Neither one of us is against homeschooling and both are interested in what is best for DS. So we discussed it tonight and have decided to homeschool. Now I just need to find curriculum!
Lisaloves
I have been looking at all of the laws for Florida. Am I correct in that the state does not have a list of required subjects? That just seems odd but I am willing to go with it. I know the basics: math, science, history, geography, literature and language arts. All the others are considered to be extra: music, art, foreign language. Do you have any other suggestions?
What do you guys think of Robinson curriculum? I know that Switched On Schoolhouse gets very good reviews.
Correct!
Different states have different laws. Some states are more strict than others. I child still has to develop commensorate (sp?) with their ability. It would look shady for example if your child had no math or science to speak of and would be evident in some way. But the state IMHO trusts that the parent is wise enough to adequately educate their children without mandating specific subjects.
However--if you want your son to qualify for any of the automatic state scholarships, you might consider teaching the courses that qualify for those. Also--if you intend on getting him in college, you would have to do a college prepartory (sp? again!) curriculum.
Personall--I would include some type of economics education at your sons ability level--things such as balancing a checkbook, budgeting--that kind of thing. A life skills class!
Foreign language tends to be required to get into college according to the state--but oddly when I was in college, they only required foreign language if you didn't already have it in high school.
Why would they do that if you need it to get in?
I've never heard of the Robinson curriculum.
I use Mother of Divine Grace--which is a Catholic classical curriculum. I'm not sure if you are Catholic, but since you sent your son to Catholic school, I thought I'd toss it out there.
I just sent this link to someone on my homeschool group, but it might be helpful for you as well as it is a PS introductory pack for freshman that helps you guide their high school career. I think it is somewhat helpful for a homeschooler who is trying to figure out how to navigate high school and how to make course decisions:
http://www.fldoe.org/APlusPlus/pdf/MAJORSGuideHSGraduation2007.pdf
The guide is from 2 school years ago, but I believe it is still current for its content. Page 7 in particular has some helpful questions that can help guide you. Page 5 lists the various course groupings for different tracks.
The only thing additional that you haven't mentioned would be electives and i would direct those to the things your son loves to learn about and things that would benefit your son in adult hood for his career choice (i.e. a computer class if he likes computers or a home study in building things or cooking if he likes cooking.)
Ignore the bottom of the chart on page 5 as we are not required to maintain a GPA nor is "testing" mandatory. It is an option for homeschoolers to satisfy state requirements, but it isn't mandatory.
HSLDA has the law regarding homeschooling in Florida and it is as it says.
In Summary,
*Letter to your district indicating your intention to homeschool within 30 days of starting a homeschool program. This is key--send it only when you want your annual date--as they stamp it when they get it. I sent mine a bit early, so my date is August 22--that is when the latter requirement is do. You only submit this letter once (unless you move--then you submit a letter saying you are stopping and resubmit a letter in your new county or follow your new state requirements if you left the state.)
*Maintain 2 years of portfolio from the time you commence homeschooling. So you would begin with current year--and maintain this years portfolio for 2 years (adding subsequent years--this year would drop off in 2 years). The portfolio only requires samples of work--it isn't every blessed thing you did--though I keep every blessed thing usually.
*Submit ANNUALLY on that date of your intent letter ONE of the following:
--Letter from Certified teacher who has completed a portfolio review (those take about 20 minutes of a teacher speaking with you and your student and reviewing work. Many are homeschool moms who have maintained certification and are quite homeschool friendly but compliant with the law.)
--Letter from Certified teacher that they have reviewed standardized test scores. (standardized test is NOT required, but you can use it. However a teacher reviewing the scores and submitting a letter and NOT the scores is the preferred method of homeschoolers--especially those who get all wiggy about providing more than is necessary to the state.)
--Standardized Test Scores (I do not remember if you can self test or not, we usually go to a proctored test through a homeschooling group--again it is preferred in the homeschooling community not to submit these directly even though you can. Again--you get some overzealous folks not wanting the govt to get any ideas that they SHOULD be submitted. So I just get it reviewed and send the review and not the scores.)
--I believe you can also opt for a psychological review and have that submitted. I don't know too many who choose this option.
That is it--unlike different states
we do not have:
1. Attendance requirements or schooling time requirements (set number of hours per day or per year--some states do.
)
2. Course requirements. Solely up to you (i.e. my daughter hasn't had division yet--which was on her 3rd grade standardized test. That's b/c our curriculum of choice doesn't teach it until 4th grade. She's still getting math, just not in the right order--and her math score dipped a little. But no concerns as division is on its way.)
We are actually one of the easier states. The only state I can think of that is easier is Texas where I think you just notify the district.
We do have compulsory age requirements that I have blanked on. It goes to age 15 or 16--but I have heard various opinions on whether or not you should continue registering with the county but can't think of if it matters one way or the other.
Here's the manual from my county. It would apply to you as well regardless of county since the law cannot be overridden by any county with more strict rules. The addresses would NOT apply to you though. The Sample forms would work for you as well--though the address of where to send them is incorrect.
http://studentservices.brevard.k12.fl.us/Home Education Handbook.pdf
"Socialization" is often a big concern with homeschoolers, but how socialized your kids will be is entirely up to you. As I said, a lot of the socialization in this school district was just destructive. My sister and I experienced much more positive socialization and learned to interact with people of many different ages better than most of our peers.
