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Suggested
Guide for Getting Started in your Home School:
- Notify the state. It is required by the state of Louisiana that you
submit one of the following to the La.
State Dept. of Education for children ages 7 and
older:
a) completed Home Study application
[available online at
http://www.doe.state.la.us/lde/eia/1650.html
or by calling their toll free number 1-877-453-2721
and asking for a home study application]. This option
is for those who wish to register as a Home Study
Program.
b) “an official, signed letter
registering the school year, name of your school,
contact information, and total number of students
enrolled. You must notify the Department of Education
by the thirtieth day after the school session begins.
Send only one copy of the letter, and keep a copy for
your records. Your registration will be maintained
electronically at the Louisiana Department of
Education.” This option is for those who wish to
register as a Private School.
[note:
You can refer to the state’s webpage listed above
for explanation of the difference between the two options.
For example, in order to be eligible for T.O.P.S.,
a student has to be registered in the Home Study program
for the last 2 yrs. of high school. Also, if registered as
Home Study program, 180 days of schooling
per year is mandatory.]
- Choose a curriculum. There are many, many options available in home school
curriculum. A few suggestions in finding the one for
you are talking to other experienced home school
parents, doing an Internet search, and/or attending a
home school Book Fair in your area. Also, there are
several methods or teaching programs from which to
choose: standardized curriculums, unit studies,
satellite classrooms, DVD programs, local co-ops, etc.
- Order Materials. This includes purchasing curriculum as well as school
supplies needed. Place orders early enough so
that your materials will already be in when it’s
time to begin school. Many suppliers provide free
diagnostic testing to find the correct level in which
your student should start working.
[See our Links page
for several homeschool resources, including sites
offering curriculum.]
- Set start date, holidays, etc. This varies from homeschool to homeschool, but the more
organized you are, the smoother things will go. Just
remember, as a home school you set your own
guidelines. You can be as structured or as flexible as
you want.
- Legal advice. It is prudent to be
aware of your legal rights as a homeschooling parent.
Home School Legal Defense Association’s website
(www.hslda.org)
is a good place to educate yourself in this area. If
you are a member of HSLDA, you will have access to
legal advice regarding your homeschool.
- Support Groups. There are usually several local homeschool support
groups from which to choose. Christian Home
Educators’ Fellowship is one of them
(membership
information) . Some of the
benefits of joining a group are fellowship with other homeschoolers, participation in various activities
(such as field trips, sports, etc.), and a means to
stay updated on what’s happening with homeschoolers
near you.
If you have any questions C.H.E.F. of Lafayette will be
glad to help you in any way that we can. See the Contact
Us page of this website to find out how to get in
touch with us.
Home School
Achievements
Click here to view an informative slide presentation on
the success and achievement rates of homeschoolers.
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