Homeschooling Across the States

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We are now in our third state since we began homeschooling. Each one has had differences.

Ohio required a course of study be submitted each fall. Each child had to be evaluated in an agreed upon manner. Typically, this meant either having them take a standardized test that was properly proctored OR having a certified teacher do a portfolio review for each child. The evaluation documentation was then submitted with the next year’s course of study. Pretty easy, especially if you know a certified teacher willing to do the portfolio review for your family. Some homeschool moms I met who had certification used it as an opportunity for some income, charging to evaluate portfolios.  Considering the time they might be using, I can’t blame them for capitalizing on the chance to make some pocket money.

Maryland had a two pronged option..submit paperwork through your local school district or align with an umbrella school. We opted for the local school district option for two reasons. (1) It cost nothing out of pocket. and (2) Going through the school district meant I could have the boys tested with the other kids in the local public school. I did the testing option with P during 5th grade, just to make sure that he wasn’t slipping behind the public school kids. Several friends back there use the umbrella option, which I was seriously considering if we were still there when P entered high school. Why? A few of those umbrella schools are off of regular schools and gave the option for a paper diploma. Both options for homeschooling required some kind of portfolio review. Our local school district had you drop off work samples twice a year. Some of the umbrella schools only did an end of the year review.

Alaska has the laws written in such a way that you can either say "I’m homeschooling the kids, now leave me the heck alone." OR you can align/register with a charter/correspondence school.

These schools are offshoots of regular school districts and they have really marketed themselves as an option for homeschool families. For some, choosing to register with a charter school is all about the money. Each child gets a designated allotment that you can use for secular materials on your learning plan as well as instructor led courses. You also have to have 4 courses be taught predominantly with secular materials (2 from core subjects and 2 from others.) That’s not as hard as it might seem if you already use secular math. Toss in PE plus either art or music and you’re almost there.

For our family, the money is nice to have (as I can now use some curriculum items I would struggle to afford on my own, e.g. Analytical Grammar, Teaching Textbooks, and the super massive science package from Supercharged Science.)  The boys have also done some instructor led activities (karate and paintball) that I never would have found the money to let them do.  Keep in mind that anything purchased with these funds is owned BY the charter school.  Consumable products don’t have to go back, but you are supposed to turn in non-consumable items when you are finished with them.  (So, for Analytical Grammar the student materials do not go back, but the teacher ones do when I’m done.)  I’ll add that there are still some religious materials we purchase to use in our schooling…all out of our own pocket.

But, what I like and needed was accountability to someone else.   I have to submit individual learning plans for each child (which can be amended during part of the year to reflect changes.)  I have monthly contact with our contact teacher.  It could be a simple as chatting with them at an event, a phone call, or an email.  Our contact teacher is also homeschooling his children, so he can relate to the struggle of being parent AND teacher.  (Although, in all fairness, his wife probably does most of the teaching.) Also, we turn in quarterly work samples and twice a year submit a progress report (with grades.)

Enrolled students take the state tests from grade 3 on up.  In 5th and 7th grade, they also take the Terra Nova tests.  While some homeschoolers abhor the thought of standardized tests, I want the boys to be comfortable with it and I want the feedback.  After all, they’ll need to sit for standardized tests to gain college entrance or even in other walks of life.  And, while I might know how I think they are doing, being able to compare their progress with students helps alleviate concerns.  (For the record…I see plenty of room for improvement even if the tests come back saying they do better than the average student.)

So far, I have nothing but positive experiences with our particular charter school (IDEA.)  I’m even on the Parent Advisory Council this year. However, I have friends who use other ones for a variety of reasons.  If the boys were really into sports and wanted to participate in them during middle school and high school, I would probably be considering one through our local school district.  As with all aspects of our homeschooling, our alignment with IDEA will be evaluated during the spring.  After all, we want to do what is best for our family at a given point in time. 

There you have it…a little about homeschooling in the states where we’ve lived.  After Tuesday morning, you can find the list of other participating posts on the TOS Homeschool Blog.