What are the easiest/hardest states to homeschool in? - Page 3

[sha_lyn]

Originally Posted by ShannonCC

If reporting and testing really worked this way then every child in the school system should graduate well educated and literate and that just doesn't happen.

ITA.
Those who do not send their children to PS and do not HS will continue to no matter what the state requires of HS'ers. They will stay under the radar and not report anything. the school system will have no idea the children exist

Also, HSed kids can talk a class at school or play on teams at school if they wish

I use to think this was a good idea, but now I am completely against it. HS'ers themsleves will find or form ways to have classes or sports if they desire. I really feel that the PS system, once their foot is in the door, will continue to take more control of HS'ers. I want them out of my childrens education. If I wanted my kids PS educated I would send them to PS. I also don't like the idea of the PS getting tax dollars for a child who is not schooled there 100%. I think it opens the door for them to require all HS'er to require all HS'ers to have some attachment to a school.

[Linda KS]

Originally Posted by sha_lyn

I really feel that the PS system, once their foot is in the door, will continue to take more control of HS'ers. I want them out of my childrens education. ...
I think it opens the door for them to require all HS'er to require all HS'ers to have some attachment to a school.

I've gone back and forth on this issue a bunch of times. I don't want to have anything to do with public schools, but I don't have a problem with other parents doing things differently from the way I do them.

Although there are lots of oportunities for homeschooled kids, there really are some things, like highschool football or drama, that just aren't going to be available at the same level somewhere else. Although the situation where we lived was very open, very few families choose to take a class or play sports. It was just too much of a hassle. I knew one mom who did (her DD took Drama and loved it) but she said it was a real pain to get her there 5 days a weeks. It really broke up their day. I never actually met anyone who's child played a sport, but it was occassionally mentioned in the papers.

The schools didn't get any money for the homeschoolers and no paper work or testing was required of them.

[sha_lyn]

The options do open when there is enough demand for it.
IE in our area HS drama classes are offered through a local performing arts center. From what I understand they are "top notch". The young actress Dakota (something?) studied there. She was in the TV mini series taken, and has been in several motion pictures, just right now I can't think of any.

While sports are a bit more of a problem, there are non PS ways to do that too. Here there is a HS team that plays against private schools.
There are many individual sports or sports non offered in PS that have highly competitive teams in the area. Swimming, gymnastics, Martial arts, etc. There is also sports such as golf and tennis, while offered at the PS, there are also highly competitive non PS competitions out there.
Speaking of Martial arts, that is the option that we have chosen. My children have competed at the national level for 2 years. Many colleges have competitive marital arts programs. A scholarship to one of them is something we are looking into at the moment

[mamarhu]

There are so many non-school options for just about any subject of interest. Recreation departments, YMCA, libraries, museums, Jewish Community Center; all have kids' programs, sometimes homeschool specific (daytime hours). Private classes in art or music, martial arts through independant dojos, etc. I have a grudge against the public schools here (didn't have this attitude in CA, but Georgia is different) so I would never use anything this school offered. But I don't think we are missing anything.

[eilonwy]

Originally Posted by sha_lyn

The young actress Dakota (something?) studied there. She was in the TV mini series taken, and has been in several motion pictures, just right now I can't think of any.

Dakota Fanning. She was in "The Cat in the Hat," "Man on Fire," and loads of other things. She's a real cutie.

[sha_lyn]

I could see her face but couldn't place any movies except that she play the young version of the lead character in Swet Home Alabama. That is when I found out that she was from here. The mom I went to the movie with knew about her from the performing arts center. My friend's son was in the HS class.

[teachermom]

I love homeschooling in texas. I feel very spoiled doing it in austin because we have several wonderful large support groups. here are some of the groups in the dallas area...

(look about half way down the page) http://www.apconnect.org/LocalEd.htm

http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/...SupportDFW.htm

(also look about half way down the page. this is off the TAFFIE list, a great resorce list for texas homeschoolers) http://www.jsoft.com/archive/taffie/...l#PrariesLakes

[mama_kass]

[QUOTE=mother

I know the reporting is a pain, but remember that it protects children whose parents may keep them home and not teach them anything. And i'm not talking about unschoolers, i'm talking about neglect.

Good luck!!! [/QUOTE]


Mother,
I totally disagree with this statement! There are already MANY laws in place to protect children from child abuse and neglect. If a child was being neglected than a friend, neighbor, relative, doctor, clergy, ect could report it. We do not need the goverment watching us to *make sure* children are not getting neglected. IMO all the parents I've met who homeschool do so because they want the best for their children.

BTW, where are you in MD? I am from Maryland and depending on where you are could direct you to resources in your community for homeschoolers.

[tinawoman]

homeschool/homebirth

Originally Posted by tweetybirds2

Thanks for all the leads so far, and also for the website and book recommendation.
I also have this fear that I will move and then the laws will change on me.
Now I want to compare how the homebirthing communities compare with the homeschooling laws.
I just wanna do what I want with my family without having to worry about the state interfering, is that to much to ask?

i personally find california a good place to be because its, in my opinion, a very forward thinking state with lots of open minded people. mind you, we do have our conservatives here too...they're everywhere unfortunately...but i live in the central valley and we have a LARGE community of attachment parents, homeschoolers, homebirthers....LOTS of non-mainstreamers, and i bump into more and more all the time. so in my opinion, california is a good place to be for many reasons...the people just tend to be very open minded and, lol, there's not many towns without health food stores, LOL. they don't call us a granola state for nothing! LOL!! although i hear that oregon and washington are pretty crunchy as well...and they have much better air then we do here in the central valley. but, well, we have a much cheaper cost of living...it all balances out. depends on what your personal priorities are. some people would probably hate california. i personally love it, there's so much diversity within the state and if i can get my husband to let go of the central valley (he's born and raised here)...there's an infinite amount of possibilities just within this one state....all climates and habitats and just so much to choose from. and as others pointed out, CA hs'ing laws are quite easy.

as far as conservative christian homeschooling groups...we have them here too, but we also have a large secular homeschooling community, so i'm sticking with them, lol.

just thought i'd let ya know how things are out here in california!



tina
mommy to maeven, 4yrs, hospital c-section, and baelin, stillborn homebirth 4/17/04 due to rare genetic bone disorder (no reason to test for this since its rare and no family history...and not related, according to the coroner, to where he was born), EDD #3 7/05

[Shellie]

Originally Posted by Linda KS

We just moved away from Tucson AZ last summer and it is a wonderful place to homeschool. The intent is no big deal, it is just states that you are responsible for educating your own children and then you and your DH sign it. It is a one time thing. Tucson has 8 homeschooling groups so it is easy to find one to find one you like AND the groups all get together occassionaly for things like spelling bees, science fairs, etc. Once a year they have a "Homeschooling 101" night as a way to provide homeschooling information to any one in the community who is interested. The county superendentant of schools would come to answer legal questions, clarify that special needs kids could still get services through the schools, talk about how great homeschooled kids do on tests, etc. VERY supportive. ( no testing is required)

Also, HSed kids can talk a class at school or play on teams at school if they wish. The homeschooling community was very diverse -- from dresses only Christians to pagan to jews to catholics.

I'm very encouraged to hear this!! (We're really looking forward to our move and I'm getting tired of our monthly meetings with our mentor teacher from the charter school!)

[USAmma]

Originally Posted by Arduinna

AZ has one of the best laws concerning HS. You just file a notice of intent once.

Yes, and you can wait until the child is 8 before you have to do it!

Darshani

[nicholas_mom]

BTW, where are you in MD? I am from Maryland and depending on where you are could direct you to resources in your community for homeschoolers.

Mama_Kass....Do you mind if I step in here I live in Maryland and looking for more resources in my community for homeschoolers. I have an 19 month old son right now. I learning everything I can about homeschool and have specific questions about homeschooling in Maryland.

Thanks.....sorry to interupt.

Sorry, I fogot to state that I Live in Mount Airy Maryland, east of Frederick.

[moondiapers]

Originally Posted by Dar

The only way California could be easier would be if they didn't require anything at all... filing a short form once a year seems pretty good to me, compared to portfolios and testing and that sort of garbage.

Arizona was similarly easy, just notify,but they got the kids' names... California doesn't even get those.

Florida is comparatively difficult, really. I would never submit to an annual testing or portfolio, anyway.

Dar

Dar

California is pretty hard sometimes, because homeschooling isn't technically legal, homeschoolers have to register as private schools. This means you have to keep the same records that private schools are required to keep...and if the state wants to crack down they are fully within their rights to come to your facility and inspect your records. So there is a lot of potential for trouble. I don't keep any records until the fall after my children turn 6yo because that's the age here for complusory education. Because of my Ex I use an online virtual charter school with my dd, but I homeschool independantly with my ds who has a different father.

[Mylie]

I haven't read the whole thread yet so I hope I am not repeating...

Kentucky is pretty easy..All you have to do is send a letter of intent to your school. district every year.

Michigan is even easier...You don't have to do anything at all.


Hope this helps..

Love Mylie xx