A Guide to Understanding Homeschool Laws

Homeschooling has been legal in all 50 U.S. states since 1993. According to the Homeschool Legal Defense Association, home education was illegal in most states as recently as the early 1980’s. By 1989, only three states, Michigan, North Dakota, and Iowa, still considered homeschooling a crime. Interestingly, of those three states, two of them, Michigan and Iowa, are today listed among the states with the least restrictive homeschooling laws. Although homeschooling is now legal across the United States, each state is responsible for drafting its own homeschool laws, which means that what must be done to legally homeschool varies depending on where a family lives. Some states are highly regulated, while others place few restrictions on homeschooling families. Homeschool Legal Defense Association maintains an up-to-date database on the homeschooling laws in all fifty states. Terms to Know When Considering Homeschool Laws To those who are new to homeschooling, the terminology used in homeschool  laws may be unfamiliar. Some of the basic terms you need to know include: Compulsory attendance: This refers to the ages children are required to be in some type of school setting. In most states that define a compulsory attendance age for homeschoolers, the minimum is usually between the ages of 5 and 7. The maximum is generally between the ages of 16 and 18. Declaration (or Notice) of Intent: Many states require that homeschooling families submit an annual notice of intent to homeschool to either the state or county school superintendent. The content of this notice can vary by state, but usually includes the names and ages of the homeschooled children, the home address, and the parent’s signature. Hours of instruction: Most states specify the number of hours and/or days per year during which children should be receiving instruction. Some, like Ohio, state 900 hours of instruction per year. Others, such as Georgia, specify four and one-half hours per day for 180 days each school year. Portfolio:  Some states offer a portfolio option in place of standardized testing or professional evaluation. A portfolio is a collection of documents outlining your student’s progress each school year. It may include records such as attendance, grades, courses completed, work samples, photos of projects, and test scores. Scope and sequence: A scope and sequence is a list of topics and concepts that a student will learn throughout the school year. These concepts are usually broken down by subject and grade level. Standardized test:  Many states require that homeschool students take nationally standardized tests at regular intervals. The tests that meet each state’s requirements may vary. Umbrella schools/cover schools: Some states give the option for homeschooled students to enroll in an umbrella or cover school. This may be an actual private school or simply an organization established to help homeschooling families comply with the laws  in their state. Students are taught at home by their parents, but the cover school maintains records for their enrolled students. The records required by cover schools vary based on the laws of the state in which they are located. These documents are submitted by parents and may include attendance, test scores, and grades. Some umbrella schools help parents choose curriculum and offer transcripts, diplomas, and graduation ceremonies. States with the Most Restrictive Homeschool Laws States that are generally considered to be highly regulated for homeschooling families include: MassachusettsNew YorkPennsylvaniaRhode IslandVermont Often regarded as one of the most regulated states,  New York’s homeschooling laws require that parents turn in an annual instruction plan for each student. This plan must include information such as the name, age, and grade level of the student; the curriculum or textbooks you intend to use; and the name of the teaching parent. The state requires annual standardized testing in which students should be at or above the 33rd percentile or show a full grade level improvement from the previous year.  New York also lists specific subjects that parents must teach their children at various grade levels. Pennsylvania, another highly-regulated state,  offers three options for homeschooling. Under the homeschool statute, all parents must submit a notarized affidavit to homeschool. This form includes information about immunizations and medical records, along with criminal background checks. Homeschooling parent Malena H., who lives in Pennsylvania, says that although the state is â€Å"†¦considered one of the states with the highest regulations†¦it really isnt that bad. It sounds overwhelming when you hear about all the requirements, but once you have done it once it is pretty easy.† She says, â€Å"In third, fifth and eighth grades the student has to take a standardized test. There is a variety to choose from, and they can even do some of them at home or online. You must keep a portfolio for each child that has a few samples for each subject taught and the results of the standardized test if the child is in one of the testing years. At the end of the year, you find an evaluator to review the portfolio and sign off on it. You then send the evaluator’s report to the school district.† States with Moderately Restrictive Homeschool Laws While most states require that the teaching parent have at least a high school diploma or GED, some, such as North Dakota,  require that the teaching parent have a teaching degree or be monitored for at least two years by a certified teacher. That fact puts North Dakota  on the list of those  considered to be moderately restrictive with regards to their homeschool laws. Those states include: ColoradoFloridaHawaiiLouisianaMaineMarylandMinnesotaNew HampshireNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOregonSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeVirginiaWashingtonWest Virginia North Carolina is often considered a difficult state in which to homeschool. It requires maintaining attendance and immunization records for each child. North Carolina also requires that children complete nationally standardized tests each year. Other moderately regulated states that require yearly standardized testing include  Maine, Florida, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia. (Some of these states do offer alternative homeschooling options that may not require annual testing.) Many states offer more than one option to legally homeschool. Tennessee, for example, currently has five options, including three umbrella schools options and one for distance learning (online classes). Heather S., a homeschooling parent from Ohio, says that Ohio homeschoolers must  submit an annual letter of intent and a  summary of their intended curriculum, and  agree to complete 900 hours  of education each year. Then, at  the end of each year, families â€Å"†¦.can do state-approved testing or have a portfolio reviewed and submit the results... Children must test above the 25th percentile on standardized tests or show progression in their portfolio. Virginia homeschooling mom, Joesette, considers her state homeschooling laws reasonably easy to follow. She says parents must â€Å"†¦file a Notice of Intent each year by August 15, then supply something to show progress at the end of the year (by August 1). This can be a standardized test, scoring at least in the 4th stanine, a  [student] portfolio†¦.or an evaluation letter by an approved evaluator.† Alternately, Virginia parents can file a  Religious Exemption. States with Minimally Restrictive Homeschool Laws Sixteen U.S.  states are considered minimally restrictive. These include:   AlabamaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaDelawareGeorgiaKansasKentuckyMississippiMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew MexicoUtahWisconsinWyoming Georgia requires an annual Declaration of Intent to be filed by September 1, annually, or within 30 days of the date you initially begin homeschooling. Children must take a nationally standardized test every three years starting in 3rd grade. Parents are required to write an annual progress report for each student. Both the test  scores and progress reports  are to be kept on file but are not required to be submitted to anyone. Although Nevada is on the minimally restrictive list, Magdalena A., who homeschools her children in the state says that it is, â€Å"†¦homeschooling paradise. The law states only  one regulation: when a child turns seven...a notice of intent to homeschool should be filed. That is it, for the rest of that childs life. No portfolios. No check-ups. No testing.† California homeschooling mom, Amelia H. outlines her state’s homeschooling options. â€Å"(1) Home study option through the  school district. Material is provided and weekly or monthly check-ins are required. Some districts provide classes for home study kids and/or allow kids to take some classes on campus. (2) Charter schools. Each one is set up differently but they all cater to homeschoolers and provide funding for secular curriculum and extracurricular activities through vendor programs†¦Some require that kids meet state standards; others simply ask for signs of ‘value-added growth. Most require state testing but a handful will allow parents to generate a portfolio as a year-end assessment. (3) File as an independent school. [Parents must]  state the curriculum goals at the start of the school year†¦Getting a high school diploma through this route is tricky and many parents choose to pay someone to help with the paperwork. States with the Least Restrictive Homeschool Laws Finally,  eleven states are considered very homeschool-friendly with few restrictions on homeschooling families. These states are: AlaskaConnecticutIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaMichiganMissouriNew JerseyOklahomaTexas Texas is notoriously homeschool-friendly with a strong homeschool voice at the legislative level. Iowa homeschooling parent, Nichole D. says that her home state is just as easy. â€Å"[In Iowa], we have no regulations. No state testing, no lesson plans submitted, no attendance records, nothing. We dont even have to inform the district that were homeschooling.† Parent Bethany W.  says, â€Å"Missouri is very homeschool-friendly. No notifying districts or anyone unless your child has previously been public schooled, no testing or evaluations ever. Parents keep a log of hours (1,000 hours, 180 days), a written report of progress, and a few samples of [their students’] work.† With a few exceptions, the difficulty or ease of complying with each state’s homeschooling laws is subjective. Even in states that are considered highly regulated, homeschooling parents often state that compliance isn’t as difficult as it may appear on paper. Whether you consider your state’s homeschooling laws restrictive or lenient, it is essential to make sure you understand what is required of you to remain compliant. This article should be considered a guideline only. For specific, detailed laws for your state, please check your statewide homeschool support group’s website or Homeschool Legal Defense Association.

Dream Analysis - 2326 Words

DREAM ANALYSIS This reflective essay illustrates Freud’s theory of dream analysis. It will begin with a brief overview of Freudian dream theory and will go on to describe the various components of personality structure and the unconscious from a psychodynamic perspective. This essay will analyse one of my personal dreams using Freud’s dream analysis theory and conclude with a critical reflection on the application of his theory as it relates to my dream. When Freud famously referred to dreams as being the ‘royal road to the unconscious’, he meant that dreams were a way in which to access the unconscious mind. Dream analysis in psychoanalysis is the process used to explore the role dreams play in the unconscious (Corey, 2005). The†¦show more content†¦The latent content is the underlying, hidden part of the dream that holds the true meaning of the unconscious desires (Solms, 2000). The process by which the latent content is transformed into the disguised manifest content is what Freud referred to as the dream work (Sharpe, 1988). The dream work can disguise the latent views through the following four mechanisms: ‘condensation’ (the condensing of multiple thoughts into one), ‘displacement’ (replaces a latent element by a concealed trivial reference to it e.g. your mother is represented as a cat), ‘symbolism’ (which transforms thoughts into visual elements) followed by a proce ss of ‘secondary revision’ in which the dreaming mind takes all these distorted elements and organises them into a more comprehensible format (Schredl, 2008) In order to analyse my dream through Freudian interpretation I will begin by discussing the manifest content. I will attempt to break up the story in the dream and look at the individual items and events. In my dream I am walking out of a car park onto a street with many tall buildings, heading towards my counselling practice class. I am flustered as I have rushed to get to my class on time. As I am walking, I look down and see that I am wearing my husbands’ work boots. They have a lot of mud on them. I suddenly begin to feel how large and heavy they are on me. I stop walking as I suddenly feel a big a rush ofShow MoreRelatedAntwone Dream Analysis1470 Words   |  6 Pagesthat process is no different. Dream analysis, however, could be an effective way for a counselor to treat the problems that Antwone is having. As a currently angry individual, Antwone recalls some of the dreams he was having when trying to sleep. The movie opens with a dream sequence showing Antwone as a little kid in a field. He enters a building, which is presumed to be a church and is surrounded by what is presumed to be his family members. Antwone, in this dream, is led to a table covered inRead MoreEssay about Dream Analysis768 Words   |  4 Pageschoose Dream Analysis. â€Å"Dream Analysis is a process of determining the meanings of dreams through symbols, myths, free association, and memories. There are a variety of philosophies and approaches for analyzing dreams including Adlerian (dreams are projections of a persons current concerns), Gestalt (every person and object in a dream represents an aspect of the dreamer), and psychoanalytic (dreams are a key to what is happening in a persons unconscious). Why would I want to choose Dream AnalysisRead MoreAnalysis Of My Dream1056 Words   |  5 PagesDream In my dream, I saw my stepmom talking to a group of men. This group of men looked like they were part of a bike gang, and they all had either a knife or a gun on them. The group of men had scary tattoos all over them, leather vests, and distressed jeans on with boots. The men took off and were headed to an apartment complex in search of someone. They didn’t knock on any doors or try to break into a specific apartment; they were just walking around looking for someone outside the apartment buildingsRead MoreEssay about Dream Analysis773 Words   |  4 PagesAccording to Merriam-Webster, a dream can be defined as a series of thoughts, images or emotions occurring during sleep. Form many people, sleep can be a disturbing time, but for others it can be a peaceful, longing time of the day. For me, I LOVE my sleep, as well as any dreams that may accompany my slumber. I would like to think I have a very vivid imagination, based on some of the dreams that I encounter. I do find that I can remember most of my dreams, at least for a few hours, however, byRead MoreDream A Little Dream Of Me Analysis Essay1241 Words   |  5 Pages â€Å"Dream a Little Dream of Me† Music Analysis First recorded in 1931 by Oswald George Nelson, known as Ozzie Nelson, with his orchestra, â€Å"Dream a Little Dream of Me† came into existence. Two days later, after Ozzie Nelson had recorded â€Å"Dream a Little Dream of Me†, the song was again recorded on February 18, 1931 by orchestra leader and musician Wayne King. Since those first two recordings of â€Å"Dream a Little Dream of Me† there have been approximately 60 versions by many well-known artists of whichRead More Dream Analysis Essay1435 Words   |  6 PagesThe Meaning of a Dream The best part of a long, hard-working day is when you finally get to lay in your bed, close your eyes and let your imagination run free. As you sleep your mind takes you to another place far away from the real world. You begin to dream. Over the night, you may have several dreams. In the morning, you may wake up and wonder what your dreams were suppose to mean for you and your life. By analyzing your dream, it gives a true picture of the subjective state-how we reallyRead MoreAnalysis Of Lucid Dreams 3596 Words   |  15 Pages During lucid dreams we are remarkably wakeful—even though still asleep. We may be able to reason clearly, remember freely, signal that we are conscious, and may even change the plot if we so choose. But it takes training. I am in the middle of a riot in the classroom. Everyone is running around in some sort of struggle. Most of them are Third World Types, and one of them has a hold on me—he is huge, with a pockmarked face. I realize that I am dreaming and stop struggling. I look him in the eyesRead MoreEssay about Dreams Their Analysis1413 Words   |  6 Pages Dreams Their Analysis The assignment is to recall a dream and analyze it from one or two theoretical perspectives weve learned thus far in dream analysis. Dreams have been a vehicle to express emotions, thoughts and feelings. Sometimes they pose questions which have been rooted in our conscious. Dreams are personalized works which we have consciously directed and created in our minds and no one interpretation is right or wrong. Weeks later upon receiving this assignment I had an incredible dreamRead MoreHoop Dreams Analysis2621 Words   |  11 PagesLorenzo de Medici Film Analysis: Hoop Dreams (1994) Written by Ann Kelsey Cinema of the Real: Documentary Films Paolo Grassini December 5, 2012 The 1994 Documentary, Hoop Dreams, directed by Steve James, is a masterful display of human drama. The story-line is so captivating and theatrical that it seems crafted from fiction. The Documentary boasts cinematic techniques and private investigating that rivals most film of this time period. The film follows the high school careersRead MoreRhetorical Analysis : Dream A Motivational Video 878 Words   |  4 Pagestitled, â€Å"Dream: Motivational Video,† because of the boldness it projected to the audience. The speech is approximately six minutes and was published on July 2, 2013. It provides the audience with a background on how they should make their dreams realistic. Although obstacles will get in our way when trying to fulfill dreams—the purpose is to separate from negativity and dream big. Even though the fear of failure overtakes our mind, we cannot allow the fear to detour us from living out our dream. Finally

Homeless Books Essay Example For Students

Homeless Books Essay Have you ever realized how lucky you really are when you are driving under a bridge or in poor part of town and you see a homeless person begging for work or food, or do you just drive by and act as though you never saw the horrible site and go on about your buisness? Just like in the book Les Miserables Fantine becomes homeless to take care of her daughter, who she gae to the Thenardiers, for what she thought was a better life. Everywhere you go, everwhere you look, there is always someone less fortunate than you, some places more than others. Homeless people come from all walks of life. Anyone can become homeless, you could be born to a rich or just well-off family and end up under a bridge across town. Have you ever wondered, what are some situations homeless people find themselves in every day liek Fantine did? Homeless people arent as fortunate as people with roofs over their heads. THey have to search up and down to find a place to sleep where they wont be awaken by a police officer who doesnt like where they are. But regardless of who these people are, they are still people, ;who come from all walks of life, all races, and religions; (Marx 4). Although many were born into homelessness or were brought down to it by their parents, many have lost their jobs during economic changes of the 1980s and werent able to find other work, either because they were to old to be hired or didnt have the correct skills (Marx 4). All over the world people because of the way they look and mainly becuse they arent to the level of society the average person is on. But not only adults are homeless, teenagers and children are living on the streets as well. Many are ;runaways and throwaways; (Hyde 52) Just because you dont see the swaarms and swarms of children living on the street, it doesnt mean they arent there. Seven hundred fifty thousand to one million three hundred thousand boys and girls are homeless because they are runaways from either broken, abusive, or dysfunctional families. But many also come from being thrown out of their homes, some for reasons and some for no reasons at all. (Hyde 52). But either way its no excuse to throw your child out on the street. But all teenagers, children and adults all need places to live (Homeless in America 146). Thousands of Americans stay in shelters each week (Homelessness). Shelters such as church basements, old hotels or even buildings built for shelters usually always stay full (Marx 4). Every day people are turned away adn even some have given up on finding a bed to sleep in (marx 4). So jsut like Fantine had to sell herself just to make it along, people on the streets are doing this everyday just to get a warn meal to eat (Hugo 97). Next time you are driving out of town dont look out your window and think poor soul, do something the best way you can, even if it is just giving a bottle of water. English Essays .

Research Paper on Childbirth Essay Example

Research Paper on Childbirth Essay Childbirth and Research Paper Ertelt, Steven. Mayo Clinic Doctor Admits Abortions Hurt Women, Cause Premature Births. Lifetqews. com. N. p. 20 Aug. 2009. web. 8 oct. 2012. The article was about how a mayo doctor by the name of Roger W. Harms wrote a factsheet on how abortions lead to premature births in pregnacies to follow abortions. Due to the vacuum, spoon, or other instruments used during the surgical procedure of removing the fetus, the cervix and uterus are often damaged. Due to a damaged cervix, premature births are more likely. Studies also show that premature babies have twice the chance of developing cerebral palsy than a baby born at full- term. This article is biased against abortions. The point of this article was to show the consequences women face when they have an abortion in later pregnancies. In my opinion, this article is reliable since the studies were conducted by a physician from Mayo Clinic, not Just an average Joe guy trying to get his two cents in. I would definitely use this article in my research paper. I will use it when I discuss the aftermath of an abortion. Once women perform the abortion, they think that the problem is gone. However, that is not the case. Other articles I have read discuss the depression and psychological affects of an abortion and the toll that has on the women. This article describes physical problems women can face after they have had an abortion. Ertelt, Steven. Mayo Clinic Doctor Admits Abortions Hurt Women, Cause Premature Births. LifeNews. com. N. p. 20 Aug. 2009. Web. 8 Oct. 2012. an abortion. Ert It, Steven. Mayo Clinic Doctor Admits Abortions Hurt Women, Cause an abortion. We will write a custom essay sample on Research Paper on Childbirth specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Research Paper on Childbirth specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Research Paper on Childbirth specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer