One of the things that scares most new home schooling parents the most is the possibility of being subject to a home school inspection. They wonder if the government is going to send a representative into their home to observe their typical school day. They also may wonder if the state can close down their home school and force them to put their kids in the public school sector based on the results of the home school inspection.
Before you panic, remember that there are around two million children home schooling right now. While some state governments do not make it easy on parents to home school, it is a perfectly legal way to teach your children. All you need to do is make sure that you are following the state guidelines and keeping the proper records.
If your home school is chosen for a home school inspection, most likely this will simply mean that the area school superintendent will ask to see copies of your records. Because of the possibility of a home school inspection, it is critical for home schooling families to keep records that match the criteria outlined in their state’s laws.
In the state of Florida, for example, you have to maintain a portfolio for each child that you teach. This portfolio will collect examples of the students’ work each school year. The superintendent in your area can request to view this portfolio, provided the request is made in writing. The superintendent does not have the right to visit your home and barge in on your school day. The only thing you have to do to pass a Florida home school inspection is present your portfolios to the superintendent, and therefore prove that you are indeed educating your children. These portfolios must be kept for a period of two years.
The point is that the best way to ensure that you are ready for any inspection that might come your way is to keep quality, detailed records. While not all home schools choose to give grades to their children, if you do give grades, include the grade report in your records. An inspector would want to see them as evidence that your children are being educated.
Before setting up your portfolio, check with a home schooling support group in your area. You need to know what the specific home schooling laws are and how they pertain to your children. If your portfolio does not contain all of the necessary records as mandated by your state, you will be wasting your time putting it together.
The portfolio that you keep in case of a home school inspection should also include the letter of intent to home school that you wrote for your superintendent. You should put the date that you mailed the letter on it, so there can be no question of whether or not you sent it. You can include pictures of projects that your children completed, as well as lists of books read, curriculums you use, and levels that have been completed. If your child is using a workbook, put the completed book in the portfolio. Did you make a lap book? After you are done with it, toss it in the portfolio! This is also a great place to keep your child’s immunization records and other important paperwork. With your portfolio, you always know where your child’s documents are whenever you should happen to need them.
Besides being ready for a home school inspection, your portfolio will give you a place to go to check back on your children’s work. You and your children will enjoy reminiscing about the work they have accomplished throughout your time home schooling. You can enjoy the projects over and over, without needing to keep any huge displays or projects on hand. And if the superintendent ever calls, you will be ready!
