Shalom Mishpacha,
There seems to be a great deal of misunderstanding about what actual homeschooling is as I've noticed in the various emails I have received. In this blog post, I will take a bit of time to try and clear it up. I've been homeschooling for a long time and I've noticed there is confusion about this in more recent times. Homeschooling, in its truest, most authentic sense is when the parents take complete responsibility for the educating and raising of their children. The parent (s) teach their own children in the home and design the complete educational program themselves. They choose curriculum materials and file all the required paperwork with the proper authorities in the state in which they reside themselves. Hebrew-Israelite Homeschool (HIH) is an online resource dedicated to supporting Hebrew-Israelite families (Israelites, Jews) who want to actually homeschool. That is the mission and purpose of this web site.
I have been getting requests from parents asking if they can enroll their children. Hebrew Israelite Homeschool is not a "school" that teaches classes, manufactures a curriculum or takes enrollments. We are strong proponents of homeschooling in its most genuine sense as opposed to enrolling in a public or private program.The regimen recommended on the HIH website is available for you to use, if you'd like. It is very cost effective because most of the resources and materials are free or low cost. Use as little as you want, or as much as you want. Phone consultations are also available for those who would like more 1-1 assistance, or on-going homeschooling support. There is a nominal fee for this service. If you are seeking consultation support go here to learn more.
Enrolling your child in a public school independent study program, or home-based charter program is not actual homeschooling, although many public school officials call it that. This is incorrect. Public schools are offering "independent study." There is a big difference between independent study and homeschooling. Please be advised that when you enroll your child in a public school independent study program, you are setting up public school in your home. You will have to adhere to their scheduling, course of study, accountability checks and any religious teaching restrictions. You will have to comply with their course content and use their curriculum materials which is aligned with the Common Core. You have to follow all of their rules and comply with testing requirements. They design the curriculum, do the teaching and maintain the records for you. As a parent, you have very little input or decison-making authority. Even though it is free and schoolwork is done in the home, this is not homeschooling. It is still public schooling, no matter which way you slice or dice it.
Not all states have laws permitting parents to actually set up their own homeschools in their homes. Alabama is an example of this. If your state is like this and you want to have the most parental input and decision-making authority, you can enroll in a "private homeschooling program." In some states, these are called "church schools." Here in CA we call them "private satellite programs (PSP) or ISP's". Some private programs are religious, however many have no faith declaration or homeschooling philosophy and anyone can enroll. Many operate as "cover schools." Some are academies. Parents still tend to have a good deal of choice with private programs, but each one is run differently. Private programs also charge tuition and enrollment fees.
I hope this has been helpful in understanding the difference between public school independent study programs, private programs and actual homeschooling. Homeschooling is not just having "school-at-home" as the name would suggest and there are even variances among private programs. All of this can seem very confusing to the new homeschooling parent. Feel free to contact me with any of your homeschooling questions.
There seems to be a great deal of misunderstanding about what actual homeschooling is as I've noticed in the various emails I have received. In this blog post, I will take a bit of time to try and clear it up. I've been homeschooling for a long time and I've noticed there is confusion about this in more recent times. Homeschooling, in its truest, most authentic sense is when the parents take complete responsibility for the educating and raising of their children. The parent (s) teach their own children in the home and design the complete educational program themselves. They choose curriculum materials and file all the required paperwork with the proper authorities in the state in which they reside themselves. Hebrew-Israelite Homeschool (HIH) is an online resource dedicated to supporting Hebrew-Israelite families (Israelites, Jews) who want to actually homeschool. That is the mission and purpose of this web site.
I have been getting requests from parents asking if they can enroll their children. Hebrew Israelite Homeschool is not a "school" that teaches classes, manufactures a curriculum or takes enrollments. We are strong proponents of homeschooling in its most genuine sense as opposed to enrolling in a public or private program.The regimen recommended on the HIH website is available for you to use, if you'd like. It is very cost effective because most of the resources and materials are free or low cost. Use as little as you want, or as much as you want. Phone consultations are also available for those who would like more 1-1 assistance, or on-going homeschooling support. There is a nominal fee for this service. If you are seeking consultation support go here to learn more.
Enrolling your child in a public school independent study program, or home-based charter program is not actual homeschooling, although many public school officials call it that. This is incorrect. Public schools are offering "independent study." There is a big difference between independent study and homeschooling. Please be advised that when you enroll your child in a public school independent study program, you are setting up public school in your home. You will have to adhere to their scheduling, course of study, accountability checks and any religious teaching restrictions. You will have to comply with their course content and use their curriculum materials which is aligned with the Common Core. You have to follow all of their rules and comply with testing requirements. They design the curriculum, do the teaching and maintain the records for you. As a parent, you have very little input or decison-making authority. Even though it is free and schoolwork is done in the home, this is not homeschooling. It is still public schooling, no matter which way you slice or dice it.
Not all states have laws permitting parents to actually set up their own homeschools in their homes. Alabama is an example of this. If your state is like this and you want to have the most parental input and decision-making authority, you can enroll in a "private homeschooling program." In some states, these are called "church schools." Here in CA we call them "private satellite programs (PSP) or ISP's". Some private programs are religious, however many have no faith declaration or homeschooling philosophy and anyone can enroll. Many operate as "cover schools." Some are academies. Parents still tend to have a good deal of choice with private programs, but each one is run differently. Private programs also charge tuition and enrollment fees.
I hope this has been helpful in understanding the difference between public school independent study programs, private programs and actual homeschooling. Homeschooling is not just having "school-at-home" as the name would suggest and there are even variances among private programs. All of this can seem very confusing to the new homeschooling parent. Feel free to contact me with any of your homeschooling questions.
Disclaimer: Legal information provided is not to be considered as attorney-client advisement or relationship. It is highly recommended that parents contact Home School Legal Defense for complete information on homeschooling laws in their state of residence.
Are you ready to begin homeschooling? See: "Getting Started With Homeschooling."
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