Home Schooling in South Carolina (essay#2)

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Educational trends tend to come and go. As the transfer of responsibility of educating children has moved more away from the jurisdiction of the local government to the federal government here in the United States, parents have taken it upon themselves to grab the reign and educate their won children. I am one of those parents. Often times I am asked, “Is it hard to home school?” or the basic query of, “What must you do to home school?” although opinions or wording may differ from home school family to home school family home schooling in South Carolina requires you tend to three important things in order to be successful.

Once you have decided to home school it is pertinent to take the necessary steps to make your home school legal, and to protect your rights. The stat of South Carolina has made three options available for the family that chooses to home school: In short, option one states that instruction must be approved by the district board of trustees. Potion two allows it by becoming a member of the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools (SCAIHS). Potion three allows a family to gain membership of an association for home schools which has no fewer than 50 members. Each of these options varies in the level of accountability. To learn more about the three options ample information can be found through public resources. Though many would say that educating your own children is a privilege others contend that it is a parent’s God given right. However you are persuaded the Home School Legal Defense (HSLD) is a group of lawyers whose mission is to protect the rights of homeschoolers in the United States and other countries.

After you have legitimized your home school, gathering your curriculum and developing a plan will be the next critical phase. Many of the option three accountability associations, such as Piedmont Home Educators Association (PHEA) equip new homeschoolers with free and invaluable information. This information will include; curriculum providers, local home school activities, organizations that would be beneficial to your school, and the like. Just as with anything else, the internet is a great tool for locating books- new or used. Here in the Upstate there are a couple of local home school bookstores which carry several popular books and curriculum. The major home school book store in our area is called Children’s Books. The store is owned and operated by a veteran home school family. Their help is welcomed from the new and experienced families alike. The sweet nectar to most home school families however are the used book sale! In the spring co-ops, associations, or support groups organize our book sales. Going there will afford you the benefits of good deals, a wealth of information, encouragement, and good fellowship.

Lastly, and perhaps the most important requirement for homeschooling in South Carolina is to garner moral support. Educating at home is gaining more and more credibility; however there are still many who are against the practice. Having support from family and friends may help to ease emotional burdens that often come from non-supporters because you home school. Aside from accountability associations, there are many support groups all over the state. Some of them cater to specialized needs such as: families with special needs or autistic children. Co-ops are outlets that families take advantage of. They meet the needs of families by providing, tutors, classes, and several children in one place. Sometimes the support of fellow homeschoolers is the only support you may get. In what ever form that it comes remember to draw upon it on the days that you feel burned out and discouraged.

You will hit bumps in the road but over all home schooling in South Carolina can be quite rewarding. If you follow the necessary steps of legalizing and protecting you home school, gathering curriculum and developing a plan, and gaining moral support you and your family will have an experience that may pay off for years to come.