How to Start Homeschooling Your Children

This is a broad topic and I could fill a very large book and still not cover everything. There are plenty of books, magazines, and websites with helpful information on homeschooling, so I want to focus on helping those who are considering homeschooling or are just getting started.

The first thing you need to do is find out the laws in your state. An estimated 1-1/2 to 2 million children are currently being taught at home by their parents. Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, but each state has its own set of regulations. For example, Texas gives homeschoolers the classification of a private school. Texans do not need to report anything to the state - number of days in their school year, subjects studied, etc. Texas law does require that the homeschool cover five basic subjects: reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics, and good citizenship. However, we are not required to report to any government agency or school district.

Not all states are so accomodating, however. Washington State, for example, has two options. Either you establish a home school and teach twelve subjects, spend 180 days or 1000 cumulative hours in your school year, and have standardized testing or you operate under a private school in an extension program. Both options require that you be a certified teacher, approved by the superintendent, or under the supervision of a certified teacher. I haven't listed all the requirements, just enough to give you an idea of the contrasts between the two states. One is lenient, while the other is much more regulated.