JC>Does anyone know what the requirements and restrictions are, if any, on
JC>home schooling ones child in the State of Texas.  My child is 3 and we
JC>are already starting to shop around and trying to make a good decision
JC>on curriculums etc. and had expected to "just start home schooling". My
JC>brother has removed his child from school and let them know that he
JC>plans to home school his children and has now received papers from the
JC>school saying that he needs to pick a curriculum and keep them informed
JC>on his progress.  I find this very disturbing and totalitarian. I WILL
JC>NOT be pleased with any situation where I have to keep THE STATE
JC>informed of my childs educational progress. This is not RUSSIA.....is
JC>it?  Is this just because my brothers child has already been "in the
JC>system" or may I look forward to Storm Troopers trying to require
JC>progress reports be given to the very system I am trying to rescue my
JC>child from.  If anyone could give me some information on this subject as
JC>pertains to Texas Law I would appreciate it very much.
When we first started homeschooling here in Texas, my wife did some
checking on that subject and found that Texas is one of the most free
states in the area of homeschooling.  We are required to teach Reading,
Math, and good citizenship (or something like that).  Many states
require routine testing of homeschooled children, whether or not they
were ever in the public school system.  Texas does NOT require this.
They do have the right, however, to require testing of the children if a
neighbor or other person reports to the state that teaching is not
taking place.  So it's probably a good idea to be public and open about
what you are doing, rather than trying to keep it a secret.  When anyone
asks me what grade my children are in, I start off by telling them that
we homeschool them and then given an approximate equivalent grade if
they were in a public school.  Most people don't react too badly, and it
has started some interesting conversations which give me the opportunity
to tell people why homeschooling is a good idea.  I think it also helps
dispell a lot of the doubts if you're willing to talk about it.
JC>Also if anyone
JC>would know of a good place to shop for different home school curriculums
JC>in the North West Houston area.
I'm in North Texas, so I don't have any of that information.  But you
can also mail order many curricula that were written for homeschooling.
I'll try to get hold of some of that information from my wife and post
it here for you.
 I would like to start looking at a few
JC>of them more closely. And I have also seen mentioned in this echo people
JC>who home school but do not use "pre-packaged" material....very
JC>interesting....How does one put each grade level together.
Just remember, the usual grade levels are an invention of the public
schools.  You don't have to use them (although it's often easier to
deal with questions from others when you do).  There are various ways to
organize your teaching.  Since you are just starting, a "pre-packaged"
curriculum might be a good way to start and then as you see more of what
they do, you can come up with your own ideas later.  A lot of what
children learn isn't even from the formal classes.  Just try to remember
what you learned in school--it's a good guide.  Chances are much of what
they taught, you no longer use--is that a good clue?  I think the best
thing is to start by defining an objective--what you want to
accomplish by homeschooling.  Then look for ways to achieve it.
JC>...how does
JC>one decide what will and will not be taught and then where are those
JC>resources needed to teach these things gotten from? Many many many
JC>questions.
Libraries can be good resources for all kinds of stuff (especially in a
city as big as Houston).  Again, there are many resources available
through mail order.
JC>...But I love my kids and I am willing to spend the time...I
If only more parents felt like this!!!  We could probably reduce drug
use, teenage pregnancy, gangs etc if parents would spend more time with
their children, teaching, showing them love, being a part of their
lives, instead of mommy and daddy spending the whole day working so they
can have the fancy house, the two or three new cars etc, while their
children are left to others whose interest in them is only monetary.
Emil Therianos
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