Will Core Curriculum Standards Affect Homeschooling?

You may have already heard about something called the Common Core State Standards Initiative. It is often referred to as Core Curriculum Standards. There is a lot of information about it online. The shortest explanation is that the Common Core State Standards Initiative is a set of curriculum that is intended to establish a single set of clear educational standards for students in kindergarten through 12th grade in English and Mathematics. There has been a lot of controversy about the Common Core State Standards Initiative. Those who support it feel that it will provide a equal set of standards that … Continue reading →

Homeschool Letter of Intent

It is time again to send out letters of intent to homeschool to the superintendent in your local school districts. Not every state requires a letter of intent so you must check your state laws if this coming fall will be your first year homeschooling. The letter of intent seems daunting to many first time homeschoolers. Questions range from what should be included to how to format the letter. The letter of intent is the first step to filing legal paperwork regarding your homeschooling choice. What is a letter of intent? Simply, the letter of intent is exactly how it … Continue reading →

Homeschooling in Wyoming Part 2

This is not legal advice. As someone who lives in a state that is highly regulated, I cannot emphasize enough the need for you to advocate for yourself and make a point to know your state laws. While the school district will most likely provide you with a printed copy of the laws and regulations for home schooling, a local home schooling group can be a valuable asset when it comes to navigating your way through the system. Wyoming is one of the easiest states to homeschool in. Very little paper work is required. For more information on their laws … Continue reading →

Homeschooling in Wisconsin

This is not legal advice. As someone who lives in a state that is highly regulated, I cannot emphasize enough the need for you to advocate for yourself and make a point to know your state laws. While the school district will most likely provide you with a printed copy of the laws and regulations for home schooling, a local home schooling group can be a valuable asset when it comes to navigating your way through the system. Wisconsin is a very easy state to homeschool in providing lax laws and flexibility to its homeschoolers. (Yes, I’m jealous!) Compulsory Attendance: … Continue reading →

Homeschooling in West Virginia: Assessment Options

This is not legal advice. As someone who lives in a state that is highly regulated, I cannot emphasize enough the need for you to advocate for yourself and make a point to know your state laws. While the school district will most likely provide you with a printed copy of the laws and regulations for home schooling, a local home schooling group can be a valuable asset when it comes to navigating your way through the system. Generally, I try to write about one state in one blog. However, West Virginia has a lengthy list of assessment requirements and … Continue reading →

Homeschooling in West Virginia: “Notice Option” and Other Legalities

This is not legal advice. As someone who lives in a state that is highly regulated, I cannot emphasize enough the need for you to advocate for yourself and make a point to know your state laws. While the school district will most likely provide you with a printed copy of the laws and regulations for home schooling, a local home schooling group can be a valuable asset when it comes to navigating your way through the system. I mentioned in my first blog on West Virginia that there are two options, the “approval” option, where a parent seeks approval … Continue reading →

Homeschooling in West Virginia: The “Approval” Option

This is not legal advice. As someone who lives in a state that is highly regulated, I cannot emphasize enough the need for you to advocate for yourself and make a point to know your state laws. While the school district will most likely provide you with a printed copy of the laws and regulations for home schooling, a local home schooling group can be a valuable asset when it comes to navigating your way through the system. On first glance, West Virginia law reads something like this: In order to homeschool your child you need to ask for the … Continue reading →

Homeschooling in Washington State: Option 2 and Standardized Testing

This is not legal advice. As someone who lives in a state that is highly regulated, I cannot emphasize enough the need for you to advocate for yourself and make a point to know your state laws. While the school district will most likely provide you with a printed copy of the laws and regulations for home schooling, a local home schooling group can be a valuable asset when it comes to navigating your way through the system. In Washington State, there are two options under which a parent is legally allowed to homeschool a child. For information on homeschooling … Continue reading →

Homeschooling in Washington State: Option 1

This is not legal advice. As someone who lives in a state that is highly regulated, I cannot emphasize enough the need for you to advocate for yourself and make a point to know your state laws. While the school district will most likely provide you with a printed copy of the laws and regulations for home schooling, a local home schooling group can be a valuable asset when it comes to navigating your way through the system. Compulsory Attendance: You are under compulsory attendance law from when your child turns 8 years old to when he turns 18. Required … Continue reading →

Moving and Homeschooling: How to Follow the Law

As you may have guessed by my post yesterday, that wasn’t the last time that you will be hearing about our adventures in moving to a different state! I mentioned yesterday that we will be moving from a state that is highly regulated, to one that is not regulated at all. While following the law is a little easier for us because we are moving in the summer, what should you do if you’re moving mid-year? Legally Speaking. . . Legally speaking (with regards to education that is) you are always bound by the law of the state in which … Continue reading →