Many parents and students were tossed into homeschooling during the Covid-19 pandemic. Whether you knew about homeschooling already or this was your first rodeo, you and your children were able to establish routines and get through the school years unscathed. As schools prepare to reopen fully this coming fall session, you may be debating whether you’ll continue with public schooling. If you are considering homeschooling, it’s best to do your research, though, and make sure you are familiar with your local and state laws regarding schooling. Homeschoolfacts.com has the information and resources you need to best determine your future homeschooling endeavors.
Maneuvering the Transition
With public schools being forced to shut down, many parents would have gone through the motions of schooling kids at home. Receiving the tools and schoolwork necessary to continue educating your children was a no-brainer, as no family would have been equipped with everything they needed. Thus, if you’re considering homeschooling again, you will need to establish what you will and won’t need for your child’s education. It can be simple things as school supplies or a more stable “classroom” at home, such as a spare room or a corner of the family room. But you will also want to make sure you are providing the necessary subjects and time allowed for state homeschooling laws.
State Laws
Some states are very lenient on these issues while others have more specific allotments for certain aspects. It’s good to know where your state stands in general and to confirm that you’re covering what you need to. Some states, such as Illinois, don’t require a set number for your child’s school hours per grade. In New Mexico, however, they do require hours per grade, such as 450 hours for half-day kindergarten and 990 hours for grades 1-6. New Mexico also has state-mandated subjects that need to be taught, such as reading, mathematics, social studies and science, to name a few. Some states only encourage you to alert your children’s schools that they will be unenrolling and beginning homeschooling for the following year.
Doing Your Research
Of course, knowing your state laws in regards to homeschooling isn’t the only item you should be concerned about. You’ll also want to determine the best curriculum and subjects needed to continue your child’s education the right way. But having an idea of what your state may need to show your child’s grades and overall good standing is always a good idea. Homeschoolfacts.com can help you with our extensive list of every state’s requirement, hours needed, and subjects necessary to set you up for success this coming school year.
Determining the legality of starting homeschooling in your state couldn’t be easier! HomeschoolFacts.com has a complete list of homeschool requirements organized by state here: https://www.homeschoolfacts.com/state-laws.html
Katie Kyzivat