Considering Homeschooling-whats the Process?

Here is a website that I think would be helpful for you!

http://www.omahahen.org/.

I am not sure if you are in the Omaha area or not but they are having a New Homeschooler Orientation Meeting. Here is the information on it...

Monday, March 8th 6:30-8:30pm
Gretna City Hall
204 N. McKenna Ave.
Gretna, NE 68028

Hope that helps! Good for you for considering homeschooling!

1 mom found this helpful

Start by going to the HSLDA website to locate information on your specific state's requirements for homeschooling. You can find HSLDA at www.hslda.org. You do not have to join this organization to homeschool, but it is highly advisable, as being a member ensures you will have legal representation (a qualified lawyer and/or educational expert) if you should need it.

While homeschooling is now widely accepted practice in most states, there are pockets of school districts/superintendents that are either non-supportive or unaware of homeschooler rights, and sometimes parents will run into snags as they attempt to file required paper work and testing, immunization records (this includes waivers if you choose not to immunize), and more. Laws are constantly changing, and its very helpful to have this organization as a resource. I can honestly say, there is no way I'd be able to stay ontop of things issue wise in my state without getting notified by this organization.

The site also lists accredited homeschooling curriculum, resources and when homeschool educational fairs and seminars are in your area. You can also find a homeschool co-op or parent support group through the site as well. Members also receive discounts on curriculum etc. purchased through their site.

If membership is too costly for you (there are many payment options), their website is free and you can sign up for their monthly e-newsletter which will update you as to any changes in laws or issues you need to be aware of in your state as well as across the country.

Regionally speaking, most states have a non-profit homeschool organization, and many even have two (a secular group and a religious based group). I have found one link that lists several great resources in your state: http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/regional/Nebraska.htm. Of what I found there, this sounds like a great place to start. It sounds like they have regular getting started workshops. Going to something like this will get the ball rolling for you. Everything else should fall into place. Most importantly, you'll find a co-op in your area.

Co-op is soo important. This is where you'll meet other families in your neighborhood who also homeschool. You'll be able to go on field trips, pool resources, share classes/tutors, learn about homeschool programs at your local museums, libraries etc. and have play/study dates for your kids. Click here to learn more about your state's summer education conference:

http://www.omahahen.org/

You should also know about this whopping huge homeschool conference being held in Cinncinatti this year. While there are many regional conferences all over, all the time, this particular conference is going to be good one...and is expected to draw homeschoolers from across the country. Check out: http://www.cincinnatihomeschoolconvention.com/

Lastly, some commented on accreditation being an issue when your children approach graduation. There are so many options on "how" to educate your children. This is a personal choice for both the parent and student. Keep in mind, most parents choose to homeschool because traditional schooling wasn't working for their child. A big benefit of homeschooling is that parents are able to tailor subjects to their child's learning style, and their own teaching abilities. Best of all, many programs (especially those online) have teacher support. Secondly, what resources work best for the parent in presenting the materials. Just do what works for you both and it will work out fine.

And contrary to what one poster says about not being able to go to any college they wanted to because they only had a GED etc., It is unfortunate that happend to them, but not necessarily the norm for most homeschoolers. I know plenty of kids who have been accepted by major Universities, the military and more with no problems or required community college beforehand. I suspect she didn't have good guidance in preparation for graduation and perhaps didn't know what her state's accrediting or testing requirements were, or where to find colleges (many good ones!) that are homeschooling friendly etc. This is why it is so important to find a co-op and join an organization that supports homeschooling parent's efforts. You will find the necessary resources to get a quality education. You just have to know where to look and do a little homework.

If this is a concern, I'd strongly recommend that you use a "prepackaged" curriculum that is accredited in your state. Or find a homeschool accrediting agency in your area to guide you as you choose curriculum that you design yourself. Most of the larger curriculum companies will let you know if they are accredited in your state. Here is a link below on this particular topic to give you some insight. Just remember, unless your state requires accrediting, it is not necessary. And many good post secondary schools are eager for homeschoolers, accredited or not. Just be aware, that during the middle school years, you and your children will need to start researching where they'd like to go after graduation, and start preparation then, so they are taking the right tests, etc. See this link, and good luck!

http://eho.org/homeschool_prep/article.asp?articleid=240&...

1 mom found this helpful

I would start by contacting the Nebraska Department of Education. Each state has different requirements, but most I believe have paperwork that will need to be submitted by a certain date to indicate that you are educating at home, a required number of hours of instruction, and certain tests that the children will need to take at different times. You may need to prove a required level of education to qualify to be their teacher. Again, states have different rules (Minnesota is quite stringent, Illinois has almost no requirements, for example).

1 mom found this helpful

i started homeschooling my daughter this year (7th grade) and am very glad i did. check with the local school system to see if they have a home school assistance program. mine does and they have a resource room of various homeschool curriculum items that i can check out. saves a bunch of money. there are also a million websites to order from. it depends if you're looking for christian-based material. schools can't carry that but there's alot to be found! i would suggest using course selections from different sources til you find what you like. each child learns different also. try www.learningthings.com. they carry many programs and you just order what you want from each instead of all abeka or saxon or whatever. i am in iowa and each state is different so definitely check your local laws. also, consider dual-enrolling with the school so they have the option of joining sports, music, etc. i could even put my daughter in a class i don't want to teach if i want to, like math or whatever. i could go on and on so if you need more info just let me know. good luck!

S. m

1 mom found this helpful

Go to your states education website. IN NC we have to let the state know we are homeschooling by filling out some official paperwork.
I use the book The Well Educated Mind by Susan Wise Bauer. It outlines everything to do and which days to do it and times from pre-K to senior year. It also gives suggestions on curriulums to use.
This website gives legal advice by state.
http://www.hslda.org/Default.asp?bhcp=1
Hoeschooling is a huge commitment. Mine are in 3rd and 6th. I have my 6th grader taking an online science course right now.
Good Luck!!

1 mom found this helpful

I live in MN, so I can't completely help with the process that Nebraska requires, but look for a group in your state/area that can guide you. In MN we have an organization called MACHE (MN Assoc of Christian Home Educators.) If you can't find a large organization like this, look for a homeschool co-op, a group of parents who are already doing this that can help you work through the process. I would start by doing a web search. IF that doesn't help, call local churches and see if they have/know of a homeschool co-op. If you want to talk more, feel free to email me. I am by no means an expert, but would love to help you on your journey. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

Hi,
I have been homeschooling my son his whole life, he is currently in tenth grade. I also lead a homeschool group. I live in Michigan. check into this homeschool e-mail list, it's one of the best out there and ask them. The Home Education Mailing List <____@____.com> I don't know the current regulations for Nebraska.
Best of luck,
S.
feel free to contact me at ____@____.com if you like for more tips.

Updated

Hi again,
Just to add a bit after the last post about not homeschooling. Many children do not homeschool highschool and you can get scholarships even if you homeschool. It's pretty early in the game yet to worry about it at this point. More and more colleges are accepting homeschool transcripts. I'm sorry for the gal that missed out but I'm glad it's better now for us homeschoolers.
S.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi B.,
I work for Alpha Omega Academy which is a Homeschool curriculum. We are located in Iowa. You have a couple choices when going through us. You can purchase curriculum on your own and home school your students on your own, or you can register with the Academy. In the Academy you will get assign an Academy Service Rep. We will get the curriculum sent out that you need, the plus side is that we do all the grading and record keeping for you. When your student is ready to graduate they can graduate through us. They have a graduation ceremony and they will receive a diploma as well. We do have other students that go to the Academy that are from Nebraska. I know i haven't given you a whole lot to go off of but if it sounds at all interesting you may call and speak to one of our enrollment specialist. Call 1-800-682-7396 and just ask to speak to an enrollment specialist, they will give you all the answers you need.
T.

1 mom found this helpful

Oh please don't do that! Leave them in school, unless there is something endangering them there, of course. Take it from me... I was homeschooled. I attended public school until high school. It was one of the biggest mistakes of my life! I thought it would be fun. Some of my friends were doing it to graduate early, etc. So I begged my parents to let me. What a mistake. I could have been Valedictorian. I could have gotten a scholarship to any university I'd have wanted to go to. But what actually happened? Afterward, come to find out, homeschooling was not accredited in the state I live in, though I think it may be now. So I ended up having to get my GED after all was said and done. It's something that embarrasses me to this day. (I'm 26 now.) And no scholarships, meant I went to community college. Don't deprive your children of the opportunity to have a better future.

http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/laws/blNE.htm

http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/regional/Nebraska.htm

http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/extras/Search.htm?cx=...

every state has different rules and requirements in regard to home-schooling so I would look for a nebraska based parent organization and also a list of applicable laws. Your local library or a web search may be able to help you. Also look for a local home school network so that you can find others in your area. Are you unhappy with the public school system in your area or have you always wanted to home school? Perhaps if the transition for your daughter is not going smoothly and she is unhappy, you should talk to the teacher or the counselor and try to uncover or solve the problem.