HOMESCHOOLING 101
"Where To Begin"
I. Gather information.
----- Request an information guide from your regional homeschooling organization. The contact for Campbell County is the Smoky Mountain Home Education Association. You will find a link to their website below.
----- Explore TnHomeEd -- Tennessee's Homeschool Information Site.
II. Decide upon a method of registering your student(s).
----- Option 1 -- Register with the Local Education Agency as an Independent Homeschooler. This option requires the teaching parent to have a baccalaureate college degree to teach a high schooler .
----- Option 2 -- Register with an Umbrella School (also referred to as a Church Related School -- CRS). If you choose to register with an umbrella school that operates under the JETER Memorandum you will NOT need:
-- to dual register your high schooler with the Local Education Agency (LEA),
-- to submit your student(s) to testing by the state (the umbrella school may require it's own testing),
-- a BA/BS to teach your high schooler.
III. Explore Teaching Approaches (Styles) to find the right "fit" for your family. Many homeschoolers use a combination of approaches/styles so don't feel torn if more than one method appeals to you. By first deciding upon an approach/style, you will help yourself narrow the mountain of curriculum/material choices you have to choose from. Begin familiarizing yourself with the various types of homeschooling approaches listed on the following website:
----- We highly recommend reading the current editions of the following books:
-- The Big Book of Home Learning by Mary Pride,
-- Christian Home Educators Curriculum Manuals by Cathy Duffy, and
-- The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling by Debra Bell
IV. Join a local homeschoolers' support group. You can learn a lot from your fellow homeschoolers, and their support can be invaluable.