Thinking about homeschooling? Here are some tips to get started!
Notice of Intent (NOI)
If you live in North Carolina, the first thing you want to do is file a Notice of Intent to Homeschool. This is the legal document you need to show that your child is in school. In NC, children ages 7-16 must be enrolled in some type of school. If your child is under the age of 7, you don’t need to file the NOI until they turn 7–however, if they are in public school, the school may ask for proof that you are homeschooling before you can withdraw them. You can print off the requirements from the NC Department of Administration website so they are aware of the law.
The NOI is done entirely online. You will need a valid email address and an electronic copy of your high school diploma or other proof that you graduated from high school. Can’t find your diploma? If you graduated from Gaston County Schools, you can order a copy of your transcript online here. The cost is $14. If you graduated somewhere else, try calling your old school district or high school. If you went on to college or a certificate program, a copy of that degree or certificate can also be used.
If you don’t have a high school diploma, a family member or friend can use theirs. That person will be the administrator of your school but you can still be the teacher of your child.
Click here to go to the Department of Administration website and see the process for filing a Notice of Intent.
Home School Requirements
It is very easy to meet the legal requirements for homeschooling in North Carolina. You are required to:
- File a Notice of Intent
- Do instruction at least nine months each year
- Keep track of attendance
- Keep immunization records or state that you have a religious exemption
- Administer a standardized test each year
The links above go to the state website to give you more information about each requirement. The only documentation that you send to the state is the NOI. The rest is for you to keep at home. There are many standardized tests that are acceptable in North Carolina, including the California Achievement Test, Terra Nova, Iowa Test of Basic Skills, Woodcock-Johnson, and NWEA MAP. You must buy these tests from a vendor online. Some of these tests must be administered by a professional, but many you can do at home. Standardized tests results are not reported to the state, and the state does not penalize you based on test results.
Curriculum
If you plan on your child returning to public school, you will want to keep track of the NC Standard Course of Study. When you re-enroll, your child’s principal will want to know what your child has studied in order to place them in the appropriate grade. If you plan to homeschool until your child graduates, then use that freedom to teach what you think is important. For high schoolers, you determine what credits they receive and you write the diploma when they have fulfilled your requirements.
Before you choose a curriculum, think about your homeschooling style. There are a range of styles such as Charlotte Mason, Classical Conversations, project based learning, unit studies, and unschooling. This Homeschool Philosophies Quiz might help you find out what would fit your family best. Gastonia Freedom School does unschooling (self-directed learning), which means we follow the interests of our students instead of guiding them along a standard path of subjects.
Once you know your philosophy, head over to Cathy Duffy’s site to read reviews of different curricula. She has hundreds of reviews and links to buy them. You can also check out the HomeSchool Mom. We do not recommend investing in boxes of curriculum or online courses until you know your child’s learning style and interests. Each child may have different needs, and some programs require more or less parent involvement. Download samples or buy used a curriculum to see what fits best with your family. If your first week with a curriculum is a disaster, try it for one more week and then move on. Homeschooling can be frustrating but it should not add more stress to your family.
Deschooling
Veteran homeschoolers recommend that you take time to deschool once you leave traditional school. Deschooling is the process of changing your mindset about what schooling should be. Deschooling looks like summer vacation, where your children have time to relax and explore their interests. You can suggest reading or fun activities, but avoid setting up a strict schedule and drilling them on what they know. Take your time and don’t worry about “getting behind.” Read more about deschooling here.
When you give your child the time and space to be themselves, they become more confident about what they want to learn, and they come to trust you to be there for them as a parent. During deschooling, your child may spend more time than you’d like on a device, but when was the last time they had 6 hours to spend the way they wanted to? Children who face strict restrictions on screen time may look like “addicts” when those restrictions are taken away, but trust them to find balance and to listen to your concerns when you approach the discussion with love and care. Peter Gray has written several articles about screen time and its benefits for children in the age of technology.
Once you’ve deschooled for a few months, try introducing some of the curriculum you’ve chosen. Veteran homeschoolers do up to three hours work each day, and much less for children under 7. Why so little time? Your children are not spending time standing in line, transitioning between classes, taking out and putting up supplies, or waiting for the teacher to answer questions. You and your child can work much more quickly than teachers with 20+ students. Take advantage of that and give your child plenty of time to digest knowledge and explore their interests.
Delays and Learning Disabilities
If your child has a disability, homeschooling is a great option for them. With homeschooling, you don’t have to worry about your child being ahead or behind. No one is measuring your child based on arbitrary standards. If they need more time on a subject, give them more time. It’s ok to do reading and math at different grade levels. Focus on mastery instead of trying to completely cover every subject plus specials.
You may feel disappointed to realize that your child, even though they are in a certain grade level, has not mastered concepts at a lower grade level. The unfortunate reality is that children in public school are promoted based on age and not achievement. Even if your child is in an Exceptional Children classroom, they will have gaps in their knowledge. Don’t panic. You can take the time you need to fill in those gaps or even skip them if they do not serve your family’s needs.
If your child received school based disability services, it is unlikely that your child will continue to receive those services as a homeschool student. North Carolina’s IEP process only applies to public schools and charter schools. The public school is not required to provide services to your child once they withdraw, though some schools do allow students to come in for speech therapy. This is a great time to look into private providers for speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and social skills classes. Private therapy is usually much more comprehensive than school based services. If your child has a diagnosis of autism, ADHD, or learning disability based on their IEP, you will want to pursue a medical diagnosis to get more information about the disability and to access private services. Speak to your child’s primary care doctor or call Partners Behavioral Health (if you live in Gaston County) for a referral.
Homeschooling and Work
If you are a parent who has to work during the day, you can still homeschool! Lean on your support network to find a place for your child to be during the day. Home daycares are a great option, and Gastonia Freedom School has drop in hours during the week. Choose a curriculum that is self-guided so that you and your child can spend time at home bonding instead of rushing through school work. Your child can also use Outschool to take live classes during the day or evening. Do not feel pressured to take time off work to attend co-ops, field trips, or other activities with homeschool families. Simply making the choice to homeschool means you are already giving your child many opportunities to explore and learn. Use the weekends to go to the library, museums, and the park.
Homeschooling also does not have to cost much. There are many curriculum choices that are free (such as Easy Peasy Homeschooling or Khan Academy) or low cost. If you don’t have $100 to spare on workbooks, don’t buy them. Use sites like Education.com and K5Learning to print worksheets and activities. Check out books from the library to cover specific topics. YouTube has whole courses online for all ages and subjects. Public schools don’t use textbooks anymore, so why should you?
Closing
You can homeschool your child. It may feel like a daunting task, but you can do it. Knowing that your child will learn in a way that works for them and that honors your values is very rewarding. Traditional schools are a good fit for many families, but if you’ve been looking for something different, take the plunge!
Questions? Call or email us for more resources on homeschooling and children with disabilities.
Our Favorite Homeschooling Links
North Carolina Department of Non-Public Education
Fare of the Free Child Podcast
Cathy Duffy Curriculum Reviews