ByParent's Guide on How To Get Started in Homeschooling
If the idea of becoming a homeschool parent sounds appealing, you’ve come to the right place. Our comprehensive guide on how to get started in homeschooling has all the information you need. We’ll walk you through the entire procedure—from enrollment to getting a diploma, one step at a time.
While the requirements vary from state to state, there’s plenty of common ground, especially in regards to administration. will get you out of bureaucratic nightmares—homeschool edition!
Educate Yourself on the Law
It’s important to familiarize yourself with the local homeschool laws. Each state regulates the practice differently, and some are more lenient towards homeschooling than others.
When researching how to get started in homeschooling, consider the following questions:
- Do you need to acquire a certificate to teach your child at home?
- Which school district do you belong to?
- What is the compulsory age of education in your state?
- Who should you notify about taking your child from school?
- When are you allowed to start homeschooling (beginning, middle, end, or whenever) during the school year?
- What is the cost of homeschooling, and does your state offer any financial aid to parents who homeschool?
- Should you keep a homeschool transcript and create a homeschool portfolio?
Keep in mind that regulations often change. To stay in the loop, it’s best to consult official resources in your state from time to time. For example, if you wanted to start homeschooling in Arizona, you’d visit the Arizona Department of Education website to get the information.
Research Different Teaching Methods
Most education experts agree that there are three main types of learners:
- Visual
- Auditory
- Kinesthetic
When figuring out the best way to homeschool your child, think about what type of learner they are. Pay attention to how they retain information and choose a teaching style based on that.
Homeschooled students can prosper in the right circumstances, so employing the appropriate teaching methods is vital. If you don’t feel like you should be the one to homeschool your child, you can hire someone else to do it.
Design a Curriculum and Create a Schedule
You need to start working on your curriculum long before (home)school is in session. Here’s what parents should consider when devising a lesson plan:
- Mandatory subjects to be incorporated in the program
- The child’s emotional and psychological disposition—if they suffer from anxiety, ADHD, or similar disorders
- Any possible learning disabilities— such as dyslexia, NVLD, and others)
- Scheduling—a minimum requirement of homeschool hours in the state, planning activities and school outings, etc.
- Religious upbringing—for example, how to design a curriculum for Christian children
Make it your goal to stick to the curriculum and homeschool schedule as close as you can during the first year. You can also consult a homeschool teacher to help you map out the lessons.
File a Letter of Intent To Homeschool
If you want to get started in homeschooling fast, you’ll need to master the paperwork. Parents who decide to teach their children independently have to formally declare their intent to homeschool.
The filing process can vary slightly for different states, but the steps below are pretty much the gist:
- Fill in a declaration of intent
- Print it out
- Get it notarized
- Send it to the district superintendent
You can get the document from:
- Your state’s Department of Education website
- State-supported homeschool organizations
- DoNotPay
The document’s mock-up is also specific to your place of residence. Most declarations of intent (or affidavits) require you to include the following:
| What To Include | Details |
|---|---|
| Information about the student | You’ll need to list the child’s name, age, and current address |
| Information about the parent/ guardian | It’s likely you’ll have to enclose your contact information and place of residence |
| Curriculum details | Some states require parents to submit their homeschool program along with the form. You’ll have to name the official supervisor (yourself or a homeschool teacher) and provide the lesson plan |
| Identification | You may have to provide a notarized copy of your child’s birth certificate. Depending on the state, you can send other documents as proof of identification |
| Other | In certain states, you have to provide evidence that you don’t have a criminal record |
How To Get Started in Homeschooling Fast—Try DoNotPay
Compiling a letter of intent to homeschool is how you’ll officially get started in homeschooling. Not only is it the first step, but it’s also an annual administrative requirement. If that sounds like a chore, try DoNotPay! The Notice of Intent to Homeschool product can create a declaration of intent in the blink of an eye.
Here’s how to do it:
- Find the Notice of Intent to Homeschool product and click on it
- Provide the necessary information about the school district you live in
- Answer questions about the student and yourself
You can use our other stellar product—Notarize Any Document, and save yourself the trip to the notary office. Feel free to entrust our robotic lawyer to forward the document to the district superintendent directly. DoNotPay is there to save your time.
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