We know: All About Homeschooling

What is homeschooling?

Homeschooling is the term used for educating children in the home. It's also called home-based learning or home education.

Is homeschooling legal?

Yes, all 50 states allow homeschooling.

How do I find out the requirements for homeschooling?

Education is regulated by each state and homeschooling requirements differ from state to state. The best way to know what is required by your state is to visit your local school district office, or contact your state's education office.

You can also find out about individual state requirements by visiting homeschooling websites such as Homeschooling Education Magazine and the National Home Education Network and using their state-by-state lists.

How do I get started homeschooling?

There are lots of resources available to help parents who would like to homeschool their children. Here are some ways to begin:

Start compiling and reading a list of books and magazines devoted to homeschooling. You can find these on the web.
Look for homeschooling organizations, such as the National Homeschooling Education Network, and subscribe to their newsletters.
Visit or contact homeschool suppliers. Many companies now provide homeschool education materials, including books and curricula. It's also possible to find used materials and curricula, to keep costs down.
Join a homeschooling support group made up of other parents who are homeschooling. Information on these groups is available online and from groups like the National Homeschooling Education Network.

How do I decide exactly what I'm going to teach, i.e., the curriculum I should use?

A variety of curricula for preschool through high school are available from various companies and you can buy and follow these lesson plans.

Remember, your state may require that certain subjects be taught, such as language arts (phonics, reading, literature, grammar, spelling, penmanship, and vocabulary), math, science, and history (social studies, geography, civics, and government).

You will want to make sure that, whatever curriculum you follow, you are meeting your state's education requirements.

What happens when homeschooled students want to apply for college?

If you are homeschooling a high school student, you should look into the requirements of colleges you are considering. Many colleges have provisions for homeschool applications, but you will probably have to provide specific documentation and test scores to be considered for admission.

Planning ahead can help you avoid problems later.