Getting Started with Homeschooling
Practical Considerations for Parents of School-Aged Children
© Beverley Paine
Index
Homeschool
Australia
General Requirements of the Registration Process
(continued)
Resources and materials to be used, including access to curriculum documents. Educational authorities prefer you to refer to accepted educational philosophy and curriculum for planning, as well as other sources such as educational texts,
libraries, the community, etc. Resources include reference materials, support groups and information, consumable items (art, craft, science, maths, texts, etc), community organisations and places of interest, work places, libraries, and people.
Across curriculum emphasis. In the home it is easy to link the often separated areas of learning, drawing together many disciplines instead of just studying one subject at a time. Integrating general themes such as multiculturalism, Aboriginal
studies, media studies, etc., into traditional curriculum subjects broadens the curriculum and widens the learning experience.
Other broadening activities, especially the provision for social and cultural activities with others. Traditionally these areas are covered by 'extra-curricula' or after school activities, special events and festivals. Home schooling families are
uniquely placed to take advantage of many cultural activities, including participating in a wide range of community activities and voluntary opportunities conducted during school hours. After school and weekend activities remain
available to home educated children.
A statement of philosophy of education or long term goals for the education of the student. This involves a brief and concise outline of what your beliefs about education, and your goals, in educational terms, for your children are. Part 3
discusses this in detail.
Monitoring and evaluation methods to be used. This is sometimes called the assessment process, and includes the methods you use to check the standard of your children’s work. This is primarily to avoid learning disadvantage. Most often children’s standards are checked against their own previous attempts, and sometimes ‘national standards’ or ‘averages’ can be used. What you do and what you use is up to you. Generally all that is required are records or samples of your children's work, anecdotal evidence of learning, and copies of learning programs. It is uncommon for homeschoolers to be required to attend ‘tests’, etc. Part 7 offers a detailed discussion on evaluation and record keeping.
Sometimes the interviewing officer will want to know if there is any intention of your children returning to school at any stage. There is no requirement for children to return to school at any stage, although experience has shown educational
authorities generally approve of an open-minded attitude by the family on this option, should the children want to return to school. In most cases approval to home school is granted for only up to two years and is subject to a review process.
Many families homeschool for only a year or two, after which time their children easily integrate back into mainstream education, with no disadvantage.
Contact with homeschooling groups for support and social needs. This is increasingly being suggested by authorities, and demonstrates their awareness of the benefits derived from formal and informal home education networks. All of your preparation should involve minimal effort and even less worry. By carefully considering the aspects discussed in Part 1, you will have already clarified and understood some of the requirements usually sought by educational authorities, and will need only to articulate them. Meeting the requirements is often just a natural aspect of planning your children's education.
Recording the process is good practice and helps to clarify your goals. Some families submit only a page or two, others prepare a folder of information. Do as much or as little as you feel is needed to explain your learning program to others. Use your own style and language and keep it simple and brief. At most, preparing your first learning program should not take you more than a couple of weeks of researching, thinking, brainstorming and recording, drafting and polishing.
Regardless of whether you decide to apply for ‘registration’ or ‘permission’ from any educational authority, the process outlined above in the approval procedure is an excellent exercise in clarifying the home education experience in the early months. After such an exercise has been gone through many families report increased confidence in their home
schooling practice, and a greater understanding of the direction and methods they adopt. Some families often resent this process, as it takes time away from hands on learning activities with the children. These families focus primarily on the ‘permission asking’ aspect of the exercise, and are not using it as a process for planning and organising their home education programs. If you feel compelled by law or otherwise to become‘registered’ and resent the process, try to view the experience positively. Negotiating with educational authorities can be an empowering and useful learning experience for the whole family.
In time, as you become proficient and experienced in educating your children at home, you will evolve the skill of efficiently recording your learning plans and evaluation. What may take some time and effort now will begin to occur naturally. Home schooling is an evolutionary process - you won't find yourself doing the same thing in the same way each
year!
Knowing what is required helps you to be well prepared, not only for the interview, but, more importantly, for your journey into home education. Even if you never need to negotiate with any educational authority following the process or writing an educational curriculum for your children builds confidence and is very empowering.
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Excerpt from Getting Started with Homeschooling, Practical Considerations
© Beverley Paine, 1997
