I have decided to keep my daughter home another year and want to home school her, I hear online tests are required, I am doing some research online, but cannot find anything conclusive, mostly advertisements, does anyone do this?
Thank you for all your wonderful and prompt responses!, I'm glad to know there are no online tests, I am happy i get to do it 'my way" one more year, takes a load off actually.
In the state of Texas there are no requirements and most people don't know this but even in public school Kdg. is not mandatory in Texas :)
I am homeschooling my 5 year old too and previously taught in the public school system for 12 years kdg and first grade.
Good luck to you :) Enjoy it and get plugged into local homeschooling coops and events :)
If you are in this area, there is a fantastic home school store in Tomball called Love 2 Learn. I don't home school, but one of my neighbors gets all her books and supplies there. I go there to get those summer workbooks for the kids to kep their skiils up. They have a huge store and very helpful staff. They also carry all the Girl Scout uniforms and books. There is a play area for the kids while you shop!
Smoothing the Way is a group that specializes in helping families new to homeschooling. They meet monthly throughout the year. Find out if there is one in your area.
Blessings,
M.
Mom to 5 Wonderful Kids
www.4MyChildrenSake.com
I'm curious to see the other responses you get since I'm also going to be homeschooling my 5yo dd this fall. I do know that there are no 'online tests' that are required, but there are some that you can use to determine placement and find out what reading level, etc, your dd is on.
I know there are some great support groups out there, I just haven't figured out which one I want to join yet. If you go to SETHSA.org, you'll find a link for support groups and since this is an organization for our area of Texas, it's a little more up-to-date and reliable than the national site. And it's also a little more area-specific to Houston especially since it's more local. Because a group in Baytown is a little too far away for someone who lives in Kingwood! :)
I'll be using the AmblesideOnline.org curriculum for my dd this fall and am really looking forward to it.
i home school my 5.5 year old son
we can count ourselves lucky to live in texas there are no online tests required, there are no requirements only that you follow a bona fide curriculum which includes study of good citizenship.
u dont even have to worry about that because like me your child is not at first grade level yet and therefore is not required to start school until next year.
i use time4learning.com as my curriculum, and add in P.E and crafts, nature studies and field trips.
my son reads at 5th grade level, does math at 1st grade and science at 3rd grade level.
he has come on so quickly with me teaching him, i know he wouldnt do as well in public school.
there is a great support network in huntsville, lots of us homeschool.
i have loads of links if you want them email me.
In Texas there are no online test, no requirements. Texas is one of the most homeschool friendly states there is. I would check for homeschool co-ops in your area and check out the homeschool bookstore on the north side of Houston (if you are in this area). They are the most complete store I have ever seen. Check your yellow pages for more info. You can get a lot of info on getting started from the Homeschool Legal Defense Association at http://www.hslda.org . That is the best place to start. There is a place on that site that lists homeschool co-ops in all states. It may not be completely up to date but it is a place to start. That and goodle should get you going. Good luck. It is a great journey.
