Do I have to use a set curriculum or can I just teach to my state's frameworks?

Question

I am a licensed teacher (currently teaching) and am tossing around the idea of homeschooling my ADHD son sometime in the future. I am not happy with some of the homeschool curriculum I've seen. Can I do like I currently do, using the state frameworks as a guide and pull from different texts, etc. to teach the material?

I know here in Arkansas, my child would have to take an annual test. Is he just required to pass this test and I show proof of the grades I've given him with my "created" curriculum? Or do I have to use a published curriculum?

Answer 1

The beauty of home school is that you can use what ever you want from where ever you want. We chose to use Sonlight because it has the lesson plans to help us keep on track and I have very little planning from one day to the next with it. Since you are a teacher you may have an easier time getting together the materials you need and can pull together your own curriculum. You don't have to use a boxed program. As long as he is taught what the state expects for his grade level and can pass the testing then you are fine with what ever way you choose.

Answer 2

My understanding is you can basically teach them according to your curriculum.  Thats one of the big pluses of homeschooling - they can go at their own pace and study, within reason, what they want.  My favorite curriculum for what its worth is the great books program:

http://www.greatbooksacademy.org/

Thanks

Bill

Answer 3

Check your state laws, but in most states you are not required to use a published curriculum. TONS of homeschoolers do it without a set "boxed" curriculum. they just pick and choose their own materials... Everything from computer software to educational websites to library books can be used. That's what we do, and it works wonderfully for us!

Answer 4

I would recommend the State Standards in regard to curriculum; afterall, that's what your son will be tested over.  As for materials, I've found the Saxon textbooks to be excellent... and they offer home-school textbooks on their website.  For some ideas on teaching alternative education, check out the free www.alternativeeducationbible.com

Answer 5

You can teach as you wish. If you see here http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/laws... it says

Test results for home school students will be used for reporting purposes only.

So, not only can you decide what you want him to learn and can use any resource you wish (btw, there's not a SINGLE place that requires that you purchase a homeschool-specific curriculum), but it doesn't matter how he does on the tests.

Answer 6

I read the rules from the HSLDA site and just wonder what kind of  standardized test they require and are the grades used to show proof that you can continue to homeschool?

If it is standardized for the subjects that the public school is learning, then you may want to follow the scope and sequence of the public school curriculum.  If it is a general test, like the CAT, then I would think you could create your own curriculum.

The reason I asked about the scores, is because in our state we are required to give the test, but they are not required to perform at any certain level.   The test made me crazy the first year, thinking of the embarrassment in case it showed that  I could do no better than the public school in teaching my son.  (No reflection on the teachers, just the class room system.)   I was relieved with the results and  more relaxed at the next testing time.   It helped knowing that no one but our family were concerned with results.

Since you are in the school system, you will have access to 'trashed' material.   If it is like the school where my husband and I work,  you will have enough material  to homeschool for 24 years. (smile)  

We considered homeschooling from the 3rd grade to the 8th grade and it took my husband getting a job at the middle school for him to be totally sold on the idea.   Three weeks into homeschooling he admitted to me that he had been wrong to not have made the committment earlier.  I had been preparing 5 years for the day that he said after a particularly bad day at work, "I think it is time we homeschool".

Answer 7

Go to the Arkansas Department of Ed website and look up their laws (as well as their state frameworks).  Or look up www.hslda.org -- they have the laws for every state.  There may be homeschool options where he doesn't have to take the state's test; you may be able to give one you choose at the time you choose, and just send in the results?  I don't think you have to purchase a boxed curriculum in order to meet Arkansas requirements....