Home schooling in Alabama?

Question

If anyone could please offer any links or information on home schooling in Alabama, I would be greatful. I am a parent that is going to start home schooling my son at the end of this school year and I would greatly appreciate any information anyone could offer.

Thanks!

Answer 1

I know nothing bout Alabama requirements.  You need to check with the state and other home schoolers on this.

We used the ABEKA materials way back, and liked them well..

We cooperated as a family, and now n many states there are homeschooling associations to help out; I got in contact with some through a small Christian College nearby.

This college helped home schoolers with auditorium space, and some PE and music/theatre training help. Did sound for one of their plays.

I can back up some areas of questions, tho been a long time.  may be others who can act as resource persons, and if you can find a homeschooling group close by you can give and receive help in handling what will come up.

Best wishes, I am sure with God's help you will do well, and He will lead you to the right resources.

Be sure you keep mostly regular times, and cover that which will be asked by the State.  Be well to get the questions as soon as possible in the school year so you are sure to cover the areas needed.  Best wishes, and hope you get a flood of information.

Mmm...you can also look to Focus on the Family for resources and suggestions.  www.Family.com  I definitely would suggest making contact there, and asking for assistance and advice.

I favor pulling no punches on academics and on vocabulary, although my kids have had a few problems with thinking too well and widely, and having much larger vocabularies than their compatriots.  The have had to learn to dumb down for most of their compatriots. I has to teach mine that "egghead" was really a compliment, not an expletive!

Feel home-schooling in today's word produces better adult citizens in the end.  Worth the effort...and you can teach them real education all the time, not spending half a year making sure no student forges ahead with the NCLB programs of the public schools.

Answer 2

Your first stop should be http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp?St... for the legal requirements.

Based on their analysis, it sounds like you have to create a 'church school' (unless you want to hire a state-certified tutor). Because of freedom of religion, such things tend to be loosely defined, but I would also check with local homeschooling groups (google them using your state, county or town and homeschool groups) to see how that church school clause is actually defined and enforced.

Answer 3

Hi!  

I homeschool my 3 children and we've really been enjoying it.  When preparing to homeschool, there are a few thing you need to think about:

What is your child's learning style?  How does he or she learn best?

What are your goals for your child?  What do you want as an end result for his or her education?

Once you've thought that through, start thinking about how you want to teach your child.  This is the homeschooling method.

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

Then start looking at curriculums that fit the method you have in mind.  It may change once you start homeschooling and that is okay.  Sometimes it takes some experimenting.

I also encourage you to find a homeschool support group and attend a curriculum fair.  This will give you a chance to look at different type of curricula.  There is more information on that here:

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

There's a state convention coming up in May (it is Christian, though):

http://www.chefofalabama.org/2008_state_...

Here's a link to support groups in your area:

http://www.alabamahomeschooling.net/emai...

Good luck!