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Starting elementary school at home
The first school choice some parents make is keeping their young children at home. But parents have to consider the time, materials and standards that still have to be maintained.
By SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADA
© St. Petersburg Times, published October 29, 2000
This year, 948 elementary school children are home-schooled, nearly half of the 2,036 school-age children taught by parents at home.
Although curriculum, lessons and field trips are the parent's choice, home-schooled students must maintain an activity portfolio. Progress is monitored annually by the school district. Parents who are not state-certified teachers are required to submit their children to yearly evaluations in reading, writing, math and other elementary subjects. The school district also may interview the home-schooled student, or require a national standardized test or psychological assessment.
Parents also can negotiate other evaluation protocols with the school district. Parents considering home-schooling their elementary school child should consider the time required, cost of books and other educational materials, and their child's need to develop socialization and athletic skills.
Applications for home schooling must be submitted 30 days before withdrawing a child from regular school. All a parent needs to do is submit a "letter of intent" to the superintendent of schools to start the process. The school system will provide information and resources to help parents get started on a new teaching career.
Be sure to check out the Florida Parent Educators Association Web site (http://www.fpea.com) for additional tips. The child can enroll in a public school at any time. The school's principal will evaluate the child's portfolio, yearly evaluations and test scores to determine the appropriate grade assignment.
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