Is unschooling legal?
Beth Mouser
I live in Idaho and I am wondering whether it is legal to unschool
here. Homeschooling laws are very lax here, but I'm not sure about
outright unschooling. I have been transitioning to unschooling and
now only have my kids do math. However, I still read to them in the
morning...historical stuff as each year we have gone through a
historical period. When I say "who wants to hear me read such and
such?" and sit down with my coffe, they are agreeable and want to
listen, so I consider this pretty much unschooling.
Anyway, I am afraid to admit to other moms that I am unschooling.
For some reason, all of my boys' friends are in school. I worry the
moms would be very upset that I'm not "teaching" them and the
friendship may be jeoparized. However, if I am unschooling, I don't
want to live a lie. Right now, people will make little comments
like "I'll call you in the afternoon because I know you're getting
your schooling done in the morning", which is what I have done for
years. They ask about what curriculum I use and how do I get all of
the curriculum done, etc. I am thinking I should ask my boys for
input, but it seems like I am placing a burden on them as they won't
want to risk losing their friends and they won't want to tell me to
lie because they are honest. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Beth
here. Homeschooling laws are very lax here, but I'm not sure about
outright unschooling. I have been transitioning to unschooling and
now only have my kids do math. However, I still read to them in the
morning...historical stuff as each year we have gone through a
historical period. When I say "who wants to hear me read such and
such?" and sit down with my coffe, they are agreeable and want to
listen, so I consider this pretty much unschooling.
Anyway, I am afraid to admit to other moms that I am unschooling.
For some reason, all of my boys' friends are in school. I worry the
moms would be very upset that I'm not "teaching" them and the
friendship may be jeoparized. However, if I am unschooling, I don't
want to live a lie. Right now, people will make little comments
like "I'll call you in the afternoon because I know you're getting
your schooling done in the morning", which is what I have done for
years. They ask about what curriculum I use and how do I get all of
the curriculum done, etc. I am thinking I should ask my boys for
input, but it seems like I am placing a burden on them as they won't
want to risk losing their friends and they won't want to tell me to
lie because they are honest. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Beth
Solé
http://www.homeedmag.com/lawregs/idaho.html
Maybe this helps
Johanna
Am 08.10.2006 um 06:26 schrieb Beth Mouser:
Maybe this helps
Johanna
Am 08.10.2006 um 06:26 schrieb Beth Mouser:
> I live in Idaho and I am wondering whether it is legal to unschool
> here. Homeschooling laws are very lax here, but I'm not sure about
> outright unschooling. I have been transitioning to unschooling and
> now only have my kids do math. However, I still read to them in the
> morning...historical stuff as each year we have gone through a
> historical period. When I say "who wants to hear me read such and
> such?" and sit down with my coffe, they are agreeable and want to
> listen, so I consider this pretty much unschooling.
>
> Anyway, I am afraid to admit to other moms that I am unschooling.
> For some reason, all of my boys' friends are in school. I worry the
> moms would be very upset that I'm not "teaching" them and the
> friendship may be jeoparized. However, if I am unschooling, I don't
> want to live a lie. Right now, people will make little comments
> like "I'll call you in the afternoon because I know you're getting
> your schooling done in the morning", which is what I have done for
> years. They ask about what curriculum I use and how do I get all of
> the curriculum done, etc. I am thinking I should ask my boys for
> input, but it seems like I am placing a burden on them as they won't
> want to risk losing their friends and they won't want to tell me to
> lie because they are honest. Any ideas?
>
> Thanks,
> Beth
>
>
>
[email protected]
In a message dated 10/8/2006 12:28:15 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
mouser4@... writes:
Right now, people will make little comments
like "I'll call you in the afternoon because I know you're getting
your schooling done in the morning",
*****************
I find that simple is best. So "OK". Or if you want might want to hear
from them earlier "It is fine if you call earlier, I'll let you know if I can't
talk". If they question that, say "we are finding ourselves more flexible
these days".
When asked about curriculum, I say "Oh, I find that a more individualized
approach works better." I might follow up with something about them being
expensive, or that the internet opens us up to so many possibilities, or that the
children are thriving. I might say something about homeschooling being such
a common thing these days that there are far more resources than a pricey
box of curriculum.
Or, you might say when asked how you are getting it done "the boys happily
learn at their own pace, at home we just don't have to worry about time
constraints!"
All said with a confident smile on your face. You might find yourself
spouting on about unschooling at some point. :)
Unfortunately, your friendships might adjust a bit. But mostly it will be
because *you* are tired of the school talk.
As for your boys, I have no idea. At this point, my kids don't know any
different than to say they play all day and wonder why someone would think
otherwise. <g>
Leslie in SC
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
mouser4@... writes:
Right now, people will make little comments
like "I'll call you in the afternoon because I know you're getting
your schooling done in the morning",
*****************
I find that simple is best. So "OK". Or if you want might want to hear
from them earlier "It is fine if you call earlier, I'll let you know if I can't
talk". If they question that, say "we are finding ourselves more flexible
these days".
When asked about curriculum, I say "Oh, I find that a more individualized
approach works better." I might follow up with something about them being
expensive, or that the internet opens us up to so many possibilities, or that the
children are thriving. I might say something about homeschooling being such
a common thing these days that there are far more resources than a pricey
box of curriculum.
Or, you might say when asked how you are getting it done "the boys happily
learn at their own pace, at home we just don't have to worry about time
constraints!"
All said with a confident smile on your face. You might find yourself
spouting on about unschooling at some point. :)
Unfortunately, your friendships might adjust a bit. But mostly it will be
because *you* are tired of the school talk.
As for your boys, I have no idea. At this point, my kids don't know any
different than to say they play all day and wonder why someone would think
otherwise. <g>
Leslie in SC
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Alice
--- In [email protected], "Beth Mouser" <mouser4@...>
wrote:
unschool in! It is perfectly legal. All Idaho requires is that the
children receive a "comparable education" but I couldn't find any
definition of what that means exactly. As you already know, Idaho
doesn't require any portfolios, testing, or anything. As far as I can
tell from reading the laws and talking to other homeschoolers, you
just let the school know that you are going to homeschool your kids
with a "letter of intent" and you're done. If they have never gone to
school or are already homeschooling, then you are already done with that.
But maybe what you are saying is that you are worried someone will
question you? I can understand that! To stave off my own fears and
Parental Panic Attacks, I keep a log of what the kids are doing. I
also hang on to things they have done or take a picture of it, if it
is something that won't fit into a file. This isn't really part of
the unschooling philosophy nor is it required by Idaho law, but it
helps me feel safe. I do occasionally worry that someone will decide
I am doing "nothing" with my kids and send the authorities over to
check us out. By keeping a daily log/journal of our activities, I
have something to show the authorities if the come along. Plus, it is
kind of fun. I am thinking of creating "memory scrapbooks" for each
kid and maybe even their own blogs too. (I want to emphasize here that
this is all something that I do for my own peace of mind and my kids
are for the most part oblivious to it. And I never force them into
activities just so I can get it logged - geez, that would not be
unschooling.)
I don't have any helpful advice for not being able to speak about it
to others because I am exactly the same way! Even to other
homeschoolers, I am very cautious about how I describe what we do and
I avoid the word "unschool" like the plague. Everyone up here
schools-at-home or does the virtual academy. They automatically
assume I either do Abeka or IDVA, so I just say, "We do more of
child-led learning instead of boxed curriculum learning." I know, I
am a wuss!
hope that helps,
-Alice
wrote:
>Hi, Beth, I am up in North Idaho. I can't think of an easier state to
> I live in Idaho and I am wondering whether it is legal to unschool
> here. Homeschooling laws are very lax here, but I'm not sure about
> outright unschooling.
unschool in! It is perfectly legal. All Idaho requires is that the
children receive a "comparable education" but I couldn't find any
definition of what that means exactly. As you already know, Idaho
doesn't require any portfolios, testing, or anything. As far as I can
tell from reading the laws and talking to other homeschoolers, you
just let the school know that you are going to homeschool your kids
with a "letter of intent" and you're done. If they have never gone to
school or are already homeschooling, then you are already done with that.
But maybe what you are saying is that you are worried someone will
question you? I can understand that! To stave off my own fears and
Parental Panic Attacks, I keep a log of what the kids are doing. I
also hang on to things they have done or take a picture of it, if it
is something that won't fit into a file. This isn't really part of
the unschooling philosophy nor is it required by Idaho law, but it
helps me feel safe. I do occasionally worry that someone will decide
I am doing "nothing" with my kids and send the authorities over to
check us out. By keeping a daily log/journal of our activities, I
have something to show the authorities if the come along. Plus, it is
kind of fun. I am thinking of creating "memory scrapbooks" for each
kid and maybe even their own blogs too. (I want to emphasize here that
this is all something that I do for my own peace of mind and my kids
are for the most part oblivious to it. And I never force them into
activities just so I can get it logged - geez, that would not be
unschooling.)
I don't have any helpful advice for not being able to speak about it
to others because I am exactly the same way! Even to other
homeschoolers, I am very cautious about how I describe what we do and
I avoid the word "unschool" like the plague. Everyone up here
schools-at-home or does the virtual academy. They automatically
assume I either do Abeka or IDVA, so I just say, "We do more of
child-led learning instead of boxed curriculum learning." I know, I
am a wuss!
hope that helps,
-Alice
Michelle Leifur Reid
On 10/8/06, Alice <thesackmans@...> wrote:
then defend) unschooling to people who have NO understanding of it at
all. :-D I'm sure even our "pros" do the same thing.
Oh, and because Abeka is developed here in Pensacola people
automatically assume that is what I use. I get it all the time. "Oh,
you homeschool? I suppose you use Abeka." (sigh)
Michelle
> They automaticallyNah, not a wuss. It's just so much easier than trying to explain (and
> assume I either do Abeka or IDVA, so I just say, "We do more of
> child-led learning instead of boxed curriculum learning." I know, I
> am a wuss!
>
then defend) unschooling to people who have NO understanding of it at
all. :-D I'm sure even our "pros" do the same thing.
Oh, and because Abeka is developed here in Pensacola people
automatically assume that is what I use. I get it all the time. "Oh,
you homeschool? I suppose you use Abeka." (sigh)
Michelle