Posted on 11/11/2004 9:09:25 PM PST by atari
which states are the best for homeschooling?
I was going to do some computer research, but I figured it would be better to listen to people who have tried it and how it worked out in their state.
I can't speak for the state but I didn't have much trouble in Texas.
Texas is one of the good ones, but even here its not perfect. You should trying doing research at home school websites and google searches.
Well, it depends on what you are asking. California is so screwed up with normalizing homosexual behavior and forcing out Christianity and such crap, that I would say that it is a REALLY good state to homeschool in.
The best states for homeschooling are probably those with the worst public schools.
VA is a good place to homeschool. Especially in Chesterfield county where we live and homeschool our two children. There are many support groups and you don't get any hassle from local school officals as long as your children pass the SOLs(standards of learning).
I'll venture an educated guess that the worst states for home-schooling are those with the higher concentrations of teacher union's thuggery and the best states for home-schooling are those with lesser union political influence.
Prove me wrong.
Michigan is pretty good...the state pretty much stays out of it.
Ping!
Red States
I forgot to mention red states are safer for home-schooling, IMO.
Pennsylvania has been pretty easy on us.
Oklahoma is great. It is not regulated by the State. Lots of peer support.
I'd have to say Alaska should rank among the highest for homeschooling. Due to the very nature of our environment, homeschooling is supported by the state and accepted by most, if not everyone. I homeschooled our boys when we lived north of the circle. We had a homeschool instructor/teacher who would come for home visits once a month. Depending on the weather he'd arrive via snowmachine, 4-wheeler or vehicle depending on conditions. We always looked forward to his visits and we'd sip coffee, talk about school, and he'd fill us in on the "outside world".
The program was paid for by the State of Alaska, and sometimes he'd bring us supplies...such as a globe, books for the kids, toys, pencil sharpener, and any other things we needed. Years ago they even supplied cross-country skis for our PE class. LOL
Ah, beautiful memories. I'd light the stove and make breakfast, and the kids would sit at the table in our cabin and we'd "go to school". Only school I know of where the students could wear their long-johns to class. We lived at the edge of the Gates of the Arctic, and I always encouraged them to get their morning studies done before the "light comes"....meaning those meager hours of light when we could be outside without the aid of headlamps. During our "breaks", the boys would play with the two other kids in the valley, and I would go out cross-country skiing with the two gals in the valley.
I know it's not for everyone, and homeschooling is not to be taken lightly. That being said, if you are a dedicated parent, it can work beautifully. The only problem we encountered was when we left up north, and moved to a teensy little town in Interior Alaska and enrolled them in the local school. They were 7th and 8th grade by then. Due to the intensity of our homeschooling program, they were way ahead of students their age in every subject.
All went well though...and they are now two grown men and an asset to society. Our oldest fought in Iraq, and our youngest has set out on his own in the Outside world. He'll be back though...teehee
I'm know folks who homeschool in Idaho, Montana, and Arizona. They are all simply left alone to teach their children as they see fit.
Here's a great place to get started. It's the Home School Legal Defense Association website. You can get information on each state. Here's the link:
http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/default.asp
http://www.hslda.com/
We have home schooled in South Carolina, Kansas, Texas and Washington. Kansas was the best for us. We haven't had any trouble in any of the above. Texas has the fewest regulations, but they are also the least supportive. Washington is the exact opposite. Lots of regulations, but lots of help available through the public schools (testing, sports, elective classes, etc).
That was in 1980. I found that public schools are pretty much infiltrated with the same curriculum - bad.
But home schooling was something you could get thrown in jail for - have your child taken away!
I put my daughter in a Christian school and started an organization: "Families For Freedom."
I quickly found myself connecting with other groups, including Phyllis Shafley's "Eagle Forum"...
We fought a long hard battle in the halls of our state capitol - and even in D.C.
Long and short of it - we won. Now Maine is one of the best states for home schooling...widespread and very successful. I'm putting a couple of sites on here for you, but a Google search will give you may more. (Maine is also designated, year after year, in the top 3 safest states to raise children.)
http://www.home-school.com/groups/ME.html
http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/regional/Maine.htm
Utah or other very Red States
NOT Pennsylvania. Regulations, but no support.
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