Lesson 1: Could I...Should I...How Would I?
Is This Legal?
Before you can begin homeschooling, you need information. You need to know the laws, and you need to know how homeschooling works. You may also need to find out more about your child’s disability. How much knowledge is essential and where can you locate it?
The first step is to find out what laws you have to obey. It is generally best to obey them, but don’t get overwhelmed. Often the laws are written to look harder than they really are. Are you required to teach twelve subjects? Don’t teach them every day. Combine them and teach some of them as units. The best place on the net to find laws and support is Anne Zeis’ Homeschooling A to Z site. This is probably the most extensive list of resources anywhere on the internet, so plan an afternoon to explore. But begin here: Regional Resources. This has lists of support groups and web pages with laws for every state and many countries. You should also call your school district, county schools office, and state board of education in that order until someone sends you the official laws. Be prepared for a long search. We move often and in one state, they put the custodian on the telephone to help me--he was a homeschooling dad and the only person at the state board of education who knew anything about homeschooling! Homeschooling is legal in every state and in most countries. However, there are sometimes rules as to who can homeschool and special rules pertaining to children who have been enrolled in school as special education students. Laws are changing rapidly, so be sure you have the most current version. In addition, parents are sometimes told they are not allowed to homeschool special education children, so you must come with the laws in hand. (No state that I’m aware of bars parents of disabled children from homeschooling.)
Parents of special needs children must be especially careful to look at the homeschooling laws. Ask local disability groups and homeschool support groups what special laws govern the homeschooling of special needs children. The laws pertaining to the education of special needs children have recently been rewritten and many states are now interpreting the law to mean that they no longer have to provide services to homeschoolers. Sometimes whining loudly can help you become the exception, but try hard to whine nicely. I’ve learned that being sweet gets you further than being angry.
Visit Iser to learn about special education resources by state. While these are not specific to homeschooling, many of the organizations will be able to help you locate help. National Home Education Network has valuable information on homeschooling special needs children, including how to access services, how to meet the special requirements sometimes leveled at parents of special needs children, and where to find support and advocacy.
Much information is available on the internet, but not all of it is trustworthy. Be sure to evaluate a site carefully, and always go to the actual law before deciding what to do. Then practice quoting and explaining the laws for your state.
Assignment: Find out what laws pertain to homeschooling your child. Contact a local support group for help with interpreting the laws. Practice explaining the law clearly and unemotionally.
