Thanks For Considering Homeschooling!
We're glad you've surfed on in!
You're considering homeschooling your young child. Many families decide early in their child's life that they will home educate. Alabama law doesn't require that children be enrolled in school until age 7, however, many parents benefit from connecting with other homeschooling parents, arranging play dates, and cooperative classes.
You're praying and know the Lord is leading you to home educate your child. Many families feel God has called them to bring their students home, for an assortment of reasons. Home education is an adjustment for children who've been in institutional schools. GSS suggests plugging in to a good support group, exploring curriculum options, looking at your child's learning style, attending a convention or curriculum fair, and applying to a home school church school. There is a learning period inherent in homeschooling, whether you are new to it or adjusting to it.... plan to give it a year or two to get fully adjusted.
You're public school student has been having trouble (academic, social, discipline) in school and you're considering withdrawing him/her to homeschool. It can be frustrating and overwhelming to a parent to find that after years of investment, the public schools are unable or unwilling to meet your child's educational needs. You have many decisions to make: 1. What do you see as the problem? Some challenges, like ADD/ADHD and learning style differences can be worked around, but there's a learning period involved. If your child's difficulty involves a discipline problem, unless the root cause is addresed, the problem may be made worse! If you feel that your child's public school isn't responsive to their needs, be aware that while your church school administrator makes every effort to help you, you can wait a day or two for email/phone calls to be returned. You will need to plan on taking much more responsibility and time than you ever did in public school!
2. Homeschooling requires a drastic lifestyle change for most families. Children under 16 must be physically supervised during the school day. If you work during the day, you'll need to consider this. GSS can refer you to a private tutor, but the tutor won't handle discipline issues, and the cost can run upward of $400/month at your expense.
3. Consider the cost. Enrollment in a homeschool church school costs on average $300/year. You're responsible for purchasing books and curriculum, which can cost from around $100 to over $1000. Because the dropout rate is so high, some homeschool church achools, including GSS, require that families of students age 14 and over who are withdrawing from public school and homeschooling for the first time, pay the years' tuition upfront.
Beginning Homeschooling has wonderful articles and links.