Read Before Seeking Homeschool Advice Online

Caution! Read this before seeking homeschool advice online.

Homeschoolers often go online seeking support. There are countless Facebook groups and online forums available for homeschoolers to join. These groups and forums can be an excellent place to get homeschool advice, ask questions, encourage one another, and share your experiences. While they can be a great place for asking some questions, I’d caution you not to depend on these sources for answers to questions like these:

• Do I need to register with my school district?
• When is my paperwork due?
• How many days/hours am I required to homeschool?
• Do I need to use a standardized test?
• Am I required to prepare a portfolio?
• How does my child graduate?

What’s the problem with asking these questions?

You may wonder what’s wrong with asking these questions. After all, they are all things you really need to know. The problem is that you may receive inaccurate information. The helpful, seemingly well-informed parents in a Facebook group may inadvertently pass on incorrect or outdated information. The friendly mom on a homeschool forum may not understand the homeschool laws and requirements in your state.

Homeschool Websites & Blogs

Homeschoolers also sometimes seek answers to these questions on homeschool websites or blogs. Many websites provide answers to the questions above and similar questions related to homeschooling legally. However, seeking this information from homeschool websites, no matter how professional and knowledgeable they seem, is not a good idea either. The vast majority of homeschool websites and blogs (including this one) are written by homeschooling parents just like you. Homeschool laws vary widely by state. So, it’s doubtful that the author of these websites would have expert-level knowledge of the ever-changing homeschool laws of all fifty states. Unfortunately, sometimes even the websites of in-state homeschool organizations, co-ops, and cover/umbrella schools, which would seem to be reliable sources of information, may provide inaccurate information. These websites are often not updated frequently and may contain outdated information.

So, where CAN I get answers to these questions?

Straight from the source! There’s no need to go through a third party and risk receiving incorrect information. Most state Department of Education websites will indicate what, if anything, is legally required of homeschoolers in your state. If your state’s DOE website doesn’t have this information, contact them and ask where you can find your state’s homeschool laws. It’s important that you read the laws yourself. If you need further clarification, contact your state homeschool organization for assistance.

Related Posts

• What curriculum should I use?
• What should I be teaching?
• 12 Tips to Ease the Transition from Public School to Homeschool