A little help please - homeschool

[Precious]

My step daughter dropped out of school with the promise to home school from both her and her mother. The problem is that her mother does not have a GED or diploma. I kind of thought that was a prerequisite to teaching your children at home.

Anyway, months passed and she still wasn't home schooling or going to regular school. My husband started to pressure her to either get back in school or start home school. She called me the other day to let me know that she had started home schooling. I was a bit confused because when I asked her what classes she was taking, she said math. When I questioned why just one class, she said that she takes one class per semester.

I've never home schooled so I'm really not sure how it works. What she was saying just didn't ring true for me and I just want to make sure that she is in home school. Without an education, she doesn't have a chance. So, is it possible to have just one class per semester?:idunno She would have been in 8th grade had she stayed in school.

[MochaMel]

Hmmm - what about Grammar, writing, science, history and spelling??? Maybe they don't do much spelling in middle school, i don't recall us doing it, i think we did vocabulary words that year and focused on that more -

i did 7th grade with my middle schooler before we put him in school - and we did a science class, Wa. state history class, and at home i had him doing a writing workbook and a grammar workbook.. and of course his math with granny.. and he loves history so that was easy to get him to watch shows on it and read about it on top of his class he took at the HS center.. Plus his own private reading time and book reports when he finished those.. She should be doing more then math i think.. I didn't think we were doing enough - so i am not sure i am the right one to answer.. but math is not enough i don'tt hink..

[LadyJ]

When we homeschooled there were times when we focused on one subject more than others, but never to the exclusion of all the others. However, different people do, do it differently. Praying for them.

[CircleSlide]

From a homeschooling mom of three, one with special needs, I take my job very seriously!
My kids are taking (each one a different level but the same basic classes):

Math
Grammar - Which includes - Spelling, Writing, Vocabulary, Literature
History
Science
Bible
Art
Free Reading

My oldest also takes a lot more (Latin, Spanish, Psychology, Chemistry, Geometry)!
They are also involved in
Civil Air Patrol
Guitar Lessons
Orchestra
youth group/AWANA

I hope that helps you.

[MidwestMama]

The requirements for teaching depend on what state they're in. Some states are more stringent than others. But I would be concerned if they're not doing a well rounded education. Perhaps your husband can ask for more details, just to now what's going on.

Cris

[Reason&Hope]

I have homeschooled for 11 years and know a LOT of homeschooling families, of all different sorts. I even know one family that homeschooled because the son was going to be a concert pianist and needed many hours of practice daily (he is in a university concert program now).

Of all those families, NOT ONE has ever taught just one subject. Not the math genius family, not the concert pianist family, not even the "unschooling" families.

Perhaps the mom doesn't know where to start. I think the dad needs to sit down with them and, nicely not accusatorially, discuss goals and strategies and resources - such as books on homeschooling, and what the law requires, etc.

[Lucy]

I have homeschooled for 11 years and know a LOT of homeschooling families, of all different sorts. I even know one family that homeschooled because the son was going to be a concert pianist and needed many hours of practice daily (he is in a university concert program now).

Of all those families, NOT ONE has ever taught just one subject. Not the math genius family, not the concert pianist family, not even the "unschooling" families.

Perhaps the mom doesn't know where to start. I think the dad needs to sit down with them and, nicely not accusatorially, discuss goals and strategies and resources - such as books on homeschooling, and what the law requires, etc.

I agree. Homeschooling is not an excuse for truancy. It makes the rest of us who are diligently teaching our children look bad. Plus, it is not doing the child any favors either. Perhaps Dad can take an active role in leading some of the lessons?

[Lucy]

Just an aside regarding teaching requirements. Having a sincere interest in teaching your child shouldn't require a diploma or a GED or college degree. IMO BTW, an opionion that is shared with many others that believe children are a gift from God and that we have the right to bring them up as we see fit. That said, we are required by conscience to teach them in a bonafide manner whether or not the law requires more. There is a myriad of places to look to for help in any subject you can think of from free to very expensive.

[Precious]

Thanks everyone. Her mom is impossible to talk to. She lets her daughter decide when she wants to visit her dad. Legally, we are supposed to have her every other weekend, but they never stick to what the judge says. We are lucky to see her once every 3 months. We've complained to child support recovery, but they won't do anything except tell us to get a lawyer which we can't afford. :(

My husband told her mom that if she didn't have her back in school or home schooled soon, that he would contact whoever he needed to. That's why I'm afraid that she might be lying to us about it. When I talked to my step daughter about school, she said that she had started. I asked her what classes she was taking and she said math. The more I questioned her, the faster she tried to get off the phone with me. That's when I decided to ask my family here at RR that home school if it was normal to take just the one class. It seemed odd to me.

Does anyone have any idea who I would contact to make sure that she's in some kind of educational program?

[MidwestMama]

Again, depending on the state, there may be no one tracking homeschooling where your stepdaughter lives. So there may not be anyone to contact. Not everyone does the same curriculum or has the same requirements. And really, even though this is a serious situation, I would hesitate to call the authorities of any sort before you know exactly what's going on.

Personally, I would have your husband sit down with them and help work out a plan. If they're in a state where paperwork must be filed, your husband can ask for a copy of that paperwork, just to have for records. Your husband should also ask exactly what curriculum is being used. This is his daughter and he has a right to know.

You can look up a state's laws here: http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp

Or if you want to tell us what state they live in (are they in Georgia like you?), someone might be able to help you interpret it.

Good luck, I know your have your SD's best interests at heart. :hug

Cris