Research requirements for homeschooling
The first step to homeschooling is understanding the applicable laws and regulations of your state. Every state has different requirements related to what subjects must be taught and how parents must track progress or how students must demonstrate academic achievement.
As a homeschooling parent, you must research your state’s laws to ensure you follow them and stay within any applicable regulations. You can easily access these through the Home School Legal Defense Association.
If you fail to follow your state’s laws, there could be consequences. Depending on the severity of the violation, you may face fines, suspension of rights to homeschool or even criminal charges.
Balancing the legalities of this role are the responsibilities. It’s crucial to understand that when you homeschool your child, you are taking on the role of teacher. As a homeschool teacher, you will have certain duties aside from instructing the curriculum. These may include:
- Choosing curriculum and subjects to be taught
- Evaluating student progress
- Planning educational activities and a general schedule
- Assisting with research projects
- Providing support and guidance as needed
Before homeschooling, you might read up on other people’s experiences, since it can be new territory to assume such roles as disciplinarian, counselor and coach. Those roles, however, are not optional as a homeschool teacher, and it’s important to have a plan for how to enact them effectively.