If you want to homeschool your child, I ask that you consider the following; (most apply to Kentucky Laws)
(a) Why are you homeschooling?
(b) Have you looked into the state laws yet? (visit www.hslda.org). Please look at the state laws to see if you can provide what is required.
(c) Do you know what you want your children need to learn? Have you thought about what curriculum you want to and can provide for your child? Homeschooling can be as cheap or as expensive as you want to make it.
(d) Do you have a plan for your record keeping? You must keep an attendance record and grades for your child. POLE recomends that you keep daily records. That all work be saved and if you do a large project you can not save, take pictures of the project for your records. NOTE: POLE is not responsible for your records. If there is a problem at any time and you need to be able to cover yourself with records, you need to be able to produce them. If you feel you need to have an attorney for your protection, POLE recommends that you look into membership with HSLDA ( Homeschool Legal Defense). Kentucky, you may also want to look into www.chek.org or KHEA In West Virginia, I would check out CHEW. POLE also recommends that you get your childs record copies from the school.
(e) The state does not recommend or require for you to have your child tested. Is this someting that is important to you? If it is, then know that we have teachers that have said that their time would be volunteered to help with this. You are responsible for buying the test. You can get then about $20.00 and up.
(f) Do I have to let the school know I am homeschooling? YES! you need to visit your district office. In Lawrence County, you will see Thomas Gibson. POLE recommends that you have your form recieved by... and have Mr. Gibson sign this form or send it VIA mail, certified...return reciept requested. This proves that the letter made it there. Again, covering you...
(g) Socialization is a concern, how do I address this? Is your child involved in sports, scouting or church groups.....there you go, they have social time. The they will hopefull be involved with a homeschool support group and if they are involved with us, they will get those class parties, field trips and guest speakers that they would other wise miss in a class type setting. Our group has activities available to us through 4H, the horse club, the art council, the library programs and if your child has learning problems and are in grades K-5, the Lawrence County schools will allow your child to take part in the reading, math, speech groups.
If you are still serious about homeschooling and I haven't scared you to death, give our group and e-mail and let me know if you have any other questions, or attend one of our meetings. You are welcome to come by and check us out.
I look forward to working with your family and looking for a fantastic school year.
Cindy Balch, Director
DO I
HAVE TO
DO TO GET
STARTED
HOME-
SCHOOLING ?
