What, why and how: 1st in a series

If you are concerned about your children’s education, you are not alone.

The pandemic, masks, vaccines and learning loss cause parents to consider homeschooling.

Are online and in-class free public schools or private, charter or homeschooling best for your child?

Some parents choose homeschooling because they like customizing the curriculum for their child’s needs.

Other advantages include

• Positive, healthy social learning free of physical or emotional bullying.

• Freedom from vaccine and mask mandates in their public schools.

The National Center for Education Statistics found 5 million students were homeschooled from March 2020 to the 2020-21 school year.

Hslda.org shows a 2-3% rise in SC homeschooling.

SC homeschooling laws make it legal and you can join the SC Association of Independent Home Schools.

It has elementary, middle, high school and special needs counselors.

It keeps transcripts and helps seniors apply for and find college scholarships.

Parent-led groups also meet homeschooling requirements but you must have a GED or high school diploma to homeschool.

Students must learn reading, writing, arithmetic, science, and social studies 180 days a year.

That’s 36 5-day weeks not

Composition and literature are in grades 7-12.

If 1st-time homeschooling families feel overwhelmed, veteran homeschooling parents are a wealth of encouragement and advice.

How much does homeschooling cost?

Homeschoolers pay on average $600 per child annually compared to $15,240 per public school student.

Of course, as a taxpayer, you pay for both.

To find curriculum, check homeschool used book sales, online sites and the SCAIHS bookstore.

Also check Google homeschool curriculum reviews.

Who homeschools? The demographics reveal a wide range of all socioeconomic levels, all educational levels from GED to Ph.D.’s.

Minority homeschoolers are the fastest-growing with a 41% increase.

Veteran homeschooling moms are a wealth of wisdom for 1st-time homeschoolers. Homeschool support groups can be found at homeschoolingsc.org.

Homeschooling support groups:

• homeschoolingsc. org/support-groups-directory/

• SC Homeschooling accountability Association-tschaa.com

A list of 3rd option groups in SC is at ed.sc. gov/districts-schools/ state-accountability/ home-schooling/