Can you answer my questions, please?

Question

My daughter will be 3 in November and we are seriously considering home schooling her.
Ok here goes with my ?'s.
Do you get any sort of compensation or help from the government?
Do home schooled children qualify for college grants?
How many children are you allowed to teach at one time?
Really, I am curious to know anything you can tell me......
Thank you!

Answer 1

Good for you and your husband.
No, you do not get any compensation, or tax credit for educating your children at home.
Home school parents simply choose to direct the upbringing, and education of their children.

Yes, you still have to pay taxes for your local school district even though you choose not to use any of the services.
Conventional public schools are often referred to as government schools; home school like private school that do not receive any government funding have complete control over the content of the curriculum they use to educate their children.
This is a major plus of "not" receiving any compensation.

Home schooled children not only go to college, many even much sooner than their conventionally schooled counterparts; colleges actively recruit them for their maturity level, ability to be an independent student, and academic excellence.
http://www.nheri.org/

There is no limit on the total number of children you can home school as long as they are your own; natural, or adopted.
The only limit is the one you, and your husband depending on what you feel you can handle.
Remember that when they grow older they often help each other, this also gives them the skills of how to pass on information they have learned themselves, it's a pretty good snap shot of how they have learned the materials.

To be honest with you we could be here for another week telling you how it works from our point of view, but home schooling is not that easily explained since it is different for each family.
The basics of getting started are similar, but from there everything gets adjusted to your families schedule and routines, and most importantly your children's learning style.
http://www.nhen.org/

Since your daughter is still so young, I would just simply join a local home school support group, take part in the activities, and field trips they may offer, get to know the families, and establish friendships.
These families in turn can answer most questions you, and your husband may have, and help both of you get started.

Last but not least, I would go on the net, and find a home school convention in your state or a neighboring state.
This is where you will find a wide variety of workshops on home schooling, and other educational related issues.
Many home school curriculum, and educational vendors will be presenting their materials as well; this is a great way to see them before making a decision to purchase.

Conventions can be a wonderful way to learn about this alternative choice in education, and at the same time you will be amazed at how many families home school.

Some nice web sites to get started now are;

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Home.html
http://www.dltk-kids.com/coloring.htm
http://www.dltk-kids.com/
http://www.freeworksheets.com/
http://www.tlsbooks.com/kidspagearchive.htm
Good luck.

Answer 2

I was homeschooled with my 4 younger siblings through junior high. The laws vary in each state, so you'll have to look into your own state's laws. But homeschooled children can qualify for the same college grants that traditionally-schooled students do. In general, I've never heard of there being a limit to how many children you can teach at once. Many homeschoolers form co-ops with other families, and one mom will teach all of the kids English two days a week, and so on.

I don't think most homeschool parents can get any sort of compensation/help from the government, but once again, I'd check your state laws (I grew up in Texas).

Answer 3

I was homeschool the majority of my life, no you do not get compensation from the government, some children can qualify for certain grants by taking certain tests, I don't think there is a limit to how many children can be homeschooled, they just must be your own children.. Also, for each child to graduate a grade, you can either send in a year's worth of education proof (tests, paperwork, journals etc.) which is free, or you can pay about $40 and they can take a yearly test, if they pass with a 75% or more, they pass the grade and you send the results into the County Schoolboard. Homeschooling is great for a lot of kids, but if they refuse to do work, won't take the end of the year test or don't pass more then once, they will be forced back into public school, or private if you choose. Contact your County School Board for more info. Hope this helps, good luck!

Answer 4

Home schooling is subsidized by the government in Alberta Canada, but that's the only place I've ever encountered it.

Home schooled children have qualified for college grants, but they've gotta pass some tests SAT's or something with flying colours.

You're allowed to teach all of your own and do classes with other kids.

Answer 5

There are many different regulations in different states as to homeschool children. I know in Texas they are:

1.) Do a basic 5- subject curriculum.

No regulated tests, no nothing. No limits on how many children or anything like that. It differs by state.

Yes, homeschool kids qualify for college grants, if you mean can they compete for scholarships. They can compete just like any other kid can compete. Homeschooled children statistically score higher on their SAT's than any other style of education. So you're actually doing your kid a favor by homeschooling her (the right way). I was able to get accepted to several major schools, and I've been homeschooled all 12 years.


Find your local homeschool group... the mom's there will be able to give you tons of advice pertaining to your area and your child. They'll also be able to provide socialization opportunities as well.

Go for it!! You can do it!! Your child will thank you in the end! I know I'm so grateful for what my parents did!

Answer 6

As a HSing parent myself, I've got SOME answers for you:

No, usually you don't get any help from the government. They benefit MORE from your child being in their sub-standard schools than if you're homeschooling.

Not only do HSed kids qualify for most grants, colleges are ACTIVELY SEEKING homeschooled children for their reputations as being responsible, self-starters who tend to do well at a university.

All of your own children - have you heard of the Duggars? At last count, they have 17 children, and their mom homeschools all of them. In order to teach other people's kids, you'd need to check the laws in your state.

One important thing to do is check your state's government website. Where I live, it's not required to check in with any governmental official, some states require you to submit curriculum and attendance records to the school boards and things like that. Look on Yahoo! Groups for homeschoolers in your area, check out the HSLDA (homeschooling legal defense association) website (yahoo search does fine getting you there).

I made the decision to homeschool because we live in a 'bad area' of town, the schools are substandard, and kids grow up too quickly these days anyhow. My daughter is now 5 1/2, and instead of being at the end of her Kindergarden year, she's at the end of her 1st grade year (for every subject except math - she's in 2nd grade math now). It can be a tough journey, but it's so rewarding!

One question you'll get a LOT from everyone: what about socialization? To be honest, it's the only thing the naysayers have under their belt. My daughter's social calendar is busier than most other children's! Just check for local supporters in your area, you'll do fine. Enjoy your daughter!

Answer 7

Do you get any sort of compensation or help from the government? No, but there are charitiies that can help sometimes http://www.cvc.vipnet.org/cgi-bin/cvc-view.cgi?org_id=1a0610318254606bb00

Do home schooled children qualify for college grants? YES

How many children are you allowed to teach at one time? No limit if they are all yours

Answer 8

The only gov't help you may get is if your state has any sort of tax relief. In my state we get a state income tax deduction for homeschooling and other education expenses.

Some states allow virtual charter schools, which are public schools but parents are the primary teachers (with a certified teacher from the school to oversee). This is a form of "gov't HS funding" and many homeschool "purists" are against them. They can be great options for families.

Answer 9

Here goes with my answers ;-)
No
All the time
As many as you want

Alot depends on where you live, but most states don't require any type of mandatory education until six. I would go to HSLDA.org and get specific info for your state. I would also google "support groups homeschooling (your state)" and get in touch with people in your area.

Good luck,
We had our kids in public schools, and pulled them out. Homeschooling was best for us.

Answer 10

Each state has different laws.
I don't think there is any state that has laws that require 3 year olds to go to school.
Home school students do qualify for college grants.