Some key terms to kow- What is homeschool?

If there is one thing in life that we can all be sure of, words mean something. When you start homeschooling, there ARE terms that will be very, very helpful to understand as you move forward in your families homeschool journey. 

So, let's start at the beginning: 

Homeschool- The in-home education of children with parents as teachers and no governing institution. Each state provides its own definition of homeschooling that fits into its own laws and regulations. Parents are in control of curriculum choices. Guidelines and rules to follow within your homeschool vary by state.

Public School- Is a free, public place of education that is open to everyone. Public schools are governed by federal and state governments and attendance is mandatory.

Charter School- These are public, tuition free schools. They operate autonomously from the state though. The “charter” is its operational agreement. Charter schools receive their funds through the local and state governments, therefore having to hold to their rules and regulations.

Private School- Private Schools can vary widely, especially based off state definition. These schools can be accredited or not and are typically religious schools. These schools are tuition based, receiving no federal, state, or local funds. However, some states offer voucher programs for private schools to make them more accessible for lower income families.

Hybrid School- These are private schools that have melted together being in a schoolroom and homeschooling. Typically, children are in school anywhere from 2-4 days a week and at home the rest of the time. The curriculum followed is a homeschool curriculum that can easily go back and forth. These types of schools can also be referred to as cottage schools.

Co-op- These are technically not schools but are places for children to take specific classes to pursue, either personal interests or a deeper knowledge in a certain subject. Co-ops are great for homeschool families to build community with other homeschool families. The structure of co-op ranges based on what the families want. Some operate loosely, offering classes and individual experiences while others provide more structure, offering glimpses of "regular school" or the ability to build stronger community bonds within shared learning.

Ok so here's a pretty common question:

Is online public school the same as homeschooling?

NO. No not at all. Even though children are learning at home while attending classes online, your child will still be receiving a public-school education. You do not have the freedom to choose what they are learning or how they are learning it. Your child will follow the federal, state, and local guidelines and regulations set forth for the public schools. And will be held to those standards. While this dynamic may still work for some families, it is important to note, it isn't truly homeschooling by definition. It is public school at home.

I hope this information is helpful in providing clarity as you move forward with homeschooling!

Til next time!

Lori

To Know God and To Make Him Known​