- A Virginia certified teacher (known as tutor) may teach his/her own or another parents’ child in a homeschool setting; and
- A guardian or other person having control or charge of a child may homeschool the child.
Federal Department of Education Looks to Create New Accreditation Rules
The federal Department of Education’s recent move to create unheard of authority over ALL colleges—public and private—has left college administrators scrambling to figure out what new accreditation rules they may be required to follow. If adopted, the proposed regulations would go into effect November 1, 2010.
This is an unprecedented attempt by the federal government to force states to create new agencies to regulate colleges and universities. This additional layer of bureaucracy will require colleges to submit to more regulations and supervision by state and federal officials. Before the 87-page regulations, called “Program Integrity Issues,” were proposed, colleges were typically accredited by independent accrediting agencies. Federal control over colleges has never been attempted before.
Should homeschool families be concerned?
There are several areas of serious concern to homeschoolers: The regulations will include a federal definition of “credit hour,” as well as new procedures to evaluate the validity of a student’s high school diploma for purposes of obtaining federal financial aid.
How will this affect homeschoolers? Will homeschooled students with non-accredited diplomas still be eligible for federal student financial aid?
As soon as I read the new regulations, I contacted HSLDA’s director of federal relations, Will Estrada, and HSLDA’s president, Mike Smith. They explained that homeschoolers have been getting federal financial aid because of an exception clause in the federal law. While this is not the ideal situation and HSLDA would like to change it in the future, this means homeschoolers are exempt from the new federal diploma accreditation regulations.
Be sure to use the self-certifying option
I was greatly relieved to learn that on the FAFSA form, if a homeschooler checks they were “Homeschooled,” then their high school completion is self-certified and nothing else will be required of the homeschooled student or college. However, if the homeschooled student checks “High School Diploma,” he will have to give the name of his high school, and the college will be required to see if the high school is on the “accredited” list.
As long as homeschoolers check “Homeschooled” on the FAFSA form, they should have no problem in applying for federal student financial aid. HEAV will continue to monitor this situation and keep you posted.
If you’d like to learn more about these regulations and what you can do, see this Denver Post article and this HSLDA E-lert.
Yvonne Bunn @ October 28, 2010 | Blogroll, General, Legislative | Comments (0)
Homeschool Q&A: Can I Begin Now?
This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions HEAV has received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers!
Q. I’ve decided I want to homeschool my child. Is it too late to begin? What do I need to do to take him out of school?
A. Yes, you can homeschool now. You may begin homeschooling after the August 15th deadline if you have recently moved into a school division or if you decide to begin homeschooling after the school year has begun. If you begin now, it’s important to understand the Virginia law and the choices you have. Visit the law section of the HEAV website for complete information, as well as links to the actual statute and tips on what you need to know. For a comprehensive overview of your legal choices, be sure to view the Law Flowchart.
Here’s what you need to do.
1. Write a letter of intent OR download, print, and complete a copy of the Notice of Intent to Provide Home Instruction form. If you have questions about the Notice of Intent, look at our newly updated Notice of Intent FAQs. If you don’t find the answers you need, be sure to give me a call at 804-278-9200, or send an e-mail to support@heav.org.
2. Include a description of your curriculum with the Notice of Intent. If this is not possible, you have 30 days to select your curriculum and provide a curriculum description. The law requires limited documentation of curriculum—just a description. To comply, you may write a brief description of each subject you intend to study during the year, or you may simply attach a list of subjects to be taught and the textbook titles or resources you plan to use. Your curriculum is not evaluated or approved by the superintendent. You can purchase new or used curriculum at some book stores depending on the area in which you live. The Internet is also a good source for researching and buying curriculum after the school year has begun. To help get you get started, HEAV has a limited list of curriculum resources here.
3. Notify your division superintendent. You can mail or hand-deliver your Notice of Intent and curriculum description. If you mail your NOI, send it “return/receipt” so you have a record of the date it was received. If you hand-deliver it to your superintendent’s office, ask for a receipt. For your convenience, here is the contact information for local division superintendents.
4. Withdraw your child from school after you have evidence your NOI has been received. If your child is attending a government school, file your Notice of Intent or letter before you withdraw him from school; this will prevent the possibility of confusion. After your division superintendent has received your NOI or letter, you may begin homeschooling. You do not have to wait for a response from the superintendent in order to begin. You are not asking or waiting for the superintendent’s “permission” to homeschool. You are notifying the superintendent of your intent as the law requires. There is no waiting period.
5. Contact a local support group in your area. HEAV networks with more than 200 support groups throughout the state. You can find a list of groups and contact information here. Many support groups provide group activities, field trips, and sometimes co-op classes for students. Experienced parents in the group can also offer encouragement as you get started.
6. Find some helpful resources!
These are some of the very best, practical books on homeschooling that may help you as you begin:
The Virginia Homeschool Manual: A Comprehensive Guide to Home Education in Virginia
One of the most comprehensive resources available to Virginia homeschoolers is the Virginia Homeschool Manual. It will help you homeschool from pre-school through high school, college, and beyond. Almost 1000 pages of solid, helpful information.
The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling
Debra Bell’s book is a great homeschooling book, especially if you’re looking for practical ways to schedule your day, work through each subject, and learn about popular methods.
100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum
Cathy Duffy’s book is an excellent choice to help you specifically with kindergarten through high school curriculum choices.
Mommy Teach Me
Making the Most of the Preschool Years
If you have a preschooler, these two books can help you get started.
The High School Handbook
This book by Mary Schofield is perfect for high school students.
All these books may be purchased from our online HEAV bookstore.
We can help!
Sign-up for HEAV’s FREE weekly e-mail newsletter, the Virginia Homeschool Update, and HEAV’s quarterly magazine, the Virginia Home Educator. We’ll let you know about upcoming events, museum homeschool days, and important news. You’ll also receive encouragement and support through helpful articles and great resources–all for free!
To get your specific questions answered and learn what you REALLY need to know to homeschool, watch our Virginia Homeschool Updates for information about our How-to-Begin Homeschool Success Seminars. These practical, information-filled seminars will give you the tools for a successful homeschool year.
I hope this information will help you get off to a good start. You can do it—just take one step at a time. HEAV is here to help you be successful. Please call our office at 804-278-9200 or e-mail your questions to support@heav.org if we can help you further.
Wishing you much success!
Yvonne
Have a question or comment? Please leave it below!
Yvonne Bunn @ October 27, 2010 | Blogroll, Homeschool Q&A | Comments (0)
Governor Acknowledges Homeschooling at Reception
It was an honor to be invited to a reception at the Executive Mansion on the evening of Thursday, October 14. My husband, George, and I attended a reception with approximately 150 other leaders of statewide organizations and friends of the governor of Virginia, Bob McDonnell, and his wife, Maureen.
The federal-style mansion was beautifully decorated with fall colors and accented with orange pumpkins and colorful gourds. Completed in 1813, the mansion is the oldest governor’s residence in the nation to be continuously used for its original purpose. It was exciting to stand in the same rooms that have been home to 54 Virginia governors!
We had an opportunity to greet many friends from other areas of the state. We chatted with several dozen leaders of organizations we have worked with in past years and discussed issues with family-friendly legislators who also attended.
There were at least a half dozen couples I didn’t know who introduced themselves and told me they homeschooled their children and appreciated HEAV. When Governor McDonnell spoke to the group as a whole, he thanked those who shared his conservative values and publicly acknowledged a handful of groups, including a specific mention of homeschoolers throughout the state.
We had an opportunity to reminisce with former governor George Allen and his wife Susan about his years as governor. He recalled that he signed the first proclamation declaring Virginia Homeschool Day in the Commonwealth.
We enjoyed meeting numerous new friends, including Chief “Red Hawk” of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe located in Southampton County. He was very interested in talking with us about home education. It was a delightful evening for all!
Yvonne Bunn @ October 26, 2010 | General, Legislative | Comments (4)
Homeschool Q&A: Homeschooling Someone Else’s Child
This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers!
Q. I have looked at the Virginia laws and cannot find any clear word on whether it is legal or not to homeschool someone else’s child. Can you tell me what the law says?
A. The homeschool statute is written to allow parents to teach their own children. § 22.1-254 refers to two other people:
There is not a clear legal provision allowing a person who is not a parent, certified teacher, guardian, or person in charge of a child to teach someone else’s child. The law states the following (emphasis mine):
§ 22.1-254. A. Except as otherwise provided in this article, every parent, guardian, or other person in the Commonwealth having control or charge of any child … [shall] send such child to a public school or to a private, denominational, or parochial school or have such child taught by a tutor or teacher of qualifications prescribed by the Board of Education and approved by the division superintendent, or provide for home instruction of such child as described in § 22.1-254.1.
This provision allows a parent to satisfy compulsory attendance requirements by having “…such child taught by a tutor or teacher of qualifications prescribed by the Board of Education and approved by the division superintendent…” as an alternative to attendance at a public or private school.
Parents who are certified teachers may also teach their own children under this provision, known as “the certified tutor” option, instead of the home instruction statute found in §22.1-254.1. See our Certified Tutor Page for more details about this option.
Yvonne Bunn @ October 20, 2010 | Homeschool Q&A, Legislative | Comments (2)
Homeschool Day at the State Fair – Feedback Needed
If you attended the HEAV-sponsored Homeschool Day at the State Fair, please let us know what you thought by commenting below or by e-mailing office@heav.org. We use feedback to help us decide which events to offer again and to make any other needed adjustments. Your input is GREATLY appreciated!
We were surprised that it wasn’t as wet as we had thought it would be, and we were able to enjoy everything without too many crowds getting in the way. Let it be added that we are English, and are therefore used to bad weather…and making the most of things no matter what is falling from the sky. The children are already looking forward to next year. We braved the weather on Monday and had a wonderful day! Thanks to HEAV for offering homeschoolers the chance to go to events for less money.
- Lynne Harris
Blog @ October 13, 2010 | Events, Feedback | Comments (14)
Homeschool Day at the Virginia Air & Space Center Photos
Last Wednesday (October 6), more than 1,000 homeschoolers and their parents came to the Virgina Air & Space Center in Hampton to learn about flight and space exploration. This HEAV-sponsored event included a special presentation by NASA astronaut Susan Kilrain. NASA scientists and space center volunteers also provided many hands-on stations for science experiments and physics projects.
During the day, I was not only invited to give a presentation at the Peninsula Museum Association’s meeting that was being held upstairs in the Air and Space Center, but the visiting museum representatives also got to see a museum packed with homeschoolers!
Share your thoughts and experiences from the day as a comment below! We’d welcome comments from homeschool students, too!
Yvonne Bunn @ October 13, 2010 | Events | Comments (2)
Free Homeschool Q&A – Barnes & Noble Educator Appreciation Days
Barnes & Noble Educator Appreciation Days are in process through Sunday, October 17. Educators receive a 25% discount on most resources during appreciation days (rather than the normal 20%). As an added bonus, educators get 10% off most CDs and DVDs. Simply present an Educator Discount Card (available with proof of schooling status at stores — homeschoolers should be able to use their HEAV membership card or Notice of Intent) and state-issued photo ID at any Barnes & Noble bookstore to enjoy the savings.
Many stores are also having special events during this week. HEAV has arranged to offer Homeschool Q&A workshops at several locations. We hope you’ll be able to join us there!
This is the perfect opportunity for parents curious about home education or those with homeschool questions to hear a brief overview of homeschooling in Virginia and talk with an experienced homeschooler! We would also love for veteran homeschoolers to stop by and say hello!
Please join us at a workshop near you, and spread the word about these free opportunities to your friends, e-lists, Yahoo groups, etc. We need your help in making this statewide outreach successful!
HOMESCHOOL Q&A WORKSHOPS
Richmond Area
Libbie Place – 5501 West Broad Street, Richmond
Wednesday, October 13, at 10:30 a.m.
Chesterfield Town Center – 11500 Midlothian Turnpike, Space 440, Midlothian
Thursday, October 14, at noon
Commonwealth Centre – 4600 Commonwealth Center Parkway, Midlothian
Thursday, October 14, at 11 a.m. (immediately following storytime)
Creeks @ VA Center – 9850 Brook Road, Glenn Allen
Saturday, October 16, at 11 a.m.
Manassas
Westgate Plaza – 8117 Sudley Road, Manassas
Tuesday, October 12, at 11 a.m.
Christiansburg
Spradlin Farms, 110 Conston Avenue, Christiansburg
Tuesday, October 12, at 10:30 a.m.
Lynchburg
Wards Crossing – 4024-C Wards Road, Lynchburg
Thursday, October 14, at 10:30 a.m.
Virginia Beach
VA Beach – 4485 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach
Friday, October 15, at 11 a.m.
Blog @ October 11, 2010 | Events | Comments (2)
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Affects a Family’s Right to Homeschool in Botswana
annemiller @ October 5, 2010 | General | Comments (0)
Homeschool Q&A: Requirements Regarding Testing Five-Year-Olds
This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers!
Q. I filed a Notice of Intent this year for my five-year-old daughter. She was five August 30, 2010. Do I have to have her tested next year?
A. Even though you filed a Notice of Intent, your daughter will not be 6 by September 30, so she is NOT required to be tested next year, i.e., you will NOT have to send test scores by August 1, 2011. Testing is only required for those who have filed a Notice of Intent and whose children are six (or older) on or before September 30.
You may get a reminder notice in the spring to send in your test scores or an evaluation. This is usually a form letter that is mass-mailed to all homeschoolers. You may ignore it or call your superintendent’s office and tell him your child is not required to be tested because she is five years old.
Have a question or comment? Please leave it below!
Yvonne Bunn @ October 3, 2010 | Homeschool Q&A | Comments (1)