I want to be homeschooled but don't know how to get started?

Question

I want to be homeschooled but don't know how to get started. Must my parents teach me? Are there any other options such as doing everything online? What do I tell the school I am currently attending? Are there any paperworks that must be done? If someone knows a lot about homeschooling or at all, please help. If you have a website containing a lot of helpful information, please do share.

And another question, if you're homeschooled, how do you take tests and who grades them? What about state tests (PSSA, SSAT, etc)

Answer 1

hslda.org

look at HSLDA for state laws in your state. That site will help you alot.



Choosing to home school is great! You'll probably find that you LOVE it!! You won't have problems with socializing  if you join other activities such as sports and other things. Also join a home school support group and don't let people like the first poster change your mind. Choosing how you are educated is your decision, not any one else's, except maybe your parents. haha.Anyway, hslda can help you alot...

Edit:

Okay..you're in PA. This like below will give you laws for PA.

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

Answer 2

Here is a website with the laws for your state:

http://www.hslda.org/laws/analysis/Penns...

It lists all the answers of paperwork for you.

You need to talk to your parents and see if this is what they want for you as well.  They are ultimately responsible for your education.  If you really want to be homeschooled tell your parents why and let them know you want to take control of your education to better yourself.

Your parents grade your work unless you went with an online academy.   You take tests like anyone else.

As for PSAT, SAT, ACT, etc...  you will take those at a different site than your home.  You can get a list of where online and they send them out to be tested.

I hope all works out well for you.

Answer 3

I don't understand why you would want to be home schooled.

Children who are home schooled don't develop the social skills needed in the real world. Rethink your decision. If you don't like your school/the people in it try finding a closer district with open-enrollment.

Answer 4

hey i am doing online homeschooling at connectionsacademy.com

its a online school and its a lot easier on your parents b/cuz they don't have to teach you. yes you still take standardized testing, but they will set up several locations throughout your state so you can take them.

You do have to sign a lot of papers, but its not a lot of work.

the whole enrollment process takes about 3 weeks.

and don't listen to the people who say you will lose social skills. my neighbor was homeschooled her whole life, and just recently went to public school and she is extremely outgoing, she is friends with everyone. goodluck!:)

Answer 5

A child who is enrolled in a home education

program and whose education is therefore under the direct supervision of his parent, guardian or other person having legal custody shall be deemed to have met the requirements of section 1327 if that home education program provides a minimum of one hundred eighty (180) days of instruction or nine hundred (900) hours of instruction per year at the elementary level, or nine hundred ninety (990) hours per year at the secondary level:

(1)At the elementary school level, the following courses shall be taught: English, to include spelling, reading and writing; arithmetic; science; geography; history of the United States and Pennsylvania; civics; safety education, including regular and continuous instruction in the dangers and prevention of fires; health and physiology; physical education; music; and art

(2)At the secondary school level, the following courses shall be taught:  English, to include language, literature, speech and composition; science; geography; social studies, to include civics, world history, history of the United States and Pennsylvania; mathematics, to include general mathematics, algebra and geometry; art; music; physical education; health; and safety education, including regular and continuous instruction in the dangers and prevention of fires. Such courses of study may include, at the discretion of the supervisor of the home education program, economics; biology; chemistry; foreign languages; trigonometry; or other age-appropriate courses as contained in Chapter 5 (Curriculum Requirements) of the State board of Education.

(d)The following minimum courses in grades

nine through twelve are established as a requirement for graduation in a home education program:

(1)Four years of English.

(2)Three years of mathematics.

(3)Three years of science.

(4)Three years of social studies.

(5)Two years of arts and humanities.

(e)In order to demonstrate that appropriate

education is occurring, the supervisor of the home education program shall provide and maintain on file the following documentation for each student enrolled in the home education program:

(1)A portfolio of records and materials. The

portfolio shall consist of a log, made contemporaneously with the instruction, which designates by title the reading materials used, samples of any writings, worksheets, workbooks or creative materials used or developed by the student and in grades three, five, and eight results of nationally normed standardized achievement tests in reading/language arts and mathematics or the results of Statewide tests administered in these grade levels. The department shall establish a list, with a minimum of five tests, of nationally normed standardized tests from which the supervisor of the home education program shall select a test to he administered if the supervisor does not choose the Statewide tests. At the discretion of the supervisor, the portfolio may include the results of nationally normed standardized achievement tests for other subject areas or grade levels. The supervisor shall ensure that the nationally normed standardized tests or the Statewide tests shall not be administered by the child's parent or guardian.    

Parents can obtain and use PA evaluation tests except in grades 3,5 and 8 which must be administered by a third party

A notarized affidavit of the parent or

guardian or other person having legal custody of the child or children, filed prior to the commencement of the home education program and annually thereafter on August 1 with the superintendent of the school district of residence and which sets forth: the name of the supervisor of the home education program who shall be responsible for the provision of instruction; the name and age of each child who shall participate in the home education program; the address and telephone number of the home education program site; that such subjects as required by law are offered in the English language, including an outline of proposed education objectives by subject area; evidence that the child has been immunized in accordance with the provisions of section 1303 (a) and has received the health and medical services required for students of the child's age or grade level in Article XIV; and that the home education program shall comply with the provisions of this section and that the notarized affidavit shall be satisfactory evidence thereof. The required outline of proposed education objectives shall not be utilized by the superintendent in determining if the home education program is out of compliance with this section and section 1327. The affidavit shall contain a certification to be signed by the supervisor that the supervisor, all adults living in the home and persons having legal custody of a child or children in a home education program have not been convicted of the criminal offenses enumerated in subsection (e) of section 111 within five years immediately preceding the date of the affidavit.