or very expensive. If you decide to use free materials from your local library or the internet, your costs are substantially lower than someone who uses a boxed curriculum. The advantages of a boxed curriculum or pre-designed coursework is that the work of gathering information is done already. Some parents buy some parts of a curriculum or certain programs that cater to specific subjects like math, and supplement with their own free materials for the other subjects.
Is homeschooling legal?
Each state has its own rules regarding homeschooling. Some states require testing, some states do not. Some states require approval of curriculum and others do not. Fort Huachuca is in the state of Arizona and homeschooling is legal in this state. There are steps homeschooling families must take to be in compliance with the laws of Arizona.
The State of Arizona requires that children between the ages of 6 and 16 be instructed in the following subjects: reading, grammar, mathematics, science, and social studies. The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) has the standards for each of the subject areas listed on their website at http://www.ade.az.gov/standards/contentstandards.asp.
For more information regarding this, please click on the "Arizona HS Information" tab.
What about virtual schools?
The state of Arizona does not consider virtual academies, or schools to be "homeschooling" in accordance with A.R.S. 15-802. However, these students are welcome to join our group. If you are a homeschooler registered within the state of Arizona, and decide to use a virtual school, you are will be required to notify the local superintendent of your intent to discontinue homeschooling. Virtual schools are typically not within the control of the parent. For this and some other reasons, the state of Arizona does not consider them homeschools or homeschools on government's dime as some have put it.
In the above statute, subsection F reads: Home school" means a school conducted primarily by the parent, guardian or other person who has custody of the child or instruction provided in the child's home.
Does my child have to take the state standardized test?
Not in Arizona. This varies from state to state, but currently in Arizona, homeschooled children are not required to submit to the AIMS test. However, if you choose to have your child take a standardized test for your own purposes, there are independent companies who will do this. The public schools will not pay for this.
Which curriculum should I use?
This is a highly personal decision. Each family has to choose the curriculum based on what works for their household. Usually, looking at the reasons you want to homeschool, can help point in the right direction. For example, if your child has a disability,then a curriculum that can cater to that may be best. If you want your child to have a more religious background that may mean looking into those kind of curriculums.
Some families use a curriculum that is completely from scratch while others may use one that is a mix and match of different learning tools. This site has a link to just a tidbit of the options available by going to the "Helpful Homeschooling Sites" tab.
What about socialization?
This seems to be the most common concern. The image of homeschooled kids who are unable to function in the "regular" world has many parents concerned that homeschooling will hurt their child in this way.
Homeschooled children are able in many states, to participate in extracurricular activities at their local schools. Others are active in scouting, religious groups, sports teams, etc. There is no reason that a child who is homeschooled cannot participate in the same activities, unless the parent decides not to involve them. Groups such as this one and other activities provide plenty of opportunity for homeschooled children to socialize, as much, if not more than a child who attends school outside the home.
A list of events can be found by clicking on the "Group Information and Events" tab or the "General Fort Huachuca Information" tab.