I had planned to do home schooling, but when mum asked the principal, she said no!?

Question

I get bullied everyday at school, and I'm always feeling upset when I come hom from school, so my family agreed to home school me. When mum rang up my school to see if it was alright, the principal said no - now what can I do?

Answer 1

From your use of "mum", it sounds like you're either in the UK or Australia? I'm guessing here, but here are some resources for you:

In the UK:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200203/cmhansrd/vo030513/halltext/30513h05.htm
http://www.nhen.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=508
http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/regional/UK.htm
There are a lot of great sites in this last link. From what I've read, your principal can't stop you - while education is compulsory in the UK, school attendance is not. You have to be able to prove that you're keeping up with standards, but other than that, there's nothing (apparently) that your principal can do.

In Australia:
http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/regional/Australia.htm
http://www.educationchoices.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=273&Itemid=43
It looks like Australian law is more strict on this - if you're in Australia, apparently you do need to get permission, or choose not to comply with the regulations. It looks like there are people who do both.

If you are in the states, you do not need to receive permission from your school, you simply need to notify the district and comply with your state laws, which can be found here:
http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/default.asp

Hope that helps! If you're in a country I didn't list, please let us know and I'm sure someone will track down the info for you. Good luck!

Edit - John, where do you get those things? I can assure you that homeschooled kids certainly get social interaction, and plenty of it; my son would beg to differ with you. On average, according to research stats, homeschooled kids often prove to be more socially adept than their classroom counterparts. Check the studies, not the stereotypes.

Also, quite frankly, what school is going to do anything about a bully? They exist all over, and the schools are overburdened as it is...if they can't do much about kids groping each other in the halls, coming to school stoned, and bringing weapons to school, why would you think they'd bother with bullies? It would be nice, but it just doesn't happen that way anymore.

Answer 2

Hi Sarah...I'm assuming you're in australia as I found your question when I clicked on the tab that says "show australian questions only". I'm 14, also in Oz and am home schooled.

Firstly, don't worry that the principal said you can't home school. That's nonsense and prolly stems from her not wanting you to leave her school cuz she doesn't wanna lose the money she gets on your behalf. You can legally home school in *ALL* States and Territories.

Secondly, don't know which State you're in but I wouldn't get too hung up on the letter of the law either (remember: this is australia we're talking about here! lol!). I think Qld has a law that governs what you're supposed to do as a home schooler but there are also plenty of home schooling families in Qld who get around those laws by simply not telling the dept that they're home schooling...with the tacit approval of the same education authorities.

Thirdly, have you and your mum thought of looking into distance education? If you're being bullied, your local SDE may accept you even if you live slapbang in middle of the city.

Finally, check out the Home Education Association (Australia)'s website: www.hea.asn.au for more tips and guidelines on getting going.

Hannah

Answer 3

I'm guessing you're not in the US. Sounds like you're in the UK. Here's what HSLDA had to say about homeschooling in the UK:

Homeschooling is legal in England and Wales under the 1944 Education Act, which was consolidated in 1996. Section 7, Education Act 1996 states, "…[E]fficient full-time education, suitable to his age, ability and aptitude and to any special education needs he may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise." Under the "or otherwise" phrase in the law, families can legally homeschool.

There are no requirements to inform the authorities when one is home educating, unless the student was previously enrolled in the government school system. At that time, the parent must let the school official know they are withdrawing their student to home educate him. No other requirements for home education exist.

Hope this is helpful. For more (and probably better than Y!A) information, try to find a homeschooling support group or co-op near you and talk to the folks there.

Answer 4

You didn't say what State you were in. Get on your State Home school website and see what the laws are for your State about homeschooling. In the State of Illinois, all I have to do to home school is to send a letter to the school specifying that I am withdrawing my student from school and that I will be homeschooling and that's all! It could just be that easy! Good Luck! Home-schooling is better for many reasons. I have an adhd child that is having a rough time with his peers and I have to wait another year until we adopt so that I can legally home school which I plan on doing!

Answer 5

Depends on where you are and what the laws are. You have to research your areas Department of Education site and look at the state or national laws.

Every state in the US allows it, but not all countries in the world allow it.

If you're in the US pay a lawyer $50 to send a letter to the principal with a copy to the superintendent of schools. That will end the issue and possibly the principals career goals.

Answer 6

Check out http://www.HSLDA.org . They have laws regarding homeschooling for every state, and numerous other countries.

The school district is rarely going to give correct information about homeschooling. I highly doubt the principal can make that decision for your parents, but I am in America and I know our rights/freedoms/laws vary from yours.

I am sorry you have to have this experience at school.

Answer 7

In America you don't need the schools permission. She needs to have a school course for you to follow and there are many home schooling groups to join. She should contact a home schooling group near you and find out what she can do.

Answer 8

There is no place in the US that you cannot homeschool, those some states might have more regulations regarding it then others. Additionally, it is typically up to your local BOE as to your homeschooling qualifications and requirements, not your principal.

The chart on this page should help you get started:
http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp
It lists all the states and their basic requirements, and you can click the state names below it to get more details.

Best of luck to you!

Addendum: I didn't not realize you were from Oz, sry! Try this instead:
http://www.homeschool.co.uk/regional/regional-homeschooling-information-australia.html

Answer 9

I'm not sure about how it works in Australia. You'll need to search around a bit for information. Here are some links to start with:
http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/regional/Australia.htm
http://homeschoolaustralia.beverleypaine.com/
http://www.homeschool.co.uk/regional/regional-homeschooling-information-australia.html

Answer 10

The principal is going to say no. The school gets grants according how many students are enrolled in the school. They receive a dollar amount for each student. More students more money; less students less money.

Home schooling has it's drawbacks. The pupil does not have any social contact with other students.

If you are getting bullied, have your mother (better still, have a lawyer write it for her and send it on her behalf) write a letter to the school with the names of the pupils involved with the bullying. Have a copy sent to the local authorities, schoolboard (parent teacher association) and local politicians. This should get some results, schools do not like having this type of thing broadcast to other municipal departments.

Make sure that the facts are correct and provable. Be aware! There will be repercussions, you will have to prove what and who you are accusing.

I do know what it is like to be bullied. It was commonplaced 50 years ago and schools did nothing about it unless someone got seriously hurt ( I do not mean black eyes or even a broken arm).

Good Luck