Tip! There is a significant distinction between ?Homeschooling? and ?School-at-Home?. One of the concepts of homeschooling is that it carries out standard lessons and schoolwork at home, and ?home? definitely becomes a part of the schooling itself.

The legal ramifications of choosing to homeschool your child is heavily dependent upon which state you live in and how state and local authorities interpret the laws of compulsory attendance, private education and homeschooling. State officials may require some or all of the following: registration, a notice of intent to homeschool, regular progress evaluations, or advance approval prior to beginning to homeschool your child. State statute interpretation and enforcement often take a back seat the the statutes themselves.

Here are five tips to keep the homeschooling legal worries to a minimum and allow you to concentrate on your child’s education:

1. Be aware of your state’s statutes on homeschooling. Keep current copies of all applicable statutes in a safe place in your home for easy reference. Communicate with other parents who homeschool their children on a regular basis. Sign up with a state homeschooling organization that watches the regulations affecting homeschoolers and attend meetings as often as possible.

Tip! Know what your state’s law says. Read the applicable statutes for yourself, talk to other homeschoolers, and join a state homeschooling organization that monitors the regulations affecting homeschoolers.

2. Find out what difficulties exist with statute interpretations in your state. Contact other homeschooling parent who have dealt with these problems successfully. Make a plan with all available options to cope with known issues should you be confronted with them. Don’t wait until you have a problem before beginning to work on the solution.

3. Don’t assume that explanations of homeschooling legal issues are correct. Always investigate any possible concerns for yourself. Homeschooling laws are complex and definitive statements may leave out important information you should know.

Tip! Find out what difficulties exist with statute interpretations in your state. Contact other homeschooling parent who have dealt with these problems successfully.

4. Don’t allow concerns over legal issues keep you from the important business of educating your child. Most homeschooling parents only object to state requirements for documentation and testing because they interfere with the learning experience for their child. As long as you are meeting your state’s legal requirements, you shouldn’t have to change your approach to homeschooling for your child.

5. Be expressive about your homeschooling. Making homeschoolers visible in your community helps make homeschooling more acceptable to and supported by the public. As more parents choose to homeschool their children, communities nationwide may accept homeschooling as a fun, exciting and effective alternative to traditional public or private institutional style education.

Tip! Be aware of your state’s statutes on homeschooling. Keep current copies of all applicable statutes in a safe place in your home for easy reference.

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