Can I start homeschooling during the middle of the school year??

[Unregistered]

Hello there!
My daughter is currently in public kindergareten in Haverhill Ma and it is REALLY not what I thought it would be. I'm looking to homeschool her and i'm wondering how I go about that at this point in the year? Can I take her out mid year and how to do set up her homeschooling program? I'm a former teacher and still licensed in the state so I'm not worried about the teaching aspect just setting it up and all the technicalities!
Any help would be wonderful!
Thank you!
Jennifer P

[katshu2]

Hi Jennifer, and welcome! According to the Massachusetts homeschool laws, you need to contact the school board to get your homeschool approved. The laws outline what they look for in approving homeschools, and I don't think you will have any problems. I am honestly not sure if you have submit BEFORE you pull her out, of if you can pull her out then submit to the school board (I've never done this mid-year, lol), but the school board can tell you.

Good luck! Please check back in and let us know how things are going with you.

[Nancys5437]

You just need to submit a letter of intent to homeschool and a simple paragraph describing your educational plan.
Here is mine (privatized) all in one simple form for 3 children in 3 different grades.
8/23/2012

To the Superintendent of------Schools,
Here is the Education Plan for --- 2012-2013

This education plan is submitted in accordance with the Charles decision:
-,-,-, will be taught; orthography, reading, writing, the English language and grammar, the history and constitution of the United States, the duties of citizenship, a foreign language, geography, history, social science, mathematics, music, drawing, health education, physical education, good behavior, science, technology, cooking and the arts.
We will be using a variety of materials and resources including but not limited to; Math-U-See Delta, Epsilon, & Zeta Story of the World Vol. 3 & 4, Time-4-Learning, 4th, 5th & 7th grade, Which Way USA, Top Secret Adventures, Hands On Science, Fly with Poetry, co-operative classes, outside teachers for instruction in, Writing, Math, Music & Theory, Physical Education, Performing Arts and much more. Our plan includes making great use of intangible resources, like the internet, museums, field trips, workshops, and the public library on a regular basis.
We will meet or exceed the 180 days/900 hours of instruction required yearly in the public schools since educational experiences can happen 365 days a year every awake hour.
We are of competent ability and good morals since we are both graduates of - High School and are upstanding citizens in our community.
An annual progress report will be submitted upon request at the end of the school year.
We would appreciate a letter of approval from you.

Thank You,



- & -

This is the minimum required by case law and no homeschooler should give more since precedence would be gained toward more laws taking away our rights to educate our children as we choose.

[katshu2]

You just need to submit a letter of intent to homeschool and a simple paragraph describing your educational plan.
Here is mine (privatized) all in one simple form for 3 children in 3 different grades.
8/23/2012

To the Superintendent of------Schools,
Here is the Education Plan for --- 2012-2013

This education plan is submitted in accordance with the Charles decision:
-,-,-, will be taught; orthography, reading, writing, the English language and grammar, the history and constitution of the United States, the duties of citizenship, a foreign language, geography, history, social science, mathematics, music, drawing, health education, physical education, good behavior, science, technology, cooking and the arts.
We will be using a variety of materials and resources including but not limited to; Math-U-See Delta, Epsilon, & Zeta Story of the World Vol. 3 & 4, Time-4-Learning, 4th, 5th & 7th grade, Which Way USA, Top Secret Adventures, Hands On Science, Fly with Poetry, co-operative classes, outside teachers for instruction in, Writing, Math, Music & Theory, Physical Education, Performing Arts and much more. Our plan includes making great use of intangible resources, like the internet, museums, field trips, workshops, and the public library on a regular basis.
We will meet or exceed the 180 days/900 hours of instruction required yearly in the public schools since educational experiences can happen 365 days a year every awake hour.
We are of competent ability and good morals since we are both graduates of - High School and are upstanding citizens in our community.
An annual progress report will be submitted upon request at the end of the school year.
We would appreciate a letter of approval from you.

Thank You,



- & -

This is the minimum required by case law and no homeschooler should give more since precedence would be gained toward more laws taking away our rights to educate our children as we choose.

Fantastic! I think this will be a big help for other MA homeschoolers! Thanks so much!