i am interested in home schooling my children....?

In Missouri, the laws are quite easy to work with. You can find a lot of information here http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/MO/default.asp and here http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp?State=MO . Basically, you just pull your kids out (notify the school district so a truancy officer doesn't show up at your doorstep) and start homeschooling.

You have to homeschool a minimum of 1,000 hours per year, 600 of which have to be in the core subjects, and 400 of those have to be at the "primary homeschool location". Basically, you have to make the commitment to actually school your kids. :-)

The 1,000 hours a year is pretty easy to meet; my 5th grader exceeds that easily. (I'm in OK.) You do have to keep written records of time spent, evaluations (pretty open-ended, that could mean the tests that come with their curriculum), samples of their work (again, easy to do - just put samples of their work in a folder or portfolio each month), and records of their activities (lessons, Scouts, sports, etc.) There are software products (Homeschool Tracker, Edu-Track, etc.) that can pretty much do this for you, except for the sample portfolio. You just type in the info and it formats it all for you.

There are no special qualifications, you don't have to get permission, and your child does not have to do standardized testing if you choose not to. You are also not tied down to any specific method of homeschooling - you can do what is best for your children.

I highly suggest you get in touch with a homeschooling group or two in your area; just google the name of your city or county and "homeschool group". There will be moms in that group that can answer specific questions, help you with schedule and curriculum questions, and the group will likely offer co op classes for your high schooler(s) and social opportunities for all your kids (game nights, lessons, field trips, volunteer opps, etc).

I hope this helps - please let us know if you have any other questions!

You and I are in the same boat with the small budget thing. There is no test that you have to take in order to home school your child. I'm in my second year of home schooling and, so far, this is what I have done. I go to Walmart, buy their workbooks, flash cards, etc. I submit (with grade 1 and up) the proposed curriculum for that year: math, reading, grammar, social studies, etc. to the school district, they send a letter letting me know that everything has been approved and that my child is 'excused from attendence' for the school year. As for those people who believe home schooled children have no social interaction, that is entirely untrue and unfounded. We have a group which meets every Wednesday for a play date and once a month, we have a big field trip. The kids love it, it gives us a breather in the middle of the week, and there isn't one child who doesn't interact with the others. Also, these children are well-adjusted and have a higher acceptance rate into colleges across the country. Socially, the older children (jr-sr high school ages) have dances, parties, and even a prom. They miss out on nothing except peer pressure, bad influences at 'regular' school, and the chance to be shot, stabbed, raped, or abused by their classmates. How can any child learn in that sort of environment? I applaud and encourage you in your choice to home school. Be proud! You and your child are going to have the best times, be closer to each other than most other parents and children, and you will both find this a wonderful experience. Keep it up!!! (as for those who frown on home schooling, don't knock it till you've tried it.)

Personally we love homeschooling-- we love the freedom, the kids love how they are learning, there are so many more fun and social activities to do as homeschoolers than they would ever be able to do in public schools, like taking 4 or 5 group field trips per month or taking classes like video game programming.

Check out the hslda.org website for your state laws. I don't think you have to send notification in MO or get evaluations, but you do have to keep some records and fulfill some required hours (which is easy, because there is so much to do in a day that is educational-- from cooking together (home ec) to watching Mythbusters (science, educational film) to spending the day at the museum (field trip) that required hours can be filled quickly.

As for where to begin, try this article. Maybe it will help you:

http://heartandhomeschool.googlepages.com/first5th...

I would first look up the law's for your state. Look at HSLDA site for the laws. Here is the link I found for you to see the laws http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp?State=MO . Then from what I hear from other homeschoolers that have pulled their kids out of the PS system (don't take my word though because mine I have homeschooled from the beginning so I could be wrong) you should deschool them first. Which means at first just have them and you get used to them being home and destress from being in the PS and to slowly introduce them to doing homeschool (remember homeschooling is not schooling at home it's different) in the mean time you can find out their interest and find things for them to do with that. This is also a great time to find out how they learn and how you learn. Every child is different and learns differently. This will also help you to realize what kind of teacher you are. There is a lot of resources and curriculum out there so do a google search and find what best fits you and your family. Good luck with homeschooling and remember too the first year is the hardest so just take it easy and get to know one another first.

Homeschooling's been a lot of fun for us; we pulled our kids from public school nearly three years ago and have not looked back. I have a 6yo, a 10yo, and a 12yo -- Welcome!

First, get very familiar with Missouri's LAWS. The best general source of information comes from the following site (which, BTW, is also the site for a great magazine for home educators):

http://www.homeedmag.com/lawregs/missouri.html

Next, you can contact one of these SUPPORT GROUPS, which may or may not be near you, but they will at least be familiar with Missouri's laws and can help you navigate them more easily than most of us can, especially if you are considering a mid-year pullout as Missouri has some specific record-keeping laws you'll need to follow:

http://homeedmag.com/groups/missouri.html

Then, while you are getting your letter of intent to homeschool together, you can start looking at your schooling options. Check out homeschooling books at your local library; libraries LOVE homeschoolers! We often leave our library with basketsfull of books, we volunteer there, and my daughter has been allowed to use their display case to display her various projects she's worked on.

I've provided linkage below to a couple of good books: Teach Your Own, by John Holt and Creative Homeschooling, by Lisa Rivero -- who also happens to have another homeschooling book out this month; keep an eye out for it!

Lastly, look to online groups (there are lots of them) and resources for help, support, and answers to your questions. Email me if you like... Good luck!

Oh, I almost forgot. A great book for your highschooler would be The Teenage Liberation Handbook by Grace Llewellyn.

:o)

Don't do it, you will handicap your children for life. Homeschooled kids have significant trouble adjusting to social situations compared to their peers, especially among those homeschooled upto university years. Before you do it, ask yourself the following questions:

Do I have any expertise in teaching the material?

If you have no teaching experience, DON'T TEACH

Why do I want my kids to be home schooled? If its for religious reasons, DON'T HOME SCHOOL THEM. It's not the school's job to teach religion. That should be done privately. If you think the school is lousy, then try to suppliment your child's education outside of the classroom.

Do I want to keep my kids safe from bullies? Bullies exist everywhere, in all walks of life. Avoiding the problem won't make it go away - in fact it will make their reaction worse when they meet one.

Can I live with them not experiencing typical American life? Whether or not the person actually likes them, there are events and occurences that happen to everyone in every school, it makes us who we are. It will be exceedingly difficult for your child to relate to anyone who has had these experiences if you home school them.

Can you provide enough physical activity? Schools, even bad ones, have gyms for recess, sporting teams, etc. Can you provide enough physical activity and variety to keep them from getting bored or fat?

A lot of people have given you answers to how to get started. Just don't listen to the naysayers, they don't know anything about homeschooling.

Here are some resource links:

http://www.homeschooldiscount.com/

http://www.rainbowresource.com/

http://www.aop.com/

http://www.abeka.com/

all i can say is go for it!!! im 25 and started homeschooling my son who is 7 ....at first its daunting, but it is the best choice i ever made!! use the internet, there is a wealth of info waiting for u!!!!!!!!!

well sometimes homeschooing your children can be hard because they can be like mom do we have to do it right now

Legal Option:

Operate a home school

Attendance:

1,000 hours per year; at least 600 hours in the five required subjects; 400 of these 600 hours must occur at "the regular home school location"

Subjects:

Reading, math, social studies, language arts, and science

Qualifications:

None

Notice:

None required

Recordkeeping:

Maintain records of subjects taught, activities engaged in, samples of the child's academic work and evaluations or a credible equivalent, and a written log showing the hours required under "attendance"

Testing:

None

Home Schooling in the United States:

A Legal Analysis

2007-2008 Edition

MISSOURI

Compulsory Attendance Ages: “between the ages of 7 and 16 years.” Missouri Annotated Statutes § 167.031. Beginning with the 2007-2008 school year, St. Louis City has authorization to raise age to 17, but in that case the 1,000 hour requirement and the record requirements in paragraph 2 would not apply.

Required Days of Instruction: 1,000 hours of instruction. At least 600 hours must be in the five required subjects. At least 400 of the 600 must occur at “the regular home school location.” Mo. Ann. Stat. § 167.031.2(2)(b). These requirements must be met within the term (12 months or less) the parents establish.

Required Subjects: Reading, math, social studies, language arts, and science. Mo. Ann. Stat. § 167.031.2(2)(b).

Home School Statute: Mo. Ann. Stat. § 167.031.2. Home schools must meet the following additional requirements:

1. A home school is defined as a school that:

a. “has as its primary purpose the provision of private or religious-based instruction;

b. enrolls pupils between the ages of seven and sixteen years, of which no more than four are unrelated” (no limit on number of related students); and

c. does not charge or receive tuition, fees or other remuneration. § 167.031.2(1)(a)-(c).”

2. Home schools must maintain the following records (there is no requirement to submit them):

a. a plan book, diary, or other record indicating subjects taught and activities engaged in;

b. and “a portfolio of samples of child’s academic work” or “other written credible evidence, etc.”;

c. and “a record of evaluations of the child’s academic progress”;

d. or “other written, credible evidence equivalent to subparagraphs a) b) and c)” § 167.031.2(2)(a). Parents have the option to follow: a, b, and c, or they can choose to follow only d) which permits more flexibility.

3. “For the purpose of minimizing unnecessary investigations” parents “may provide to the recorder of deeds of the county where the child legally resides, a signed, written declaration of enrollment stating

MO-1

Missouri MO-2

their intent” to home school within thirty days after establishment of the home school and on Sept. 1 each year thereafter. § 167.042. Filing is strictly optional. Filing may compromise the family's privacy.

4. “Nothing in this section shall require a … home school to include in its curriculum any concept, topic, or practice in conflict with the school’s religious doctrines….” § 167.031.3.

5. “The production by a parent of a daily log showing that a home school has a course of instruction which satisfies the requirements of this section (See 1 and 2 above) shall be a defense to any prosecution under this section and to any charge or action for educational neglect.” § 167.031 (5).

6. This statute was passed as a result of the federal court decision Ellis v. O’Hara, 612 F.Supp. 379 (D.C. Mo. 1985). The former law required home instruction to be “at least substantially equivalent” to instruction in the public schools. The court held: “This statute represents a prime example of legislation which yields an unacceptable amount of discretion to officials charged with enforcement. The statute, therefore, does not comply with due process requirements, and is unconstitutionally vague.” Ellis at 381. The court applied “stringent scrutiny” because this case involved “the constitutional right of parents to direct the upbringing of their children and inculcate religious and educational values in their offspring.” Id.

Teacher Qualifications: None.

Standardized Tests: None.

Religious Freedom Act: RSMo §§ 1.302 and 1.307

The Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), passed with the help of HSLDA members, gives religious home schoolers another legal means to protect their right to home school. If the parents’ free exercise of religion is substantially burdened by having to comply with the homeschool law, the parents may use the RFRA as a defense or file suit against the state. Under this statute, the burden is on the state to prove that its requirement "furthers a compelling state interest" and is the "least restrictive means" of fulfilling its interest that children be educated. This Act restores the highest protection of the individual's right to freely exercise his religious beliefs taken away by the U.S. Supreme Court in its 1997 City of Boerne decision. 520 U.S. 507.

Call or write to receive a free copy of HSLDA’s newsletter and membership application.

HSLDA, P.O. Box 3000 Purcellville, VA 20134 • Phone: (540) 338-5600 • Fax: (540) 338-2733 • Website: www.hslda.org

Copyright 2007, HSLDA, all rights reserved. May be reproduced only by permission.

THIS ANALYSIS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE GIVING OF LEGAL ADVICE.

You have to meet the number of hours in each of the fields of study

You have to keep sample of work in those areas for each year. It must be by hours and logged in for a year. If you kids do 2 hours in science and 2 hours in history on a given day you just have to log that in. Like a time clock for workers.

Get a log book and have them log in start and ending times and subject studied and just make sure in ANY given year it total the right amount.

Keep it in columns and have them add it up (counts as math)!

You can use any method or system that complies with the minimal subjects and hours.

Looks like you can teach other peoples kids (maximum of 4) provided you do it free of charge.

SINCe they make you do this work talk with a TAX expert and see if you can write some or all of this off your income taxes BUT BE SURE IT's A CPA or EA who advises you on this!