We can’t answer every question for you, but MHA’s members have encountered certain questions many times over the years. Here are some common questions, with answers from experienced homeschooling parents.
Why do families homeschool?
Families homeschool for any number of reasons, but ultimately they do it because they believe it is the best approach for their family. Some families have removed their children from school after difficulties with the school district, or because they felt their children could make better progress at home. Others have never sent their children to school at all. Still others homeschool because of their educational philosophies or religious convictions. There are families homeschooling with gifted children, children with learning challenges, and children remarkably similar to yours. MHA respects each family’s reasons for homeschooling.
How do families homeschool?
Homeschooling takes the tone of the family … your family. Some are structured and formal, others are more casual, and there’s a wide range between the two. You’ll want to read our Different Approaches page for some ideas that may fit you and your children. MHA can assist you on your homeschooling journey, but only your family can decide how you will homeschool. We can help you find curriculum and testing sources, support groups, field trip ideas, and other resources to homeschool children of any age, regardless of the methods you use.
How much time does it take?
Again you would get a different answer from every family. Some set aside “school time” each day, while others use structure for some topics and use games for others, so clocking school time is difficult. Regardless of the methods they use, homeschoolers routinely find that they can accomplish much more at home than they can in the same amount of time at an institutional school. At home, there is little of the “down time” associated with waiting in lines, waiting for others to finish an assignment you’ve already completed, waiting for the teacher to deal with discipline issues, waiting for the next class to start, etc.
Can I homeschool a child with special needs?
Yes. Homeschooling special needs children has become increasingly common. MHA members have homeschooled children with autism, fragile X syndrome, ADHD and other special needs. The reality is that all people learn at a different pace and in different ways. Homeschooling honors that fact by giving parents the freedom to use the methods that work best for each child, accounting for any special needs they may have. For more information on homeschooling special needs children, see MHA’s Special Needs page.
How will I know my children are learning?
You share each day of your children’s education by homeschooling. You will see their successes and their struggles first hand. When you have the opportunity to carefully observe your children, you will know what your children have learned and where they still need work.
Is homeschooling expensive?
It can be, but it really depends on how your family homeschools. Many factors can affect the cost, including what kinds of materials and resources you use, how many children you have, and whether someone in your family will give up paid employment in order to homeschool. If you purchased every “learning package” available, you could spend a fortune! However, you can also provide your children with a marvelous education using free resources found through the public library, museums, and elsewhere in your community. If you have only one child and use inexpensive resources, you may be talking about a few hundred dollars for an entire year. If you decide to buy a packaged curriculum for five children, you could be looking at several thousand dollars over that same year.
What materials should I use?
This can be a tough question to answer, particularly for families new to homeschooling. It’s helpful to know up front that your views on materials are likely to change over time, and that some of the choices you make probably won’t work out. Don’t worry, it happens to all of us! Some families like a prepackaged curriculum. It provides a measure of ease and security, since “everything you need” is supposed to be there. Other families steer clear of such materials, and use the library and other resources to tailor the materials they use to the interests and learning styles of their children. Consider discussing materials with your children. What do they want to do? How do they want to do it? This is one way that families take charge of their education!
Do I need to test my children? If so, how is that done?
The answer to this question depends on the state you live in. Some states do not require homeschooled children to be tested. However, this is the Minnesota Homeschoolers’ Alliance website, and Minnesota is a “testing” state. It requires that every Minnesota homeschooler be assessed annually using “a nationally norm-referenced standardized achievement examination” - in other words, a test!
The test you use, the person administering the test, and the location of the test must be agreed to by the superintendent of your school district. A typical way in which homeschooling parents handle this is to report to their district once a year with a letter or form that gives the name of the test they’re going to use, and states that they (the parents) will administer the test at home. Unless the superintendent promptly objects to those arrangements – which is extremely rare – the parents just give the test at home. You are not required to report the test results to your school district, and we recommend that you do not. This avoids setting any precedent that could later be used to increase the reporting burdens of all Minnesota homeschoolers.
You may want to refer to our Minnesota Law And Forms page, which discusses the MHA Homeschool Reporting Form (PDF). That form will give you an overview of the law regarding testing. MHA’s Member Handbook contains detailed information to walk you through the testing process, including a comprehensive list of test suppliers.
Do homeschooled children need to take the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments, Basic Skills Tests, or Written Composition Test administered to public school students?
No, and we also recommend that you not try to. This avoids setting any precedent that could later be used to increase the testing burdens of all Minnesota homeschoolers.
Are there any differences between homeschooling and “online public schools” that let students work at home?
Yes, there are important differences. A key practical difference is that homeschools are considerably more flexible than public schools, whether online or not. Homeschooling parents typically seek out and use the methods and materials that work best for their children. Public schools have very little ability to tailor instruction to individual students, and must rely on standardized methods and materials. While these work for some students, they result in boredom and frustration for others.
Another key difference is philosophical. A homeschooling family takes direct responsibility for raising and educating its children, while families placing their children in public schools (whether online or not), delegate responsibility for their children to school officials. Neither approach is “right” or “wrong,” but they are certainly different.
I’d love to homeschool my children, but my spouse/partner/relatives/friends are skeptical about this. What should I do?
This can be a significant challenge for some families. It’s important to realize that many concerns about homeschooling are based on ignorance or misinformation. For example, a friend may worry that your children will not have opportunities to form friendships if they do not go to an institutional school. If you can steer that friend to this website or to good books on homeschooling, they will soon realize that homeschoolers participate in community groups, bands, theatrical groups, homeschooling support groups, and many other group activities. There are ample opportunities to form friendships. Others may think your children won’t be able to go to college without a diploma from a traditional high school. Again, there is overwhelming evidence to the contrary. If you can get your local skeptic educated on the facts of homeschooling instead of the myths, you can turn an adversary into an ally. Remember, though, that it takes time to make people comfortable with anything that’s “different,” including homeschooling. Patiently helping someone understand how and why homeschooling works is a great strategy.
What about socialization?
This is a very common question, so we’ve set up a separate page to deal with it. What About Socialization? addresses the academic research, anecdotal evidence, and “common sense” of the socialization question. “Homeschooled” does not mean “home bound.” Your children will interact with other children and adults everywhere they go: libraries, museums, parks, stores, MHA events, family trips, etc. Rest assured your kids will be well socialized.
Will the police think my older children are truant if they’re out by themselves during school hours?
Overall, we’ve found that this is rarely a problem for homeschooling families. We have members whose children were homeschooled all the way from kindergarten through high school, and who never were questioned by the police when out during school hours. On the other hand, we also have members whose children have been questioned by the police. If this is a concern in your family, you may wish to prepare a brief note that your older children can carry with them at all times. Something like this may be helpful:
To Whom It May Concern:
Our [son/daughter], [name], is homeschooled. This means [he/she] will be out in the community during times that institutionally schooled children will be in a school building. [He/She] has our permission to do this. If you have any concerns regarding our [son’s/daughter’s] activities, please call us, [his/her] parents, at [phone number(s)].
Thank you,
[Name of parent(s)]
It may help if you type the document up nicely, but sign it legibly in ink. That way, the police officer will have good reason to believe it’s not something your child just banged out on the word processor so he or she could play hooky for the day!
Is it true that homeschooled teenagers can take college classes while still in high school?
Yes. Minnesota high school juniors and seniors can take college classes for free through the Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) Program. This opportunity is available to all juniors and seniors, whether they attend a public school, private school, or are homeschooled. Many homeschooled students have taken advantage of this program, earning college credits while still in high school. For the details on this marvelous program, see our PSEO page.
Do homeschooled students go on to higher education?
Yes. Virtually all colleges, universities and vocational institutes throughout the country now accept homeschooled students. Most are thrilled to have these intelligent, responsible, self-directed young people and many are actively recruiting them. Whether your teen is headed for college, taking a job, or uncertain of the next move, consider reading Cafi Cohen’s book And What About College? and Grace Llewellyn’s Teenage Liberation Handbook. They are both great resources for teens in their high school years. You’ll find more information about these books and others on our Good Books page, and more college resources on our Interested in College? page.
How do I join the Minnesota Homeschoolers’ Alliance?
It’s easy and inexpensive to join MHA. The MHA Membership Form can be printed from our Join MHA page. The current membership cost is $25 for the first year, and $20 annually thereafter for renewal. The first year’s charge is somewhat higher to cover the cost of duplicating the Member Handbook that is sent to new members. The handbook contains over 100 pages of information tremendously useful to Minnesota homeschoolers. Membership brings many other benefits as well, which are explained in our Membership Benefits section.