Homeschooling: An Educational Option That Many Adoptive Parents Are Choosing

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Gigi: There is a lot of controvesry about home schooling and socialization. Could you give us some understanding of why more families are taking the rout?

rosalief: it's my understanding now families can have their children home schooled by other families. Is this correct?

Ms Doxey: Before I begin I would like to say that all foster families will need to speak with their caseworker if they would like to homeschool.

Ms Doxey: In the state of GA. the Foster parent can request a Waiver in order to homeschool. The caseworker will know the process to follow.

Ms Doxey: Yes GiGi, socialization is a question that many homeschoolers are asked.

cindy: Since the children aren't theirs do they need a degree to teach them?

Ms Doxey: There are a number of activities for homeschoolers to be involved in, such as church activities, the Y.M.C.A., other sports in the community, and so on.

chatadmin: Laveda How do you families who opt to homeschool handle the challenges of providing sufficient socialization for their child?

Ms Doxey: Rosalief, in the state of GA. only the parent can homeschool. The child can join in with other children who may be a part of a homeschooling group.

Ms Doxey: In GA. the parent who homeschools only needs to have a high school diploma.

cindy: if only a parent can teach, what do the foster parents have to do to qualify?

rosalief: a parent that chooses to homeschool, how are they to get on board with the curriculum for the children?

Gigi: My Husband and I home school out special needs son. Our reasions are not necessarily the school system but the one on one that he would not receive in the class room. What are other reasions someone might want to homeschool.

Ms Doxey: A foster family would need to discuss their desire to homeschool with their caseworker.

Ms Doxey: For the Foster & Adoptive parent it may also be to foster good self esteem, attachment, and to remedy some of the poor social skills the child may come with.

JudyR7: How can a parent best evaluate the curriculum that is out there and make the best choice for their child?

rosalief: laveda have you heard of many children in foster care in homeschool programs?

Ms Doxey: Today there are a variety of curriculums to choose from. Many can be found online at various websites, such as John Holt's website for unschooling.

Ms Doxey: It is best tolearn the child's learning style before choosing a curriculum.

Ms Doxey: The homeschooling fairs are a good place to review the various curriculums on the market.

Gigi: Some of the families in our group teach via satilite. Bob Jones U. is one for exampel.

rosalief: how does one get started if homeschool is the best choice for their child? Also, how do you get the board of education involved or do you?

Ms Doxey: For adoptive & foster parents homeschooling allows a child time to bond with his family.

rosalief: also what a huge undertaking for a family. Is there support system set up for families?

cathy: do you have to have a degree in special education to home school a child with a learning disability? ?

Ms Doxey: Also, many children come into care with significant gaps in their education. Homeschooling allows the child to move at their own pace.

Ms Doxey: All of you have very good questions. I don't know if I will be able to answer all of them. Feel free to contact me at the Center to get all of your questions answered.

Ms Doxey: Homeschooling is a huge sacrifice for families, but has its rewards.

Gigi: I can answer the one about the degree and the special ed and LD, its no!

Ms Doxey: For a child with a learning disability, it can make a world of difference. Parents only need to have a high school diploma to teach the child with ld.

Ms Doxey: We have some very good articles at the Center on homeschooling a child with special needs.

Ms Doxey: There are support groups for families who choose to homeschool.

cathy: this is great information to pass on to parents that are considering home school a child with a LD

cindy: would you recommend home school one of the children and sending others to public school?

Ms Doxey: There are homeschooling groups throughout GA. They can be found via the fairs, going to the various homeschooling websites, & talking with other parents.

Gigi: We had to go to the Board of Ed. and let them know that we were home schooling. They provided a list of Stores that catered to home schooling needs. From there we found out about groups and lost of other things.

Ms Doxey: Since each child is different, the parent has to decide what is best for each child and what will best meet the needs of the child.

Ms Doxey: Most newly placed children benefit from some creative cooperation between home and school.

andreas: In Bartow County there is the Bartow County Home School Association--we helped start that support group!

Gigi: We also did a trial HS over summer break to makesure we would work for us. I think that really helped us see that we could do it.

cindy: also, you need to let the board of ed know if you are going to home school your teen as if they are not registered as a home schooler or in a school they will not be able to get their drivers license

Ms Doxey: most school districts want parents to submit an attendance sheet each month.

rosalief: i have heard there are test the family will have to take to make sure they are on track as for grade level. Is that true?

Ms Doxey: All of you, like GiGi & Andreas who have homeschooled are sharing some very good information too.

Ms Doxey: No, there are no tests that I am aware of. Most parents are concerned about their child's academic progress so they may get academic testing on their own.

Gigi: From what I know, Just the typical standered testing. I think 3ed and 8th gread. I'm not sure though it may vary in different counties.

andreas: Our daughter did have to take the standardized tests at the time other students did.

Ms Doxey: If the student wants to go on to College then he/she must take the ACT or SAT tests.

Ms Doxey: I homeschooled my son and there were no tests other than those required for everyone to get into College.

Ms Doxey: Should a homeschooled student want to attend a State school they must take the GED. That serves as a h.s. diploma.

Gigi: Wow!! Time has gone by so fast. This has been great. Thanks Laveda for all your information and thanks to every one for all the questions. This is a big topic and a lot of people are interested in this.

Ms Doxey: Just as most adoptive & foster parents are finding that the child thrives in many ways from receiving individual attention and a comitted, involved teacher.

cindy: the school here that does the GED testing also offers caps, gown, pictures and a prom, they have a graduation just like the high schools, also, they give the students a grant for $500 that can be used at any Ga college or tech school

Homeschooling: An Educational Option That Many Adoptive Parents Are Choosing - Laveda M. Doxey, LCSW

Monday, the 25th of October 2004