schoolsearch: Some parents handle the teaching

Some parents handle the teaching

[Times photo: Michael Rondou]
Neoka Apple, left, has been home schooling her children for 14 years. She is the St. Petersburg support group facilitator for the Pinellas Parent Educators Association. Here, she works on a Spanish lesson with her daughter, Leja, right, in their living room.

By SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADA
© St. Petersburg Times
published September 15, 2002

The school district offers options to aid families who choose home schooling. But parents must decide what and how to teach.

"Home schooling is not for everyone," says John Lash, Pinellas County's coordinator for home schooling.

Some parents will try it, find the time and effort are more than they can handle, and decide to re-enroll their children in public or private schools.

But each year more than 2,000 children in Pinellas County are taught at home by their parents. The total represents less than 2 percent of the county's total public and private school enrollment.

"When a parent decides to school their child at home, we don't ask why. We just try to help with their questions and direct them to where they can find help," Lash said.

Parents might think their child needs more individualized attention. Or parents may want to instill religious or other values not taught in public schools.

Home schooling is an option most frequently chosen by parents of elementary-age children, but a substantial number of middle and even high school students also opt out of structured public or private classrooms.

The challenge for a parent-teacher is much easier to meet today than in years past:

Local, state and national support groups offer advice, curriculum materials, and even accredited high school diplomas -- often over the Internet.

Religious and private organizations offer "home school registration" that qualifies as private school enrollment under state law.

You also can dual-enroll your child for up to a half-day in public school to take advantage of specialized classes or programs, or simply for socialization. (Note: Home-schooled children do not qualify for grandfathering under the choice plan. Parents seeking to dual-enroll their child must fill out a school choice application.)

Home-schooled students also can participate in competitive extracurricular activities, particularly sports, offered in the public schools.

State law says a school-age child younger than 16 must be enrolled in school. Home schooling qualifies, and you don't have to be a certified teacher to take this option.

All you have to do is meet a few requirements:

You must submit a "notice of intent" to the public school system.

You must keep a record of what you are teaching your child and a portfolio of your child's work for at least two years.

And you must have your child assessed at least once a year by a certified teacher or tester.

Depending on your child's situation, the school system can demand to review your child's portfolio as frequently as every month.

"Normally portfolios are not reviewed unless there is some indication of a problem. If a student has a history of truancy and then enters home education, a special committee reviews their activities monthly until we are satisfied," Lash said.

But none of these requirements apply if you register your child with a recognized private home school organization.

The only caveat is the school must be in Pinellas County. National or out-of-county home school organizations do not qualify under state law.

"Just remember, home schooling is nonpublic education. All decisions regarding what to teach and how to teach is the decision of the parent," Lash said.