| Is it legal to homeschool in Texas? YES! All Children between the ages of 6 and 17 must attend a public or private school. Under the Texas Education Code, Section 21.033, children are exempt from the requirements of compulsory attendance in a public school if they are attending a private or parochial school. According to Leeper v. Arlington in 1987, a home school is considered a private school in Texas if it meets the following criteria: One must be honestly and diligently home schooling. There must be a curriculum. It can come from any source and may include books, workbooks, video or computer instruction. Five Subjects Must Be Taught: - Reading - Math - Spelling - Grammar - Good Citizenship For more information, here is a great link to the Home School Legal Defense Association http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp?State=TX |
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| HEART's FAQ Frenquently Asked Questions |
| How do I get started? 1. Pray 2. Talk with your spouse and your child. 3. Determine your child's learning style and your teaching style. 4. Research curriculum choices. Don't just buy the first thing you find. Consider carefully if it will meet your family's needs both academically and financially. 5. If old enough, allow your child to have input in curriculum and scheduling choices. 6. Decide your schooling scedule. When are you going to "do school"? Morning? Afternoon? Five days a week? Four days a week? Year round? Four weeks on, one week off? Determine what schedule will work best for your family. 7. Decide where you will "do school". At desks in a designated schoolroom? At the kitchen table? On the couch? A combination of several different places depending on the subject and child being taught? Again, what will work best for your family? 8. Take a deep breath, Relax and open the books. 9. Enjoy your children! Enjoy your home! 10. Continue praying! |
| Do you have a homeschooling question? Ask us. Call 766-6790 or email us at homeschooling@heartofwt.org We're here to help! |
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| Why should I homeschool? Here are 50 Reasons, just to name a few 50 Reasons to Homeschool |
| Can I really homeschool? Here is a great, uplifting story about Homemade Bread to help encourage you. (P.S. It's not really about bread) |
| How do I choose a curriculum? This is probably the most difficult decision every home educator faces year after year. It is not a one time choice. And there really is not an easy answer. This is the area where you will simply need to buckle down and "do your homework". You are going to have to do a little research as to what you want to teach, how your child learns, and how much time you have to devote to preparing a lesson. You might start in our LINKS page. There are many good links to various curriculum providers. You might spend some time browsing at a store like Mardels that carries homeschooling curriculum. If time allows attend a curriculum or used curriculum sale and convention. This is great place to talk to the venders about how their programs and materials work. You might also find other homeschoolers and ask them what worked or didn't work for them. Once you do decide, remain flexible. If what you chose is not working, stop and look again. Don't keep using something that's not working. There are too many choice out there to keep using what doesn't work for your family. Re-evaluate and find something that does meet your needs and the needs of your children. Happy Hunting! |
| What about socialization? This seems to be the first question everyone asks when the subject of homescholing arises. To start with, what is SOCIALIZATION? It is the process by which a child learns to interact appropriately with others. Proper social behavior is not an instinctual knowledge with which children are born. It must be taught through either structured educating, observed experiences, practice or a little of all of the above. It is NOT learning to interact with individuals your same age. It is NOT learning to deal with a bully. Now as a parent you must answer the question, "Where, and from whom, do I want my child to learn this vital life skill?" Do 20-30 socially immature children in a classroom environment have the ability to teach a skill they themselves do not possess? Do you want to child to be able to interact with a wide range of peoples? Varying in ages, backgrounds and personalities? Then homeschooling is for you! Home Education parallels a work place environment and life in general more than any other form of education. And as for activities, I've never known a homeschooling family with a blank calendar. There is always plenty to do and places to go. Your child will meet and befriend other children. Your child will be able to form relationships. There are several good articles addressing this much asked questions. Here are links to just a few: Homeschooling and the myth of Socialization by Manfred B. Zysk No Thank you, We Don’t Believe in Socialization by Lisa Russell But What About The Prom? by Jackie Orsi |
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| "...God is the Strength of my HEART, and my Portion forever." Psalm 73:26 |
| Video Answers to many FAQ http://dexios.info/video_page.html This is a great page to get your own answers or even send the link to family and friends that are asking questions. |