Is Homeschooling right for me?

Photo By Chul (Chuck) Yang | Homeschool student research the offers and terms of various credit cards as part of her financial literacy project on Jan. 25, 2023. The student will be applying for her own credit card and monitoring her finances as part of her schoolwork. (Photo by Nicki Cheney)  

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, MD, UNITED STATES

01.25.2023

Story by Chul (Chuck) Yang 

Fort George G. Meade Public Affairs

Homeschool has recently seen a rise in numbers as an attractive alternative to public school across the United States. According to the National Home Education Research Institute, about 3.1 million students were enrolled in the 2021-2022 school year, an increase from the 2.5 million students enrolled in spring of 2019.

Whether parents are considering homeschooling due to COVID-19, religious preferences, special needs, or safety concerns, it provides a customizable approach on how a child receives education by allowing parents to choose how their child learns.

Nicki Cheney, a homeschool parent here on Fort Meade, has both of her children enrolled in homeschooling. Her son, 8, has a behavioral diagnosis and she expressed her concern of the public school system being unable to support his personal needs. She said her daughter, 10, who had been previously homeschooled, tried public school, but the pressures of, “fitting in," and bullying from her peers, caused the family to change their mind on public school. Cheney is happy with her families’ decision for her daughter to return to homeschool.

“There has not been a single downside socially, mentally, or emotionally for [my daughter] or for our family,” said Cheney. “Everything has been an improvement over a public-school setting. We are able to go at a pace that fits her.”

For those thinking of homeschooling their own children here in Maryland, there are certain steps to take to begin this journey.

Prior to home instruction, a parent must sign a letter of intent to notify the school board of the withdrawal of their child. The online letter of intent can be found here. There are two supervision program types to choose from. Program Type A is through the Anne Arundel County Public Schools where a school representative will conduct portfolio reviews twice a year. Program Type B is a non-public school affiliated, Umbrella group, program registered with the Maryland State Department of Education. A representative from the chosen Umbrella group will conduct portfolio reviews.

The state of Maryland does not require a set curriculum to be followed, but the student must receive, “regular thorough instruction,” on the core subjects: English, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, and physical education. It is up to the parent as educator to decide how to provide instruction on these subjects.

“You can go to a bowling alley... you can incorporate math into with how many [pins] they knock down,” said Meredith McCandless, CYS, School Liaison Officer at Fort Meade. “I feel like you have a way broader range of education with homeschooling. Especially for kids who really need hands on and can’t sit in a desk with a worksheet...”

For either type of homeschool programs, samples of schoolwork must be maintained to present at a portfolio review to ensure that they are following Maryland’s homeschool regulation, COMAR 13A.10.01. The samples may include photos, videos, worksheets, and any other educational materials. The review is not to discredit the parent’s teaching styles, but to offer suggestions of improvement. It is up to the parent to decide whether they will implement the reviewer's suggestions.
“It’s an opportunity for the parents to ask for input and it's an opportunity for that educator to, kind of, reassure you that you’re doing enough and you’re doing a good job,” said Cheney.

Homeschooling can be an ideal option for parents who want to take a more hands-on approach with their child’s education. There are many helpful, supportive groups that will answer questions and concerns parents may have with homeschooling. The Fort Meade Area Homeschooling for Beginners Facebook page may help parents who are new to homeschooling or are considering it.

“My biggest piece of advice is, if you are considering it, don’t hesitate. Make that jump and, kind of, figure out everything else as you go,” said Cheney. “The biggest and hardest step is to start doing it.”
For more information on homeschooling visit: https://mdhsa.com/

• Date Taken: 01.25.2023
• Date Posted: 01.31.2023 07:00
• Story ID: 437205
• Location: FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, MD, US