Homeschool During COVID-19

Homeschooling During COVID-19

Here’s what to know about this alternate option for education

WORDS ELIZABETH SMITH

AS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC STRETCHES INTO the new fall school session and concerns abound about whether masks should be required in schools and child care centers, some families are thinking twice about sending their children back to school. For parents who are weighing the risks and rewards of in-person classes, it’s worth reading up on another option: homeschooling.

If you do make the move in favor of home learning, you will be far from alone. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey, homeschooling in Texas last year jumped from 3.3% to 11% of households with school-age children. That’s an estimated 750,000 homeschool families in more than 1,200 Texas school districts.

To help families make informed decisions, Stephanie Lambert, the executive director of the nonprofit Texas Home School Coalition (THSC), shares what parents need to know, including factors on the legislative front.

FUNDING HALTED FOR REMOTE SCHOOLING

Playing a factor in high interest in homeschooling: the failure of Texas House Bill 1468 to get a vote before the legislative session ended.

“Without funding in place, some North Texas independent school districts, including Allen and Ennis, notified parents of their decision to forego virtual learning programs this fall,” says Lambert.

But check with your local school district to see if other options might have become available. After initially scrapping them, some school districts have

since decided to offer online programs temporarily. Plano ISD announced it will offer a parent-led temporary virtual option through September 3, open to kids in pre-K through sixth grade. Frisco ISD will offer a temporary online option for students in Early Childhood programs through sixth grade. This online option will be offered at least through the first nine weeks of school and will be reevaluated after that.

UIL EQUAL ACCESS

One bill that did pass before the end of the Texas legislative session was House Bill 547, which opened access for homeschoolers to participate in sports and academics through the University Interscholastic League (UIL).

“UIL participation has the potential to open up a whole new world of possibilities, as students in school districts who opt in to this new law will now have access to sports and other extracurricular activities that help them grow, socialize and succeed,” shares Lambert.

The mention of “opting in” points to one big caveat—individual school districts will decide whether to participate, and homeschool students can participate in activities only in the districts near them. (Learn more details at thsc.org.)

PUBLIC SCHOOL WITHDRAWAL

If parents ultimately decide to go with homeschooling, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) requires them to formally withdraw their kids from public school—or they’ll face the possibility of truancy checks later. The THSC provides a submission form online and instructions for sending a notification email to your district.

“Before you formally withdraw a student from the Texas public school system, you must establish an instruction plan with a curriculum in a visual form—e.g., books, workbooks, video instruction,” Lambert explains. “This curriculum must include the minimum of basic subjects: reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics and citizenship. There are several established homeschool curriculums available online, from a variety of sources, and at all levels of investment.”

WHAT HOMESCHOOLING IS AND ISN’T

“Homeschooling can be a wonderful opportunity to experience the flexibility and freedom of educating your children in an environment with more control than public schooling,” says Lambert. “Educational goals may be set according to the expectations and needs of your own children—which can be a liberating experience.”

But even as homeschool parents have enhanced independence, they also have support available to them, adds Lambert. “It’s a common misconception to assume that homeschooling will leave you feeling isolated and alone with your lesson plans.”

Visit thsc.org to learn more about the network of advocates and resources meant to empower parents and provide support, direction and information to meet your child’s needs. Annual memberships to THSC also provide homeschool planning tools, expert coaches and 24/7 legal consultation. For more questions about the Texas Home School Coalition, call the headquarters at 806/744-4441 or reach out via the website contact form.

Pros and Cons

PRO: MAKE THE SWITCH ANYTIME

Parents may withdraw children from inperson public school at any point during the calendar year.

CON: NOT FEASIBLE FOR SINGLE-PARENT HOUSEHOLDS

Homeschooling remains largely out of reach for single parents who work outside the home or who for other reasons cannot devote daytime hours to school. That’s especially true for families who have narrowed their support network due to COVID-19 precautions.

PRO: FLEXIBILITY IN THE CURRICULUM

Beyond the core subjects (reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics and good citizenship), the schedule, additional subjects—STEM, art, music and foreign language—and educational materials you choose are up to you. THSC has an online quiz to determine your child’s learning style (auditory, visual or kinesthetic), and the National Home School Association’s match tool at curriculummatch.com helps you find the right curriculum. A one-time $35 fee includes a one-year membership to NHSA.

CON: THE PRICE TAG …

No federal tax breaks or Texas-state funded vouchers exist for homeschooling, and you won’t get a break on your property taxes. According to the online education service Time4Learning, the average cost of curriculum, school supplies, field trips and extracurricular activities is $700–$1,800 per child per academic year.

PRO: THE PRICE TAG!

Some online curriculum is free. For example, Khan Academy offers online classes for all grade levels including advanced placement courses for high-schoolers at no cost, though the nonprofit does encourage monetary donations. Plus, benefits to the THSC membership include scholarships as well as discounts to partner providers.

PRO: INTERNET NOT REQUIRED

Homeschooling has been a legal alternative to public schooling since the Texas Supreme Court decided Leeper v. Arlington ISD in 1994, long before high-speed internet as we know it today. If your home’s location or access to a computer make connectivity unreliable, consider choosing written materials. Think textbooks, worksheets and crafts. Subscription boxes or kits, such as the STEM-focused Genius Box for ages 8–12, are another way to homeschool offline.