I'm Curious...

[shortcake]

What are the homeschool requirements where you live? I'm so glad we live in GA and the requirements are fairly minimal.

1) We must turn in Declaration of Intent to Homeschool form when the child is 6 at the beginning of that school year. (This Sept she was 6 -- turned 7 in Oct -- so it's the first year I've had to report on her.)

2) We must complete a monthly attendance form and send it to the school district office for our county. (This is such a joke to me b/c we learn all the time and don't separate "learning time" and "non-learning (?)" time.) I print the school calendar and 9 blank attendance forms at the beginning of the year. I complete the forms reporting that Quinlan was in attendance every day school was in session and then put them in envelopes and stamp and address them. I mail them on the 1st of the month for the previous month's attendance.

3) We must have child tested every 3 ys starting in 3rd grade. Since she isn't in a grade level, I believe we get to determine when she is in third (and then must do every 3 ys after that). Parents are able to choose the test their child will take and are able to administer it if they have a HS diploma and complete some form or something probably. (I'm not there yet.) These test scores are not reported to anyone else (from the state, school district, etc.)

4) We must keep an annual "progress report". Can be portfolio, something written in a notebook or report or whatever. This does not have to be reported to anyone either.

I keep lots of "stuff" the kids do even though we unschool, because I want them to have some cool stuff to look back at as they are older. Pictures they drew, letters they wrote, photos of cool things they built, little written notes about projects they did, etc. So these are perfect for any annual prog. rep. I'd need to keep. The attendance reporting is just silly. The testing I really don't like because I see no need for standardized testing for a homeschooled student... BUT I am glad that parents can give it in their own homes and that the scores are not reported. So really, who cares.

My MIL and FIL have expressed some concern in the past b/c we are unschoolers. It's funny to me too b/c they know the children and can see how social and smart and funny and well-rounded they are. Their pastor at church homeschools and his wife has a room made up like a classroom dedicated to homeschooling lessons and curriculum and a schedule, etc. She said it was "required by law" to homeschool. I don't know if that's true or not (she lives in NC) but I can tell you I'm glad I don't have to deal w/ that. Of course, there are also ways to get around that if that were the case.

[SusanH]

My current state has almost no requirements. We have to file a form at the beginning of the school year. There are some guidelines for how many hours and subjects you're supposed to complete but you aren't actually required to provide evidence that you did so. I supposed if you were turned in to child services then you'd have to show you were doing something.

We used to live in Missouri which required a certain number of hours of different subjects and days of attendance. You were required to keep track of those things so they could be produced along with samples of work if you were ever asked, but that really only seemed to come up if someone reported you for neglect or in divorce situations where one parent wanted to homeschool and one did not.

There are no testing requirements in either state but we did start testing this year with my 10 year old. Our reasoning is that she wants to go to college someday and standardized tests will be a very important part of that process. We want her to occasionally sit for a test over the next few years so she can be comfortable and confident when it matters.

[miche]

1. File intent to homeschool annually.
2. Keep attendance records and immunization records on file (we don't turn them in.)
3. Test every 2 yrs starting in 3rd grade.

Our district invites homeschoolers to sit at their local school for the CSAPs, but we can also choose to test on our own and submit the scores. You also have the option of having an evaluation done by a qualified professional (currently licensed teacher, psychologist or other educational profressional.) The profession is supposed to assess "adequate annual progress" and submit the report to the state. If a child falls in the bottom 15% of his or her grade mandatory public school attendance is required. I'm not thrilled with that last part especially having a special needs child. Next year he has to test and I'm honestly not sure how he will do on parts of the test that require language. Is he going to understand how to answer the questions? The good part is I can test myself, receive the scores and unless he's in the bottom 15% I will just submit them and be done. If he's too low I can search for another test or decide to do an evaluation. I know if he's too low it will be due to his disorder and not his actual ability.

[alaskagirl]

NOT A THING!

Our state pretty much says that you as a parent are responsible for getting your child an education. Now go do it.

[shortcake]

Originally Posted by alaskagirl

NOT A THING!

Our state pretty much says that you as a parent are responsible for getting your child an education. Now go do it.

As it should be!!!!! Wish they were all that way!

[KQCCMama]

I live in Oregon.

1. File ONE letter of intent to homeschool when they are the age of 7 in Sept. So last year (fall 2008) I only had to register my DD1 who was beginning 3rd grade. My DS1 who was beginning 1st grade last year did not even need to be registered. He just "began" school according to them this fall in second grade!!

2. Do state testing in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10.

That's it folks!!

[Cait]

Originally Posted by shortcake

As it should be!!!!! Wish they were all that way!

Amen.

We're the same as Susan's. Pretty easy. I do keep track of attendance in case we're ever asked, which the state is legally entitled to do, but I keep my academic progress reports separate for my own knowledge and use.

[KD]

Originally Posted by alaskagirl

NOT A THING!

Our state pretty much says that you as a parent are responsible for getting your child an education. Now go do it.

Pretty much the same for us. They do tell you which core subjects you are supposed to teach- and the ages they are supposed be in school (6-16yrs)

[Mandowife]

I"m in GA, so the same as shortcake.