Do You have to have a certificate for home schooling?

Question

I am asking because my daughter is thinking of home schooling her almost nine year old daughter. My granddaughter is ADHD, and she is taking some kind of medication for it, but the teachers still have trouble with her. Plus they move around a lot. They have been back and forth between New York State and Florida, over the past three years. Florida wants to put her back into the second grade again for the third time. My daughter is getting tired of it, but my granddaughter is also a trouble maker. She hits kids, got kicked off the bus, and almost kicked out of school, and only nine. When she puts her mind to it she is very smart, but because of having the adhd, she also uses that as an excuse. But doesn't the parent have to have some knowledge of what they are doing, before they start home schooling? Some kind of schooling themself. Some kind of training.I don't know the laws for what Florida asks for. So if someone could give me some clue for what they might need. Thank you for yourtime

I have no Idea why they move around so much. Besides moving from state to state, they have also moved from place to place down there. In a total of her nine years they have moved at least 10 to 15 times in Florida. I don't know if they can't pay their bills, or what it is. Right now they are living in a hotel or motel. I know it's rough on her, but my daughter does not want to hear anything bad about her husband at all, in any form. They say they are doing fine, and making good money(does roofing work), but if they are doing so great I ask then why do they never have money to stay in one place. We can't do very much to help, because my husband is disabled, and we are on a limited income ourselves. I agree that my granddaughter needs to stay in one place. She is on meds, and they are watching what she eats, as far as sweets are concerned, but I just don't know anymore. We aren't as close anymore. I try to help, but she doesn't want to hear me at all. She gets po'ed at me. Thanks you.

I have tried to explain that I only want what is good for them, but she thinks I'm against her, which I'm not. I think her husband has got her brain washed. They do go to church, butgod id god no matter what church, but it is the pentacostical(sp). I don't feel comfortable with that church. But they like it. My daughter is depressed also, and again try to give advice. She has gained so much weight, that her husband calls her Orca the killer whale. Which makes me mad, so I try not to ask about him at all when I call. This way my daughter and I can have a fairly decent talk. I just feel bad about the wole thing. I would like to have them around here more, but my husband also has high blood presure, and last time they were here is shot up to 162 over 90, which is high, and it took quite awhile to get it down. That's why can't have them here. Just too much. I would love to have my granddaughter in one place, which I know would help her out, to stay stable. Thank you for your concern, help

Answer 1

No, parents don't need any training or certification to homeschool, that's the beauty of it. But each state does have some requirements. Here's a link directly to FL laws for homeschooling, I was going to type it for you, but it's long. It shows two different options she has. Go through this site for more help, and I strongly recommend she become a member of HSLDA. They provide legal protection for her should she be questioned. Here's your link, and tell her good luck. It truly is the BEST thing she can do for her daughter!
http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp?State=FL


WELL, I CAME BACK ON TO EDIT MY ANSWER, BUT AFTER READING YOUR UPDATE, IT REALLY ISN'T RELEVANT. JUST FOR THE SAKE OF READERS, THERE ARE SOME STATES THAT DO REQUIRE CERTIFICATION, TN IS ONE. BUT, NOT THAT YOU'VE GIVEN SOME MORE INFO, IT DOESN'T REALLY SOUND LIKE IT'S IN YOUR GRANDDAUGHTER'S BEST INTEREST IN THIS SITUATION TO BE HOMESCHOOLED. TRUE, IT WOULD GIVE HER SOME STABILITY IN A HECTIC LIFESTYLE OF CHANGING SCHOOLS, BUT BEING AT HOME ALL THE TIME, WITH A DAD LIKE THAT, ISN'T GOOD. I'LL CONTACT YOU PERSONALLY, BUT JUST KNOW, I FEEL FOR YOUR SITUATION. THAT MUST BE AN EXTREMELY TOUGH PLACE TO BE IN, TO CARE SO MUCH FOR YOUR FAMILY, AND HAVE THEM NOT TAKING YOUR ADVICE, AND SEEING THEM MAKE SOME POTENTIALLY BAD DECISIONS. I HOPE SOMETHING WORKS OUT FOR YOU.

Answer 2

Home schooling because a student is a trouble maker in school isn't really a good solution. The student needs to learn how to get along with other people, in or out of school, how to accept discipline and direction (which they'll need when they get into the job market) and a dozen other reasons.
An unschooled person can do home schooling, as most school boards have a special branch for home schooling that provides support for the home schooled student, giving study materials, administering exams, offering computer backup etc. But in your daughter's case, it sounds as though there are a number of other problems to be addressed first. Otherwise, life is going to be a series of arguments between your daughter and your granddaughter.
There are schools with special education centers for ADHD students, but that option is not provided by home schooling.
Why does your daughter move so much? That could be a clue as to why your granddaughter is so rebellious in school. Being constantly uprooted and shuttled back and forth can be very upsetting for a child, especially an ADHD child, as they thrive on routine.
If you really want to pursue this, get in touch with the local school board where your daughter will be living, and find out what they offer and what their requirements are.

Answer 3

Your granddaughter needs serious psychological help and she needs a stable home environment. Florida has some wonderful programs. Are you sure your daughter has her involved in all the special needs programs? Has she had her diagnosed and does she have an individual educational plan for her daughter? Don't wait until it's too late. Also, what type of food is she eating? Junk? That's a big reason ADHD'ers do so poorly. They crave sugar and soda. Mom needs to set limits and get some parental training through CHADD. Children and Adults of Attention Deficient Disorder. Check the sites below: Florida Education Department and CHADD.

Answer 4

www.connectionsacademy.com is a good site to check out for homeschooling in Florida. I am in Missouri and here you don't need any sort of training or schooling to homeschool your own children but you must document your time and the state can come in and check. When and if you reenter them into the public schools, you must have them tested and then they are put in the grade that they qualify for--not necessarily where you have evaluated them.
I would look into some alternative remedies for the ADHD because she may find out that her daughter is more than she can handle behavior wise once she tries to be her teacher and her mother.

Answer 5

My siblings are all like your grand daughter. We home schooled them for a time. I don't know how spiritual your family is, but we used the cirriculum alphaomega. Look them up.
All your daughter has to do is give her school a letter stating that she will be homeschooled for x amount of time.
Also, query for some homeschool support groups around her area.. Those are a huge help, and not to mention a huge lifesaver when you're stuck on a subject.

Answer 6

Regretfully, she does not have to have a degree. She must let the school system know she is homeschooling your granddaughter and they will give her the guidelines. I hope your daughter reconsiders and stays put in one place. That is one of the first things to do for this child, and she should be seeing a counselor on a regular basis.

Answer 7

In Florida, the parent does not have to have a certificate. I home school my children. It is a task and a privilege. I do not live in Florida but just did a quick search and found the answer for you.

Answer 8

HSLDA.org will tell you the legal requirements for Florida or any other state, as well as info on homeschooling in general.