PWC Homeschool Resource

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO HOMESCHOOL ?

First of all, getting started with homeschooling may seem a bit intimidating, but it’s actually fairly simple in Virginia to get permission.  Basically, you are eligible to homeschool your child(ren) if ONE of the below is true:

1  they are under the age of 6 on September 30th of the school year.

2. either parent is a certified tutor

3. you claim a religious exemption (then you basically disappear from school records and they don’t expect to hear from you — read more about this though before jumping on this option)

4. either parent has a high school diploma (testing and declaration of intent and curriculum is required)

5.either parent is a certified teacher (testing NOT required)

6.you are using correspondence or distance learning program

7.you can provide other evidence that you are qualified to provide a quality education to your child (based on your ability to communicate with good grammar and spelling).

For more details, check out http://www.heav.org/law.html

  There are two state-wide support organizations with great websites designed to help homeschoolers in a wide variety of ways, including providing all the legal and practical information needed to get started.  Both organizations are funded through memberships that include many benefits, but offer free information and help to non-members through their websites. 

Home Educators Association of Virginia  exists to “support the homeschoolers of Virginia through information, legislation and resources.”  On their website, you will find a wealth of information and help on everything from homeschool law, forms, testing, amazing field trips, graduation ceremonies, awards and information about  their yearly (usually held early June) statewide homeschool convention held in Richmond.  Thursday of their convention is typically devoted to free seminars with such titles for those exploring homeschooling as: “Introduction to Homeschooling”, “How to Begin: What you Really Need to Know”, “Choosing Curriculum Like  a Pro”.  (These seminars are occasionally offered other times and places during the year as well).  The rest of the weekend is jam-packed with helpful workshops for newbies and veterans alike, an exhibit hall where you can find the largest array of resources in Virginia, and of course the used curriculum sale for the budget-conscious and the bargain-crazed!  

Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers is similar to HEAV in mission, but a bit newer and smaller.  Unlike the strong Christian-worldview inherent in HEAV, VaHomeschoolers seeks to be more inclusive of a wider variety of religious and political views.  They also have an annual convention and curriculum fair held in Richmond.  Their website is also very informative and a great place to get started.   I hope to visit their convention next summer for a closer look at what they have to offer.

Home School Legal Defense Association  All homeschoolers should become members of this hard-working advocacy group that was established to defend the constitutional right of American families to direct the education of their families.   They are a national, non-profit organization located here in Virginia.  Members also benefit from free legal defense and help with homeschooling issues if it should ever be needed.   Members of HEAV and some support organizations are eligible to receive a discount on HSLDA membership.

CAN I DO IT???

Specifically please check out these pages if you are overwhelmed with the idea of homeschooling and want to know what it takes:

 HOW TO BEGIN: www.heav.org/basicinfo/howtobegin/index.html