This article is adapted from Davidson Institute’s “Homeschooling – Considering Homeschooling: A Guidebook for Investigating an Alternative Path to Education”, part of our collection of free guidebooks for gifted and 2e families. For a deeper dive into supporting your gifted or twice-exceptional child, we encourage you to explore the full guide.
For families seeking additional support, Davidson Academy Online offers a structured yet flexible online learning environment tailored to profoundly gifted students. It complements the homeschooling experience with advanced academics and a community of like-minded peers, making it a valuable ally for parents navigating this journey.
Making the transition to and from the traditional school system can be challenging if a parent and student lack the appropriate information and guidance. Even parents who choose to homeschool for the majority, or entirety, of their child’s education will face transitions, such as high school graduation and college admissions, when recordkeeping and paperwork become important. This section gives a general overview of the major factors to consider during such periods.
From Traditional Schooling to Home and Back Again
Many families choose to homeschool after their student has already spent some time in the traditional school system. Similarly, families can decide to return their student to a traditional school after a period of homeschooling. Both of these scenarios mark significant transitions in a student’s life and will require some preparation, including open communication with the school district.
No matter which way you are transitioning, one of the first steps should be to inform your school district of your decision and ensure that you are following state and local protocols. There may be necessary paperwork to complete or other steps to be taken in accordance with district policies. When enrolling a formerly home-educated child into public school, be aware that disagreements can arise between parents and school officials regarding grade-level placement and/or the evaluation of which credits should be accepted. Be prepared to provide documentation demonstrating what your child has learned while homeschooling and the grade level they are working at. Schools will often require testing to determine placement and “credit by examination.”
It is also important to consider how to prepare your child socially, emotionally, and academically for such transitions. Schehl (2009) reported in a small 2007 study that found when it comes to entering traditional school after a period of homeschooling, “Homeschooling families can better prepare for the transition by helping their children understand the organizational structure of public education, by keeping their child up to speed academically, and by providing social experiences for the child with other children outside of the family unit.” If your child has never been in a traditional school setting, it may also be a good idea to review the general expectations, such as putting your name on your paper and raising your hand to speak. The article “The Transition from Homeschooling to the Regular Public School System: How to Make the Move Easier” includes other items to consider.
When transitioning your child in the other direction, it may be helpful to take a short break between the last day of traditional school and the first day of homeschooling. Speak openly with your student and make decisions together as to how you want a typical homeschool day to look. Be sure to plan some social activities, such as weekly interactions with friends, to make the transition easier. For further tips, see the articles:
- Helping Your Child Cope with School Transitions
- Reentry: When Homeschool Students Enroll in Traditional Schools
- From Homeschool to Public School.
Works Cited
Schehl, P. (2009). The Transition from Homeschooling to the Regular Public School System: How to Make the Move Easier.
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