Home School Online Resources

The Requirements For The Home School Curriculum

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Most educational institutions have reading, writing and arithmetic at their core subjects and a home school curriculum will take those subjects as a basis. The requirement to include other diverse subjects in a home school curriculum varies from State to State. Some States have few or no requirements for other subjects to be taught in the home school. Other States have strict rules as to the required subjects for a home school curriculum. Families residing in States where there are few regulations as to home schooling will most often need to devise their own curriculum. In States where home schooling is more closely regulated, parents will find that there are strict rules as to what classes are mandatory.

Home School Curriculum Requirements

Many States have a standard curriculum for home schools which follows the curriculum for all the mandatory subjects taught in State-run schools. The minimum number of instructional hours and days required per year is also regulated. The typical home school curriculum will follow the State-run school curriculum. Mandatory subjects normally include reading, writing, arithmetic, spelling, geography, history, science, at least one language plus other mathematical, science and art based classes.

Standardized Testing To Monitor Home School Curriculum Progress

In the majority of States standardized testing is mandatory at set stages of the home school student’s education. These tests are designed to measure the child’s progress in the home school curriculum as well as the parents’ teaching abilities. These tests ensure that the child being taught at home is keeping up with children receiving tuition at State-run schools. If the tests point to a deficiency in the standard of the home school, action can be taken to make sure the child’s education is brought up to standard and it might be the case that parents will have to enlist the help of an instructor to remedy the situation.

The regulations laid down by the State should not be viewed as unwarranted interference; the rules are made to protect the home school student from any possible deficit in the quality of tuition and to highlight any need for additional mentoring at an early stage. The educational system would be failing in its duty towards children if it failed to asses the needs of home schooled students. The requirement for standardized testing is necessarily stringent in order to ensure that the student is being educated to an acceptable standard under the home school curriculum.