The Homeschooling Handbook_ From Preschool to High School - Mary Griffith [83]
Just as there are often several local groups in an area, most states also have two or three organizations. As with the local groups, typically one state group will be uninterested in its members’ religious affiliations (or lack thereof) and one will be explicitly Christian. Often more important than an organization’s religious orientation, though, is its basic approach to providing information. Some groups view their purpose as providing you as much information as they can collect, so that you can make informed decisions about how you choose to comply with your state’s regulations. Others take a more prescriptive approach, informing you of the proper steps you should take to be a responsible homeschooler.
A useful state homeschooling association will provide most of the following:
A newsletter, typically published bimonthly or quarterly, to keep members informed about legal and legislative news that might affect homeschoolers and provide current information on local groups and newly available resources. Many state newsletters also include book and magazine reviews, curriculum ideas and recommendations, and plenty of members’ personal experiences and opinions.
A network of regional or county contact people, who provide information about the services the association offers, refer people to local support groups, and answer general homeschooling inquiries. They also work to pass local information, especially any problems homeschoolers have with local school officials, back to the state group.
[When] I became a county contact, I began to receive phone calls from prospective and current homeschoolers. I now also get calls from researchers, newspapers, professors, and others who are curious about homeschooling. I do get the occasional phone call expressing terror at swimming against the tide of society in such a basic way, but usually gentle reassurance is all that is needed.—Carol, California
A legal or legislative committee or coordinator to collect and collate information on the legal status of homeschooling in the state. (See Chapter 2 for information on the kinds of problems most likely to develop.) This is the job most groups consider their fundamental purpose: keeping up with any potential changes and making sure that members and other homeschoolers throughout the state know about them early enough to deal with the troublesome ones. If you’re at all politically oriented, this can be a fascinating committee to volunteer for.
A published guide to homeschooling in the state. This should include, at minimum, an overview of the rules governing homeschooling, possibly including the text of applicable statutes and regulations, advice on dealing with officials, a listing of local and regional contacts or local support groups, and a good general homeschooling resource list. Advice on choosing curriculum and other materials, information on learning styles, potential field trips within the state, and other more general information can also be included. Depending on the size and prosperity of the group, the energy and perseverance of its board and members, and the complexity of the state’s rules, this publication might be a few photocopied pages stapled together, a good-sized pamphlet, a massive loose-leaf binder, or a full-fledged book.
Other services or activities. These might include regular (usually annual) conferences or curriculum fairs, campouts or other social gatherings, ID cards for homeschooled kids, yearbooks, and “graduation” ceremonies.
Most homeschooling organizations are run by unpaid volunteers and will eagerly welcome volunteers to share the load. (If you’ve had trouble finding other homeschoolers, volunteering with a state association may be just what you need.) Many homeschoolers serve as board members or local contacts for years and long ago ceased trying to keep track of the time and energy they’ve put into helping other homeschoolers.