Employment for special educators in home schools?

Question

how do you know if your child is getting the right education if they are special needs and are homeschooled arte their openings for teachers to monitor and write these kids iep's? I need a job, PA

Answer 1

I think you may have homeschool confused with one of the following:

Private Online School Done From home

Online Public School

HomeBound Public School

An IEP is a public school concept and not a homeschool concept.  

By its very definition and nature, each homeschool student has an Individualized Education Plan that is developed by the parents (and students).

As a homeschooling parent, if I thought that my child had special needs that I was unqualified to handle I would search out the best specialist (MD, PhD) in the particular area of need.  I would start (and probably end) my search for said professional at well known Universities or children's hospitals.

***UPDATE: Very good answer hsmomlove....

Answer 2

Homeschool parents of special needs kids tend to research their childrens' needs deeply and widely; they are often as knowledgeable about their childrens' needs (physical, academic, and social) as any expert.  They homeschool because they have taken the responsibility to be the expert on their child(ren).

That's not to say that you can't be of service and employed by the homeschool community; you very well may be able to.  However, you will want to get to know the local homeschool community first, to see what their needs are and how to best present yourself.  I can tell you that if you go in as "I'm a teacher and you need me", you're not likely to get any takers.  If you go in as "these are my qualifications and I'm committed to helping you meet your children's needs", you will have a better reaction.

In our group, we recently had a couple of teachers that work with pull-out programs in a local school district hold some training classes for moms and high schoolers.  These were on effective study techniques, use of graphic organizers and other methods of "out of the box" research, and other similar topics.  They were very well received and had a lot of families attend - partly because they were very respectful and met the families where they were at.  They didn't try to bring the classroom into the homeschool.

There's nothing wrong with classroom instruction (if it's done correctly), but it's a whole different world from homeschooling.  The logistics, the methods, and the approaches are very different.  Neither is "right" or "wrong", they're just two different situations.  If that is where you want to work, you need to know what you're getting into, and how to approach prospective clients.

Hope that helps...good luck :-)

Answer 3

If you decide to homeschool your child, you give up the right to get any kind of special ed services. If you don't think they are getting what they need, send them back to public school, or at least private school.

Answer 4

You know they are getting the right education because you can see the results. You don't need an IEP because you don't need to outline to someone else what your child's needs and goals are since YOU are responsible for your own child, and not someone who doesn't actually know your child personally.

If you want to offer special services to homeschooled children with special needs, I can think of a few things that aren't necessarily needed badly, but would make life a little more convenient. Brailling a week's worth of assignments at a time for a blind homeschooler would be a help, since while any parent homeschooling a blind child would know braille, it does take a long time to write out say a 50 question math test or a set of instructions for a project. Though there are alternative methods for everything, so it isn't likely people will flock to you for this service. Offering a sign language class for homeschoolers might be appreciated by both special needs HSers, and those who just want to learn the language.  You could also become a tutor and offer services to both public and homeschoolers alike who may want extra help in an area, or run a study/activity group for special needs homeschoolers.

Answer 5

And I echo what the other posts say, we know our children are getting the "right" education because we see the results. We also homeshool because we do not feel the need to be accountable to anyone else if choose not to be. My accountability is to God first, then my family (others may disagree, fine)

If you truly wish to help the homeschool community, then may I suggest you learn about the homeschool community first, because a major shift in thinking is needed.

If all you are interested in is finding a job (and nothing wrong there, everyone needs one) then find a job in a field you understand and appreciate.

Answer 6

Kids who are being homeschooled are under no obligation to have IEPs. Generally, special needs kids are homeschooled because the parents disagreed with the school's plan, and didn't think IEPs were particularly necessary. I don't see much of a business opportunity here.

Answer 7

Some people will hire a homeschool coordinator to help them choose their curriculum or to help them get through the rough spots.    However those positions are few and far between