Who is responsible for checking on children being homeschooled?

Question

A child in my neighborhood is being homeschooled, but he just runs the streets and woods all day. Who is responsible for making sure that this child is being educated and not just being kept out of school? He just turned 14 but his mother pulled him out of school a few months ago as he was repeating the 6th grade for the 3rd time.

Answer 1

His parents...stay out of it.

Answer 2

Normally the state has requirements for this.  If you suspect that a child in homeschool is not being properly instructed, you can contact your local school district and they will be able to tell you how to proceed to start an investigation.  Homeschoolers in most states have to follow a certain curiculum and keep records of their school activities.

Answer 3

His parents should monitor his grades and education, and a homeschool evaluator is supposed to check on his homeschool portfolio and grades at the end of each school year to make sure he is recieving a sufficient education. Sometimes, the superintendent of the school district also reviews portfolios.

Answer 4

Parents are responsible for their children, educationally, physically and emotionally.  

From your description of the boy's activities, there doesn't seem to be any kind of abuse.  At 14, he is plenty old enough to play in the woods by himself.  And if he is just recently out of public school (which obviously wasn't working for him), he probably needs some time to deschool.

Of course, I'm assuming you are exaggerating that he runs all day, I can't imagine you spend ALL day watching him.  Unless you have no other life ;)  

It sounds like this child is having difficulties, and his mom is trying another way which is her duty as a mother.  Parents are responsible to find the best way to raise their own children.  

:D

Answer 5

Ok, with the updated info you added I would say its a social services issue, not a educational issue. If you are worried he isn't being taken care of, a call to social services may be in order. This is if you are for sure about the mothers history and that no changes have been made. Someone stepping in on the kids behalf may be in order.

Answer 6

It depends on where you live. Where I live, we are monitored, although some apparently go off the grid and don't register their children at all (which is actually illegal). In many places, however, there are no checks.

Sounds like he's being neglected. :( Unfortunately, it sounds like he was neglected in school, too, since they did nothing to help him get through school. Hopefully there will be somebody in his life at some point who can be a good role model and mentor.

Answer 7

His parents are responsible for their children. They have to make the choice to take on responsibility, and get some curriculum, and keep him from roaming the neighborhood all the time.

Answer 8

His parents are responsible for watching and checking his work but this is the disadvantage for most homeschoolars because they can finish school in about 2-3 hours without having to sit in lectures all day long.  

The major thing about homeschooling is that all grades are usually "mother given" so the ACT and SAT are what makes sure that homeschoolers are doing thier work.

Answer 9

It depends. In some states it is the parents responsibility to send a yearly evaluation to the state to show their child's progress. In others, there are no regulations. Whoever is responsible for checking up on them, I can guarentee you it isn't you, so don't you worry.

Do you watch this family 24/7? That's kinda creepy, don't you think? Assuming you have a life and don't stare in their windows or follow the boy around all day, every day, then it is likely that he is doing online school and finishes in about two or three hours each day, or does his school work at night or durring some hour when you are at work or in your house and don't see him. Homeschoolers are not required to keep the same hours as public schools, and really they don't need to considering how fast one can complete a full day's worth of schooling without the distractions and disruptions of public school, and the freedom to go at your own pace.

It may also be likely that this child attends a charter school and only has to go in to school on certain days of the week. Or perhaps he just does lessons with his mother in the evenings. They may be unschooling, and his roamings durring the day are directly related to his education in some way or another. Unschooling is becomming more and more common.

Another thing to consider is that they may be having a period of "de-schooling". Usually a child who is pulled out of school late in their development (like durring teenage years) and has been doing poorly or having a generally rough and dammaging time with the public school system (or who is too well programmed by the public school routine) will require a period of de-schooling, a time durring which the child just relaxes and takes a much needed break to get out of the public school mindset, get rid of academic burn-out, and rediscover themselves and their natural love for learning. Durring this time, the family begins to make the transition into homeschooling which is typically not meant to be the same thing as public school just done at home, and you likely will see kids just wandering the neighborhoods or reading for pleasure or just relaxing for a while, often up to an entire academic year as they make the transition. It's perfectly normal. Yous houldn't worry.

Answer 10

His parents are responsible for checking on him - that's the point behind homeschooling.  If he's repeating the 6th grade for the 3rd time, apparently the state wasn't doing a whole lot for him.

Homeschooling a 6th grader really doesn't take all that long - about 3 hours or so, on average.  He could get up at 8, get his stuff done by 10 or 11, and be done for the day - plenty of time to run in the woods.  He could also need some time off of the "wonderful" experience he apparently had in public school, so his mom is deschooling him.

I have an up and coming 6th grader who is 3-5 years ahead of grade level and doing high school work in several subjects; he averages about 3-4 hours a day, more if he's really interested.  However, once he's done, he's playing with his friends (also homeschooled, and done with their work) at least 2-3 days per week.  The child's passing algebra with a 98% average and reading Jules Verne - I think his education is intact.

Quite frankly, what's wrong with running in the woods and playing?  I can remember doing so during the summer as a child, and people smiled as we went by.  Now, 6th graders are stuck in a desk for 6-8 hours, have 3-4 hours of homework a night, as well as chores and anything else they're involved in, and have no time to be kids.  

Unless you suspect actual abuse - like you hear screaming and see the kid running from the house with cuts and bruises - it's not yours to get into.  His parents are responsible for his education, not the state.  Depending on the laws in your state, it's likely he has to pass the same tests that public school children do, so if the state has to get involved, they'll do so at that time.

Edit - depending on which state you're in, he may have an evaluation and/or testing at the end of the year; yes, he may be getting lost in the system, but he was at school as well (and likely in a worse way).  

If you're up to it, you may try making friends with him - ask him if he'd like to make a few bucks mowing your yard or something, show him how you'd like it done, and see if he steps up to it.  If he does, just chat with him before or after about things that interest you; become sort of an informal teacher.  Encourage him, as time goes by, to research or pursue things that interest him, and see the changes that happen in his motivation and attitude.

Likely, no one has ever taken an interest in this kid; he may have even decided, or been outright told, that he's stupid or can't learn.  A 14yo still in the 6th grade could easily think that way.  Just the act of taking an interest in him could do wonders for him, and could help him get his life back on track.  I'm not saying to take him in, or to start running classes with him or anything, but just to encourage him (if he responds) and show him that he's *not* useless or stupid.

The few adults that did this for me truly changed my life...due to their belief in me, I went from being a troubled kid to a wife, mom, and teacher.  I saw the importance of showing kids that they really are important.

Anyway, if you're up for it, and he responds to your encouragement (however you choose to offer it), it may be just the thing to get him off the street and into the books :)

Answer 11

Now I know that he may have repeated the grade a few times BUT he may have a behavioral issue. He may be very smart. I know when I was pulled I was able to pass the GED test in 9th grade. My mom waited though. So I got a full time job and worked until I started college at 17. If you feel the need to report it call the board of education or whoever you would call for child abuse. From what I understand just keeping a child out of school is an offense of some kind and parents are supposed to be reported.