How do you start home schooling your children in Wisconsin?

Question

I have a 14 year old autistic son who is having major problems in school with children picking on him so I have decided to home school him. I need to know where to get the info for home schooling in Wisconsin. I need this ASAP. My son had a major melt down at school yesterday and he had to be taken away by the police for the safety of the other children. This is very serious! I don't want to see anyone get hurt or him put into an institution. Please send any info you have.
Thanks!

Answer 1

I would go to www.hslda.com and check out information for your state. You can get information about laws for your state as well as support groups.

Answer 2

The first thing you need to do is find out what the homeschooling laws are in WI. HS'ing is legal in all 50 states, but each state makes their own rules. DO NOT go to the school, school board, or dept. of ed. Many local school districts are not fully informed of the requirements and may give you misinformation that could put you in jeopardy. Go to the HSLDA website and check out their overview of laws for Wisconsin. From their website, there is a link to the WI Christian Home Educators Assoc.

Next, determine your educational philosphy/method and your child's learning style. For more on the various philosophies (classical, unit studies, unschooling, etc.), check out, "Mary Pride's Complete Guide to Getting Started in Homeschooling" These are important as they will help you narrow your curriculum choices, which is the next step -

Choose your curriculum. Once you know HOW you plan to school, this is where you determine WHAT you will use to achieve that purpose. There are literally thousands of items available, so knowing HOW you want to teach really comes in handy. For curriculum reviews, check out Cathy Duffy's, "100 Top Picks for Homeschooling" and her website. When you're ready to buy, check out Rainbow Resource Center - they have a HUGE selection and usually have the best prices.

It's also important to get involved with other homeschoolers in your area (both for you and your child) either through a support group or co-op. These are invaluable when it comes to looking at/for curriculum, dealing with _______ (in-laws, the school district, nosy neighbors, ...), field trips, game/park days, team activities, ... the list is endless.

Finally, when you take your son out, don't feel like you kave to begin school immediately. Give him a month (two or three is better) to de-compress from the public schools. Also, don't feel compelled to re-create public school at home (after all, if the public school is failing your son, why would you want to?)

If you need clarification or further info, feel free to email me. Best wishes.

Answer 3

The following link is for homeschoolers in Wisconsin. It includes contact information for several counties and communities and has a link for a homeschooling magazine that may be of big help to you.

I hope this will be a good opportunity for you and your son to make learning the pleasure it should be for a child.

Answer 4

HOME SCHOOLING.

http://www.homeschool.com/

http://www.hslda.org

http://www.homefires.com/

Homeschool.com also has the following information available free of charge:

http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/index.html

http://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/

http://www.home-schooling-advice.net/

http://www.canteach.ca/links/linkhomeschool.html

http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi

http://www.teachnlearn.org/index.htm

http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/articles/TeacherZone.asp

http://www.highlightskids.com/

http://www.youcanhomeschool.org/starthere/default.asp

http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/

http://www.channel4.com/learning/microsites/H/homeworkhigh/

http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/kids/

http://www.home-school.com/groups/

Good luck.

Kevin, Liverpool, England.