a. KNOW YOUR STATE LAW- If you do not live in Texas, visit the Home School Legal Defense Association Web site to find your state laws and a list of homeschooling organizations.

If you live in Texas, the law states:

"Home schools are considered private schools and must use a written curriculum covering math, reading, spelling, grammar, and a course in good citizenship and must be conducted in a bona fide manner. "

b. Answer this question- Why do I want to homeschool my child?

Homeschooling is not easy. The rewards are great, in the future, but it is hard to remember the future during the difficult times of the present.

c. Find other homeschoolers to talk to - Call your state organization to find an organization in your region. These, many times, will be able to put you in touch with a local support group in your area or a local homeschooler who is willing to talk to you.

d. Research Curriculum choices - Back in the early days of homeschooling, curriculum choices were few. Now there is a tremendous variety of materials from which to choose. You need to find materials that will work best for you and your lifestyle. Each parent is different and each child is different. What works for one child, may not work for another. The curriculum you use the first year you may not use the next year. The longer you homeschool, the more you will be able to see what works and what doesn't with you and with your child. If you can find or purchase any of the following curriculum guides, they should help you narrow your choices.

Cathy Duffy's Elementary Curriculum Manual or Junior/Senior High Curriculum Manual Mary Pride's Big Book of Home Learning Vols 1-4

e. Purchase your curriculum

f. If your child is enrolled in a public or private school now, you must withdraw your child from that school. In Texas, your child is considered truant after 3 days of non-attendance. That is why you should not withdraw your child until after you have purchased or ordered your curriculum. You need to know your state laws as to notification and withdrawal procedures from traditional schools.

Here is a sample letter to help you in withdrawing your children/child.

TEXAS SAMPLE LETTER

(retype this letter in your own words. Send letter certified mail, return receipt requested)

[Your Address]

[Your City,State Zip]

[Date]

[Principal]

[School District Name]ISD

[Address]

[City,State,Zip]                                                                                 

Dear Mr(s).[Principal's Last Name]:

I am writing to notify you that I am withdrawing my child, [name of child], from enrollment in the [School District Name]ISD.  I will be teaching my child at home. 

If you have any further questions, please submit them to me in writing at the above address. 

Sincerely, 

Your Name

  CC: Texas Home School Coalition Association

  [Local Support Group]

g. Join a support group in your area. Join HSLDA.-Support groups are as their name implies, for support. When the going gets tough, when you feel like you are the only one with this problem, support groups show you that you are not alone and its members have probably gone down that road before. HSLDA stands for Home School Legal Defense Association, and its sole purpose is to ensure the right of every parent to home school in all 50 states. While it is not mandatory to join, the membership fee covers any and all expenses IF they have to intervene on your behalf with your school district or go to court. Click here to go to their web site- HSLDA

For additional questions please contact us

or

The Texas Home School Coalition