From: kjmiller@mitre.org (Kevin Miller)
Subject: Re: Homeschooling:  The Practical Aspects
Organization: MITRE
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1992 16:53:32 GMT

In article <19920825164607SEB1525@MVS.draper.com>, SEB1525@MVS.draper.com (Steve Bacher) writes:
> 
> 
> An interesting discussion (leave us not call it a "flamefest") has been
> going on in misc.kids about homeschooling.  Now, getting past the
> question of whether homeschooling is a Good Thing, I would like to
> get some Real, Practical Information about it, which is why I have
> posted to both misc.kids and misc.education, but with slightly
> different contents.
> 
> Once you've decided to go for homeschooling, how do you manage the
> legal and sociopolitical aspects of it?  Most municipal school systems
> and town halls are none too encouraging, not to say downright hostile,
> when it comes to teaching your kid(s) at home.

Most states have some kind of laws that apply to home schooling.  They 
range from very restrictive to almost no regulation.  For example, 
Massachusetts is on the restrictive side because it is an "approval" 
state, requiring the local school board to approve home schools.  However, 
in the great New England tradition for independence, the implementation 
is up to each school district and varies greatly.

The best way we have found is to join the Home School Legal Defense 
Association (HSLDA).  For a reasonable fee ($100 PA) they will answer 
your legal questions on home schooling and provide you with consul 
in the event of any home schooling legal problems.  We have not had 
any legal problems, but they have been very helpful in answering 
questions on the murky MA law.  We don't have any affiliation with 
HSDLA other than a satisfied member.

> 
> How can you make sure that your kid gets the education she needs
> by the time she enters high school?  Parents aren't professional
> educators, and they will need some kind of guidance or program to
> know they're not letting whole areas of study go by the boards.

Home schoolers have several choices for curriculums.  Extension 
school programs give you everything you need from an established 
school, including tests.  One teaches the provided curriculum and 
sends the tests, quizzes, and even "homework" back to the school for 
grading.  This approach provides a pre-planned, thorough program, 
regular grades, and often some kind of diploma.  The disadvantages 
are the cost, and the need to match your schedule and approach to 
the master school curriculum.

Several publishers offer complete curriculums.  One can purchase 
all, or most, of the necessary materials for a coordinated program 
from a single source. I think some programs are completely pre-planned 
where all that remains is the teaching and grading, but for most you 
have to do some work to lay out the schedule and make up tests.  
These programs tend to be cheaper than extension schools and more 
flexable, but may not be as complete and often do not offer diplomas.

The third kind of approach is to create your own curriculum with 
material from many sources.  This offers the most work, the most 
flexability, and the best price.

Mary Pride has a series of books reviewing home school curriculums 
and material.  My wife found them very helpful in setting up our 
curriculum.  I don't have the book titles at work, but I can get 
them if you're interested.  Most Christian book stores carry them 
and you should be able to order them throughan book store.

> 
> What about equivalency diplomas, standardized tests, etc.?

Many extension schools offer diplomas and you can get standardized 
tests from various sources, including HSLDA.

> 
> What do you tell your friends, neighbors, local cop on the beat,
> colleages, and (most of all) other kids about where Junior is
> doing her study?

"We are teaching her at home"  We have not had any real problems.

> 
> Any information about the John Holt center here in Cambridge or
> Arlington, MA, would be most welcome.  (I lost the address.)

Never heard of them.  I'd be interested in any info you get.

> 
> These are serious questions for anyone who plans to embark upon this.
> I really need to know the answers.
> 
> --
> Steve Bacher (Batchman)                 Draper Laboratory
> Internet: seb@draper.com                Cambridge, MA, USA
> 
> 
Newsgroups: misc.education