7 Things to Know When Considering Homeschooling

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a substantial disruption in schooling that has led to an increased interest in homeschooling. Teachers are working to provide education in this uncertain time, but of course it is extremely difficult to meet the needs of everyone. Some families need to be more physically distant from others than their local schools allow, while other families have found that their school districts’ remote learning plan does not meet their children’s needs. This is leading many parents to ask the question: 

Is homeschooling a possibility for my family? 

As a long-time homeschooling parent and an independent educational consultant who specializes in working with homeschoolers, I would like to share with you seven things that anyone who is considering homeschooling should know. 

First, you do not need to be a trained teacher or have a college degree to homeschool your children, no matter their ages. You do need to know your children as individuals, be able to support their learning, and be willing to look for help when you or they need it. You can do this!

Second, homeschooling does not require recreating school at home, with children sitting at a kitchen table covered in textbooks and worksheets for hours in a row. There are as many ways to homeschool as there are homeschooling families. The beauty of homeschooling is that you can tailor each child’s education to what they need when they need it. When babies learn to talk, they don’t all learn the same word at the same time. Similarly children don’t need to work on identical material in the second month of third grade, or be at the same grade level in all subjects! Your children’s developmental readiness, your family’s plans for the future after homeschooling, and your educational philosophy will guide how you put together your homeschooling plan.

Third, it is important to know the local laws about homeschooling. Homeschooling is legal everywhere in the United States, but educational regulations differ. Examples in 2020: Massachusetts parents who wish to homeschool are required to submit proposals to their local school districts; we sign that we will meet “certain reasonable educational requirements” such as the minimum number of days of instruction and the subjects to be covered. The District of Columbia requires parents to file a Notification of Intent to Homeschool to the Office of the State Superintendent of Education. In Michigan, however, parents are not required to report to any official; homeschoolers are expected to ensure that their children study the basic subjects, but don’t have to submit paperwork. Laws vary in other countries as well.

Fourth, homeschooling does not limit what students can do next. As you make your decision and plans, it is helpful to consider how each student’s homeschooling journey may end. Would you be homeschooling only during the pandemic, with plans for your child to return to their previous school system when the situation allows? Will your child homeschool through the end of high school and then apply to college, an apprenticeship, a gap year, or a job? The answers to these questions will help your family decide your homeschooling path. 

Fifth, you will need to document your child’s learning. A homeschooling parent takes responsibility for putting together an educational plan for each child and assessing the level of their learning. Schools provide transcripts or narrative evaluations that are submitted to subsequent schools or colleges, and homeschooling parents do the same. This can seem daunting, but it is doable! Parents who previously homeschooled their children may provide advice; you can also seek out an independent educational consultant who specializes in providing guidance and assistance to homeschooling parents.

Sixth, there are many, many resources to help you homeschool. Some homeschoolers design their own studies using a wide range of resources including books, documentaries, movies, websites, podcasts, kitchen tools, building supplies, museums, and the natural world. Others prefer to purchase a pre-designed curriculum with texts, assignments, activities, and tests all planned in advance. There are books, course outlines, curricula, and classes available for typical school subjects (e.g. 3rd grade math) and specialty topics (e.g. ancient Roman engineering). You can also find a wide variety of classes available, from independent classes taught by other homeschoolers to community college classes available to teens who homeschool. 

This leads to my final point: you do not have to homeschool alone! I highly recommend that you connect to other homeschooling families. There are many homeschooling communities you can join, both online and regional. Some groups are for general homeschooling discussion while others are limited to a particular subgroup of homeschoolers, such as those who share an activity or a learning philosophy. Family members of all ages can find rich friendships through such groups. It is only a myth that homeschoolers aren’t socially competent. Some of the most articulate and helpful young people I know are homeschoolers with friends of many ages, including adults.  

Homeschooling is a journey that many families have found well worth the time and effort. You can put together what works for your family, and your children can learn skills when it is developmentally appropriate for them. When you need help, you can reach out to your homeschooling community, find mentors or tutors, and/or seek out an independent educational consultant. As a homeschooling family, you have the flexibility to determine how your children will learn what they need to know to move on to their next opportunities. If school is not the right choice for your family at this time, welcome to homeschooling! 

Michele Evard is a veteran homeschooling parent and an independent educational consultant who specializes in working with homeschoolers. She can be contacted by email to michele@evardconsulting.com or through Evard Educational Consulting.

Sources for legal requirements in 2020: 
District of Columbia
Massachusetts
Michigan