home school????

[jpreiser]

I am thinking of teaching the kids at home, public schools here are  getting out of hand and the private school is just to much $$$$. I just dont know how to get started???  Since I live in New Jersey  is there anyone here that has any info on what I would have to do to get started???

[chasd60]

I am thinking of teaching the kids at home, public schools here are getting out of hand and the private school is just to much $$$$. I just dont know how to get started??? Since I live in New Jersey is there anyone here that has any info on what I would have to do to get started???

Great question!! I have always wondered the steps you have to take to do this. Not that I will be doing it anytime soon. Unless you can home school while you are working full time.
   
  I have a few questions to add;
   What is required for reporting to the state?
    Is it dependent on the state you live in or do they follow a national home school rule?
    If you home school, do the kids have to participate in State mandated tests that public schooled kids have to take?
    How does the "No child left behind" program
   affect home schooling?
   
   Thanks in advance

[brainpause]

Here is a link to a company that produces homeschool curricula:

Homeschooling

[GeneF]

Chas

You asked some very good quetions.

Here are a few more:

Do I feel confident to teach higher lever courses such as algebra, chemistry, physics, English Literature, etc.  

How important is social interaction with my child's peers?

Will the school allow my child to participate in clubs, sports or other activities?

Will my child get some sort of diploma?

Do I have the time to do the preparation needed to help with the lessons?

[chasd60]

Chas
 
You asked some very good quetions.
 
Here are a few more:
 
Do I feel confident to teach higher lever courses such as algebra, chemistry, physics, English Literature, etc.
 
How important is social interaction with my child's peers?
 
Will the school allow my child to participate in clubs, sports or other activities?
 
Will my child get some sort of diploma?
 
Do I have the time to do the preparation needed to help with the lessons?

Gene,
I don't think I would even consider attempting it unless I was a "Stay at home" dad.
 
If I ever did consider it then it would have been in the earlier years rather than the later years.
 
The participation in extra curricular activities is important and if I remember correctly, a school in Maine did stop several home schooled kids from participating in sports. Guess I don't agree with that and from what I understand it is still being challenged.
 
Social interaction....
I think one could still have it but not in the amount some think is adequate. I guess I believe it is like someone that comes from a school that has 300-400 in each grade VS the one DD goes to and we have 30-40.
Those that go to the bigger schools probably feel there isn't enough social interaction in the small schools.
 
Get some sort of Diploma?
Have no idea what you get for home schoolers. I have a nice printer though;) .

[4campinfoxes]

In our area there is actually some kinds of homeschooling associations.  Some take it so far as to do more group teaching than home schooling.  Others just get together now & then for special events, "field trips", or other special schooling activities.

Yes, some school districts allow homeschoolers to participate in extra-currliculars & some don't.  Personally I feel that if you don't send your kids to the school you shouldn't expect them to be able to play sports or do other activities there. I think ours does allow it.

Sharon

[Firefyter-Emt]

Few points.. I personally think it is great! If you look at results I think they speak for themselves.. Home schooled kids DO better because the people teaching them have the time to spend with them.. As for the social interaction?? Uh, that is one of the problems with public school.. Too Much interaction!! A lot of the public school problems come from the interaction that your kids have with other kids in their classes. I do not think this is a bad thing, but a positive thing. The home schools child will have a better one on one relationship with adults and dealing with them rather than the "in crowd" at their school . This will help them in the long run with the real world. Let's face it.. How many kids leaving the typical public school have a good grasp on the real world out there?? Heck, look at what is being taught at our colleges by the "professors"
 
As for the home schooled child taking place in sports in your district.. Let's not forget, under the currant system, if you home school, you are still paying for your child to go there.. I personally think if they start the voucher system and allow the parent to choose how and where their money is spent then maybe, just maybe some of the serious problems in your schools today may make a change for the better.. If you as a parent has to personally choose the teachers and paid them yourself, do you think that some of the crap that is being pulled today will be so much the norm???
 
If you are a stay at home dad and can take the time to do this, go for it.. Don't let the "social interaction" thing get you.. That IMHO is the main reason parents are starting to home school so much!!
 
~offsoapbox~

[Firefyter-Emt]

Getting Started.
http://www.youcanhomeschool.org/starthere/default.asp?bhcp=1
 
Home School Legal Defense Association.
http://www.hslda.org/
 
New Jersey Education Code For Homeschooling Link.
http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/laws/blNJ.htm
 
Another link for ya, from the Dept. of Edu.
http://www.state.nj.us/njded/genfo/overview/faq_homeschool.htm
 
 
 
 

[jpreiser]

Thank you for all of your replies, We are looking into this as the public school here is so crowded and I am not happy with the "stuff" the kids are coming home with.

[Adam]

Thank you for all of your replies, We are looking into this as the public school here is so crowded and I am not happy with the "stuff" the kids are coming home with.

Jpreiser, You Think you have it bad trying coming more central, I just shelled out $ 8500.00 for Pre-School for 2004 !  I could have sent little Matt to Rutgers for only $ 6200.00 a year !

As for Home school that is wonderful idea but not for us, I think we need to send the kids off daily to learn lifes little leasons. It also doesn't help my case that my father inlaw is a college professor and would never approve. Coming from the left a little to much :mad:.

By the way not to kill the thread but how close are you to Ocean View Campground Resort near Ocean City, this is my wife's favorite campground due to the location and the Filtered Pond !

[jpreiser]

Jpreiser, You Think you have it bad trying coming more central, I just shelled out $ 8500.00 for Pre-School for 2004 !  I could have sent little Matt to Rutgers for only $ 6200.00 a year !

As for Home school that is wonderful idea but not for us, I think we need to send the kids off daily to learn lifes little leasons. It also doesn't help my case that my father inlaw is a college professor and would never approve. Coming from the left a little to much :mad:.

By the way not to kill the thread but how close are you to Ocean View Campground Resort near Ocean City, this is my wife's favorite campground due to the location and the Filtered Pond !

  Thanks , As of January they will be going to the local Christian school. The public school here is so crowded and way to many "life Lessons" are happening right on the bus!!!  I know I can not protect them from all the "bad" stuff but I sure can make a change.

Ocean View is about 45 mins away, we have not stayed there but know of people who love it. Maybe this year we will get a chance. I hear it's nice but can get very busy int he summer months.

[Adam]

Ocean View is about 45 mins away, we have not stayed there but know of people who love it. Maybe this year we will get a chance. I hear it's nice but can get very busy int he summer months.[/QUOTE]

Your right about the traffic @ Ocean View one day I counted 45 trucks pass none stop trough I gave up counting, roomy sites considering they offer over 1200 sites and close to the beach.

Do you have any favorite campgrounds in your area ?  Call me the offical thread killer !

[jpreiser]

Ocean View is about 45 mins away, we have not stayed there but know of people who love it. Maybe this year we will get a chance. I hear it's nice but can get very busy int he summer months.

Your right about the traffic @ Ocean View one day I counted 45 trucks pass none stop trough I gave up counting, roomy sites considering they offer over 1200 sites and close to the beach.

Do you have any favorite campgrounds in your area ?  Call me the offical thread killer ![/QUOTE]



No We really dont camp around here to much since we live here...we like to get away. .... And since this area gets so crowded in the spring and summer we usually camp in PA. There seems to be a ton of seasonals at alot fo the campgrounds down here at the "shore" , not that , that is bad. I prefer to have a more quiet camping time, then golf carts buzzing by, and winning TP at Bingo games....