Homeschooling questions??!?

Question

1. To be homeschooled.... is it expensive? What would my moms money be spent on? Does it depend on what stae you are in (New York) or a program or something?

2. It's March 12.... and I am now in the 2nd marking period... so would it be too late to start homeschooling at this point? Or does that also depend on the NY laws?

3. They say you still geta transcript when you are homeschooled.... but how does that happen? Are your parents the one who give you the grades? Or do you submit all of your work somewhere?

4. What are the steps required to start homeschooling? I go to my current school with my mother and tell them... etc....etc.... and then you just get into it like that? I'm confused about the process....

I have been looking online about this issue.... but there are still some things that I am unclear on. Thanks for all of your help!

Answer 1

Homeschooling can cost anything from completely free to ??? - it all depends on what resources you already have available to you, what your specific needs are and what you really want to get out of the experience. There are many homeschoolers who rely solely on the use of libraries and Internet, those (like me) who buy a text book or two, some literature, the cost of a few field trips and supplies, and those who go with an outside source (also known as "school in a box"). Of course, enrolling in an outside course, Scouts/4H/athletics program can also vary in costs as well.

As far as when to start, that is ANYTIME! When I first began to homeschool my son, it was in the middle of February while he was in seventh grade. I requested his transcript for him to enroll in *my* private school, just like any other school would. You need to look into what the requirements are for your state as far as how to withdraw and to keep up with their requirements. Some require yearly testing, some just to declare you're homeschooling and nothing more.

Answer 2

1.  It's as expensive as you make it.  There are many methods of HS'ing and you choose what fits within your budget.  FWIW, we spend $3000K+ per year for one child.  It does not depend on your state except that states which require standardized testing and/or certified teachers to check a portfolio - in those states, there will be costs for those services.

2.  The NY laws don't have anything to do with when you start.  You can start today if you'd like.  You can "after school" and start some of the work and go to PS.

3.  Your parents make a transcript.  OR if you choose an online program, sometimes they will give you transcripts (for one, or all, of your courses).  If you choose an online school, then sometimes you do have to submit work - whether that's a public (NY doesn't have them), or private school.  Otherwise, if your parents are your primary teachers, they make the transcript.  You will also want to keep a portfolio of your work for college admissions use in the future.

4.  Go to the HSLDA site for the NY laws:

http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp?St...

You have to file within 14 days of HS'ing with your local superintendent's office.   You have to complete an "Individualized Home Instruction" plan (district has the form).   You also have to file attendance reports and report quarterly to your superintendent's offlice.  You have to do an annual assessment by June 30th.

You will most likely have to "dis-enroll" from your public/private school.

HTH!

Answer 3

1. It can be as expensive or as cheap as you would like. You can go out and buy lots of pre-packaged school curricula or you can use the library and the interenet as your main resources. NY state has no required curricula, only required subject areas.

2. You can start homeschooling whenever your mom wants, she just has to send in her letter of intent. The superintendant will probably ask for an Individualized Home Education Plan (IHIP) for the rest of the year-- which is basically just listing some of the things you plan to study-- maybe give you dates by which he wants a couple of reports (NY requires quarterly reports, but we began in January and only had to do 2 reports for the end of the year).  

3. Your parents can make your transcripts by listing what you've studied, or your parents can sign you up under an umbrella school or virtual learning program-- we (my family) don't particularly like these kinds of programs, but to each his own.

4. Your mom will have to contact your local board of ed, and send in what they call a "letter of intent" which is basically a letter stating she wants to homeschool, and will have to begin working on that IHIP-- ASAP. It's not as hard as it sounds.  

Some schools prefer you go there and withdraw the child or they end up sending all kinds of truancy letters.