Moving!!! Need help on states...
stephanie
hey everyone....we are moving not sure where yet...dh is in military trying to make our list of choices in order....i'm wondering if anyone could give me some advice on what states they know are unschooling friendly ASAP! We have to get this list in....states that i look up on HSLDA site of state laws sound very unfavourable....ridiculous laws!!! i'm in maine right now and this state is very relaxed....we have no strict rules to go by of proving yourself or your children and nobody bothers you.....i'm getting worried that maybe any friendly states aren't even on our list to choose from.
thanks in advance,
panicking and pregnant steph :)
thanks in advance,
panicking and pregnant steph :)
Bekki Kirby
I'm an Army wife in Texas, and I can say this place is EASY. I've never
needed to tell the school district anything... no records need to be kept.
I don't recall specifics, as I looked into it when we got here two years
ago, and a lot has happened since... but, I don't keep any records at all.
Hopefully that's not foolish. Texas is all about people's rights. This is,
after all, where so many religious sects choose to build compounds. :-)
South Carolina was simple, too, but I think *some* records had to be kept.
I left when my oldest was only 6, though. In Kansas I had to officially
notify the state that my home was a private school. Coming up with a name
for that was... special. It was something like the Magical Marauder's
Academy. But after that, I believe I was free to do as I wished. I've
always been too relaxed with it all... hoping no one would ever demand
proof. But I'm sure that if I lived in a state that required attendance
records or a ledger of minutes in each subject, I would have done something.
Bekki
--
The true test of intelligence is not how much we know how to do, but how we
behave when we don't know what to do.
-John Holt
Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your
temper or your self-confidence.
-Robert Frost
Mother of four angels, two pirates, and one TBD
Kayla (10)
Hunter (b. 8/9/03, d. 8/22/03)
Jo (misc 1/15/04)
Jared (4)
Camelia (b. 12/16/07, d. 12/10/07)
Hope/Chance (misc 11/25/08)
Capt. Jack probably arriving 12/09
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
needed to tell the school district anything... no records need to be kept.
I don't recall specifics, as I looked into it when we got here two years
ago, and a lot has happened since... but, I don't keep any records at all.
Hopefully that's not foolish. Texas is all about people's rights. This is,
after all, where so many religious sects choose to build compounds. :-)
South Carolina was simple, too, but I think *some* records had to be kept.
I left when my oldest was only 6, though. In Kansas I had to officially
notify the state that my home was a private school. Coming up with a name
for that was... special. It was something like the Magical Marauder's
Academy. But after that, I believe I was free to do as I wished. I've
always been too relaxed with it all... hoping no one would ever demand
proof. But I'm sure that if I lived in a state that required attendance
records or a ledger of minutes in each subject, I would have done something.
Bekki
--
The true test of intelligence is not how much we know how to do, but how we
behave when we don't know what to do.
-John Holt
Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your
temper or your self-confidence.
-Robert Frost
Mother of four angels, two pirates, and one TBD
Kayla (10)
Hunter (b. 8/9/03, d. 8/22/03)
Jo (misc 1/15/04)
Jared (4)
Camelia (b. 12/16/07, d. 12/10/07)
Hope/Chance (misc 11/25/08)
Capt. Jack probably arriving 12/09
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Karen Swanay
Air Force Wife here...Alabama was HORRID!! But Florida is very easy. What
branch are you and what is his job?
Karen
"I argue that the Talmud is about the constant struggle to understand."
~Arthur Hertzberg
branch are you and what is his job?
Karen
"I argue that the Talmud is about the constant struggle to understand."
~Arthur Hertzberg
On Thu, Oct 8, 2009 at 1:17 PM, stephanie <scruffybc@...> wrote:
>
>
> hey everyone....we are moving not sure where yet...dh is in military trying
> to make our list of choices in order....i'm wondering if anyone could give
> me some advice on what states they know are unschooling friendly ASAP! We
> have to get this list in....states that i look up on HSLDA site of state
> laws sound very unfavourable....ridiculous laws!!! i'm in maine right now
> and this state is very relaxed....we have no strict rules to go by of
> proving yourself or your children and nobody bothers you.....i'm getting
> worried that maybe any friendly states aren't even on our list to choose
> from.
>
> thanks in advance,
> panicking and pregnant steph :)
>
>
>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Robin Krest
Florida is fairly easy. A letter of intent sent school district to begin, keep a portfolio that may be subject to review, then every year you need to do one of the following (details may vary by county):
Option 1. A teacher selected by the parent may evaluate the student's educational progress upon review of
the portfolio and discussion with the student. The teacher must hold a valid regular Florida
Certificate to teach academic subjects at the elementary or secondary level. A signed written
report completed by the certified teacher must be submitted to the superintendent. A copy of the
evaluator's valid Florida teaching certificate must be attached to the report; or,
Option 2. The student may take any nationally normed student achievement test used by the district and
administered by a certified teacher; or,
Option 3. The student may take a state student assessment test administered by a certified teacher.
Pinellas County uses the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT); or,
Option 4. The student may be evaluated by an individual holding a valid, active private psychologist's
license; or,
Option 5. The student may be evaluated with any other valid measurement tool as mutually agreed upon
by the superintendent and the student's parent or guardian.
OR enroll in a private umbrella school and follow that school's requirements.
Robin K.
---------- Original Message ----------
From: "stephanie" <scruffybc@...>
To: [email protected]
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Moving!!! Need help on states...
Date: Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:17:15 -0000
hey everyone....we are moving not sure where yet...dh is in military trying to make our list of choices in order....i'm wondering if anyone could give me some advice on what states they know are unschooling friendly ASAP! We have to get this list in....states that i look up on HSLDA site of state laws sound very unfavourable....ridiculous laws!!! i'm in maine right now and this state is very relaxed....we have no strict rules to go by of proving yourself or your children and nobody bothers you.....i'm getting worried that maybe any friendly states aren't even on our list to choose from.
thanks in advance,
panicking and pregnant steph :)
------------------------------------
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Option 1. A teacher selected by the parent may evaluate the student's educational progress upon review of
the portfolio and discussion with the student. The teacher must hold a valid regular Florida
Certificate to teach academic subjects at the elementary or secondary level. A signed written
report completed by the certified teacher must be submitted to the superintendent. A copy of the
evaluator's valid Florida teaching certificate must be attached to the report; or,
Option 2. The student may take any nationally normed student achievement test used by the district and
administered by a certified teacher; or,
Option 3. The student may take a state student assessment test administered by a certified teacher.
Pinellas County uses the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT); or,
Option 4. The student may be evaluated by an individual holding a valid, active private psychologist's
license; or,
Option 5. The student may be evaluated with any other valid measurement tool as mutually agreed upon
by the superintendent and the student's parent or guardian.
OR enroll in a private umbrella school and follow that school's requirements.
Robin K.
---------- Original Message ----------
From: "stephanie" <scruffybc@...>
To: [email protected]
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Moving!!! Need help on states...
Date: Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:17:15 -0000
hey everyone....we are moving not sure where yet...dh is in military trying to make our list of choices in order....i'm wondering if anyone could give me some advice on what states they know are unschooling friendly ASAP! We have to get this list in....states that i look up on HSLDA site of state laws sound very unfavourable....ridiculous laws!!! i'm in maine right now and this state is very relaxed....we have no strict rules to go by of proving yourself or your children and nobody bothers you.....i'm getting worried that maybe any friendly states aren't even on our list to choose from.
thanks in advance,
panicking and pregnant steph :)
------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
____________________________________________________________
Obama Raises Pell Grants
Get Your Degree with Government Grants and Scholarships!
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/c?cp=JBxmmid8um_UflLKMY4rQwAAJ1BZLzMoXapKW1x17JJ2o3mHAAQAAAAFAAAAAFx7Tj4AAAMlAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABI2RwAAAAA=
Bekki Kirby
Oh, I just remembered... Georgia apparently requires some testing. My
oldest was preschool age when we were there, so I never had to know more.
But I've avoided going back for that reason.
Bekki
--
The true test of intelligence is not how much we know how to do, but how we
behave when we don't know what to do.
-John Holt
Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your
temper or your self-confidence.
-Robert Frost
Mother of four angels, two pirates, and one TBD
Kayla (10)
Hunter (b. 8/9/03, d. 8/22/03)
Jo (misc 1/15/04)
Jared (4)
Camelia (b. 12/16/07, d. 12/10/07)
Hope/Chance (misc 11/25/08)
Capt. Jack probably arriving 12/09
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
oldest was preschool age when we were there, so I never had to know more.
But I've avoided going back for that reason.
Bekki
--
The true test of intelligence is not how much we know how to do, but how we
behave when we don't know what to do.
-John Holt
Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your
temper or your self-confidence.
-Robert Frost
Mother of four angels, two pirates, and one TBD
Kayla (10)
Hunter (b. 8/9/03, d. 8/22/03)
Jo (misc 1/15/04)
Jared (4)
Camelia (b. 12/16/07, d. 12/10/07)
Hope/Chance (misc 11/25/08)
Capt. Jack probably arriving 12/09
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Debra Rossing
CT and NJ are easy - In both cases, since your kids have never been in
school there, you simply move in and start living. No need to notify
anyone about anything.
CA is pretty simple also if you file the R4 affidavit to make yourself a
private school
TX you file a one-time "I'm a private school" type form and that's it
OK has no paperwork either - homeschooling is part of the state
Constitution as an "alternate" form of education (makes sense, since
when the OK state Constitution was written it was still lots of "Little
House on the Prairie" type situations where it was miles and miles from
one homestead to the next, no way to have a 'school' in many areas)
(Also, use NHEN to find laws or google <state> homeschool laws to find
local/state groups who explain how it is 'on the ground', not HSLDA,
they tend to want to make things look hard so that people will pay them)
Deb R
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school there, you simply move in and start living. No need to notify
anyone about anything.
CA is pretty simple also if you file the R4 affidavit to make yourself a
private school
TX you file a one-time "I'm a private school" type form and that's it
OK has no paperwork either - homeschooling is part of the state
Constitution as an "alternate" form of education (makes sense, since
when the OK state Constitution was written it was still lots of "Little
House on the Prairie" type situations where it was miles and miles from
one homestead to the next, no way to have a 'school' in many areas)
(Also, use NHEN to find laws or google <state> homeschool laws to find
local/state groups who explain how it is 'on the ground', not HSLDA,
they tend to want to make things look hard so that people will pay them)
Deb R
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the system manager.
This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept by
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Debra Rossing
> OR enroll in a private umbrella school and follow that school'srequirements.
And there are some Florida umbrellas set up specifically for unschoolers
- a small enrollment fee per family and you send an email with your
'attendance' once a month or quarter (as specified by the umbrella) and
that's it.
Deb R
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[email protected]
You have your TX information incorrect. You do not have to file anything in
TX. You automatically qualify as a private school in TX. There is absolutely
nothing that has to be done if you homeschool in the state of TX. The school
districts cannot legally bother you nor can anyone else. TX is one of the
easiest states to homeschool in.
Connie
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Debra Rossing
Sent: Friday, October 09, 2009 7:43 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Re:Moving!!! Need help on states...
TX you file a one-time "I'm a private school" type form and that's it
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TX. You automatically qualify as a private school in TX. There is absolutely
nothing that has to be done if you homeschool in the state of TX. The school
districts cannot legally bother you nor can anyone else. TX is one of the
easiest states to homeschool in.
Connie
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Debra Rossing
Sent: Friday, October 09, 2009 7:43 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Re:Moving!!! Need help on states...
TX you file a one-time "I'm a private school" type form and that's it
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Tessa
Washington is great also. I don't think there are many rules at all.
----- Original Message -----
From: Debra Rossing
To: [email protected]
Sent: Friday, October 09, 2009 5:44 AM
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Re: Moving!!! Need help on states...
> OR enroll in a private umbrella school and follow that school's
requirements.
And there are some Florida umbrellas set up specifically for unschoolers
- a small enrollment fee per family and you send an email with your
'attendance' once a month or quarter (as specified by the umbrella) and
that's it.
Deb R
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Catherine
Alaska is about the most homeschool friendly state, and unschool-friendly as well. Currently, I believe it is the only state where the burden of proof lies upon the state, not the parents. You don't even have to report that you're homeschooling, you can simply do it with no oversight whatsoever.
That said, many use correspondance-type programs that will allow you to purchase materials and pay for lessons (swimming, ballet, music, etc) for your homeschooled children. With that you are required to do a LITTLE bit of reporting (mine is done online) once a quarter and there are years the kids have to do standardized testing...we haven't hit that grade yet (I know 3rd is the first year, don't remember the next). There are various programs in the state, each with their own set of rules. If you want to consider Alaska as well as doing the little bit of reporting/testing to get the $1600+ per homeschooled child, I can tell you which program is most unschool-friendly, etc.
Best of luck!
That said, many use correspondance-type programs that will allow you to purchase materials and pay for lessons (swimming, ballet, music, etc) for your homeschooled children. With that you are required to do a LITTLE bit of reporting (mine is done online) once a quarter and there are years the kids have to do standardized testing...we haven't hit that grade yet (I know 3rd is the first year, don't remember the next). There are various programs in the state, each with their own set of rules. If you want to consider Alaska as well as doing the little bit of reporting/testing to get the $1600+ per homeschooled child, I can tell you which program is most unschool-friendly, etc.
Best of luck!
sarahrandom78
I'm in California,and so far no problems. I did file as a private school, but other than immunizations, which you can get a waiver for, I only need to keep an attendance record. Um, I'm pretty sure we learn every day, so that isn't too difficult :) What branch of the service is your husband in? Mine was just medically retired from the Marine Corps. Camp Pendleton is awesome!
--- In [email protected], "stephanie" <scruffybc@...> wrote:
>
> hey everyone....we are moving not sure where yet...dh is in military trying to make our list of choices in order....i'm wondering if anyone could give me some advice on what states they know are unschooling friendly ASAP! We have to get this list in....states that i look up on HSLDA site of state laws sound very unfavourable....ridiculous laws!!! i'm in maine right now and this state is very relaxed....we have no strict rules to go by of proving yourself or your children and nobody bothers you.....i'm getting worried that maybe any friendly states aren't even on our list to choose from.
>
> thanks in advance,
> panicking and pregnant steph :)
>
amberlee_b
Step 1: Don't Panic!!!! :)
Michigan is great, nothing to file no one to report to....not much in the way of jobs....but depending on where....not sure they have much in military there anymore. Our son's girlfriend is from TX and loves that they don't have to report anything there either. I think that is about it for places you don't have to report anything to. PA can be a pain depending on your district, and there are the evals and portfolios...unless you are in Pittsburgh proper where all you need is the evaluators letter. Hope this helps!
Michigan is great, nothing to file no one to report to....not much in the way of jobs....but depending on where....not sure they have much in military there anymore. Our son's girlfriend is from TX and loves that they don't have to report anything there either. I think that is about it for places you don't have to report anything to. PA can be a pain depending on your district, and there are the evals and portfolios...unless you are in Pittsburgh proper where all you need is the evaluators letter. Hope this helps!
--- In [email protected], "stephanie" <scruffybc@...> wrote:
>
> hey everyone....we are moving not sure where yet...dh is in military trying to make our list of choices in order....i'm wondering if anyone could give me some advice on what states they know are unschooling friendly ASAP! We have to get this list in....states that i look up on HSLDA site of state laws sound very unfavourable....ridiculous laws!!! i'm in maine right now and this state is very relaxed....we have no strict rules to go by of proving yourself or your children and nobody bothers you.....i'm getting worried that maybe any friendly states aren't even on our list to choose from.
>
> thanks in advance,
> panicking and pregnant steph :)
>
Beth Williams
In Maryland you can join an umbrella and submit a form to them at the end of
the year re: what you did in each subject and they deal w/ the county for
you OR you can get reviewed by your county reviewer directly. There are a
fair amount of unschoolers here, I know some that do both. Sometimes a
reviewer will tell you that you need to work on an area more, but I haven't
known anyone to ever have a really hard time. Beth
the year re: what you did in each subject and they deal w/ the county for
you OR you can get reviewed by your county reviewer directly. There are a
fair amount of unschoolers here, I know some that do both. Sometimes a
reviewer will tell you that you need to work on an area more, but I haven't
known anyone to ever have a really hard time. Beth
On Fri, Oct 9, 2009 at 4:13 PM, amberlee_b <amberlee16@...> wrote:
>
>
> Step 1: Don't Panic!!!! :)
>
> Michigan is great, nothing to file no one to report to....not much in the
> way of jobs....but depending on where....not sure they have much in military
> there anymore. Our son's girlfriend is from TX and loves that they don't
> have to report anything there either. I think that is about it for places
> you don't have to report anything to. PA can be a pain depending on your
> district, and there are the evals and portfolios...unless you are in
> Pittsburgh proper where all you need is the evaluators letter. Hope this
> helps!
>
>
> --- In [email protected]<unschoolingbasics%40yahoogroups.com>,
> "stephanie" <scruffybc@...> wrote:
> >
> > hey everyone....we are moving not sure where yet...dh is in military
> trying to make our list of choices in order....i'm wondering if anyone could
> give me some advice on what states they know are unschooling friendly ASAP!
> We have to get this list in....states that i look up on HSLDA site of state
> laws sound very unfavourable....ridiculous laws!!! i'm in maine right now
> and this state is very relaxed....we have no strict rules to go by of
> proving yourself or your children and nobody bothers you.....i'm getting
> worried that maybe any friendly states aren't even on our list to choose
> from.
> >
> > thanks in advance,
> > panicking and pregnant steph :)
> >
>
>
>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
LR
New Jersey!! J Yea the state has some superfund site issues. but unschooling
in NJ is easy. Mississippi is easy too. What branch of the military? Navy? I
am from Maine originally. You must be in a decent district, I know others
who have been not so lucky in Maine. Of course any of the states with no
notice requirements is great. Or just intent notice requirements. When we
were looking at PCS'ing I got one of the maps from USAA that has all the
different bases on it and compared it to the map on the HSLDA site (pretty
much the only thing I used them for). I looked for groups on yahoo and other
boards sites specific to each state and inquired of people who had
experience in each state. Some states seem to have strict regs but different
districts may be less strict about enforcement, you know?
There are lots of unschoolers in NJ. most of them live a bit of a drive from
me, but they are there and I get to hang out with them occasionally.
I see lots of other posts too. I'm, in digest mode and way behind these
days. good luck and happy moving!
LisaR
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
in NJ is easy. Mississippi is easy too. What branch of the military? Navy? I
am from Maine originally. You must be in a decent district, I know others
who have been not so lucky in Maine. Of course any of the states with no
notice requirements is great. Or just intent notice requirements. When we
were looking at PCS'ing I got one of the maps from USAA that has all the
different bases on it and compared it to the map on the HSLDA site (pretty
much the only thing I used them for). I looked for groups on yahoo and other
boards sites specific to each state and inquired of people who had
experience in each state. Some states seem to have strict regs but different
districts may be less strict about enforcement, you know?
There are lots of unschoolers in NJ. most of them live a bit of a drive from
me, but they are there and I get to hang out with them occasionally.
I see lots of other posts too. I'm, in digest mode and way behind these
days. good luck and happy moving!
LisaR
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]