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The Choice To Homeschool: A Quick Primer For Black Families

© Jennifer James

A new movement is brewing in the African-American community and it is inciting scores of families across the country to make the transition to home education or consider it as the first educational option for their pre-kindergarten children. Citing cultural, educational, religious as well as social reasons, thousands of African-American parents are fast becoming their children's primary teacher.

Quite to the surprise of many African-American families across the country, homeschooling is not and really has never been an option exclusively intended for middle class, White families. In fact, home education has and is being embraced by scores of different races as well as by families who represent varying socioeconomic classes. Given that, what are the ways that Black families can learn more about home education and how can they start the process?

Here are five steps to becoming a home school parent.

1.Read! Read! Read! Becoming a homeschooling parent demands more than simply having an intense desire to be a part of a growing movement and educational trend. Rather, deciding to homeschool requires educating yourself about the possible challenges and triumphs of such an educational endeavor where you will be solely responsible for your child's education. It is imperative, therefore, for any parent contemplating home education to read as much as possible about homeschooling before making any final decisions.

The Internet houses the most and the best homeschooling information and proves to be a great starting place for gathering general information. Peruse homeschool websites and message boards and glean some initial ideas about what homeschooling entails. Message boards are especially helpful because you are able to learn about home schooling right from the mouths of both veteran and novice home school families alike. Type in "homeschooling" in any search engine and you will find literally thousands of online resources to browse. For a more in-depth analysis of home education, there are tons of homeschool "how-to" books on the market as well as a variety of home school magazines that concentrate on current issues and trends in the national homeschooling community.

Also, make sure to read and find out about your state's homeschool laws. Although homeschooling is legal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, homeschool laws do vary, so it is your job to find out what your state's laws require and be prepared to comply fully with them.

2.Discuss. In addition to discussing and coming to an agreed-upon decision to homeschool with your spouse, mate, significant other or by yourself, you should also discuss your plans with your children. If you are a single parent, discuss your decision to homeschool with family or with those who are close to you. Single parent homeschooling requires having a solid network of friends and family to help you in your choice to homeschool. So make sure that everyone has the same goals in mind for the optimal education of your children.