Homeschooling Tips for Montana Parents

WRITTEN BY WENDY RICHARDS

Montana has always been a state that respects the rights of its parents, and homeschooling is no different. One of the results of a global pandemic was a continuing uptick in at-home education – especially in Montana. If you have ever considered homeschooling, the sheer number of varying programs and resources online can be overwhelming. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, and the biggest challenge can be choosing how to piece together a curriculum that works best for your family, lifestyle and kids.

Education works best when it is play based, especially for preschoolaged kids. The resources available vary from location to location, but across the State of Montana residents are eligible for a free kindergarten readiness program called Waterford Upstart. It is an online, play-based, concept-building, progressive program to help kids get ready for their kindergarten experience. The program is free and available for any family, even if they have not fully committed to the homeschooling experience. If you are thinking about homeschooling or are simply trying to prepare your upcoming student for kindergarten, this is a great resource with minimal time commitments to get your in-home learning/teaching program started. This is just one of many options that can be found online through local websites. More information can be found at https://opi.mt.gov/Families-Students/ School-Topics/Early-Childhood#10678612084-early-childhoodresources.

As children grow, parents are not required to provide notification of homeschooling until kids reach the age of 7. Parents/caregivers are not required to have any special education in order to teach, nor are they required to subject them to standardized testing.

Once your child is 7 or older, Montana homeschool laws require parents/caregivers to do the following:

• Notify the county superintendent that you are going to homeschool your child (many places have this form available to submit online).

• Maintain attendance and immunization records.

• Homeschool in a location that complies with local health and safety regulations.

• Provide an organized course of study that includes the required subjects.

• Teach the required hours of instruction each year.

If you opt to begin your homeschooling journey while your child is currently enrolled in private or public school, formal withdrawal is recommended in order to avoid any issues.

In addition to teaching for 720 hours per school fiscal year for grades 1-3; and 1,080 hours for grades 4-12, families must also teach the same subjects as public schools for their student’s grade level. This typically includes the following subjects: English/language arts, math, social studies, science, health, arts and career education.

Parents are free to choose any field trips, curriculum and/or materials to meet these requirements. And while our state doesn’t reimburse parents for homeschooling costs, there are some homeschooling curriculums that offer free assessments, downloadable materials or trial periods prior to committing full-time to their program. Among the most popular homeschooling curriculums available are The Good and Beautiful and The Khan Academy. These programs offer free downloads of their curriculum. The Khan Academy also offers comprehensive videos and tutorials in an array of subjects.

Homeschooling should encourage parents to take a proactive role in record keeping, whether to comply with our state’s homeschooling laws, or to ensure that we are teaching the necessary information and keeping the required hours. Montana homeschooling laws do require parents to keep attendance and immunization records in case the superintendent requests them. However, many families like to keep track of their child’s progress and work completed by keeping homeschool portfolios. These can include things like grades, writing assignments, worksheets, artwork or any other important documents and information.

If you have a high school student who plans on attending college, a high school transcript can be useful, and sometimes even necessary. If you presently participate with an in-state college savings program, it may be worthwhile to reach out to your preferred in-state university to obtain their entrance requirements.

Although families in Montana are required to teach the same subjects that public schools teach, homeschooled students in the state do not receive the same high school diploma as their peers in public school. Homeschoolers can earn a Montana High School Equivalency Diploma by passing the HiSET exam. If your child plans on receiving a post-secondary education, they may have to take the PSAT and SAT, so be sure to find out what each specific college or university requires.

Each school district in Montana has its own requirements and policies for students who are enrolling in public school after homeschooling. It’s important to check with your local school board to determine what steps must be taken in order to enroll your child. Presently, Montana is offering hybrid options as well – your child can be enrolled part time at your local school and be homeschooled part time throughout the year. Check with your local school board for more information regarding the programs and options available.

Finally, once you have embarked upon your homeschooling journey it is vital to connect to others on this same journey. In our age of social media, finding your local community’s co-op calendar is easier than ever. Homeschooling coops today are incredible, the parent investment is reflected in the socialization it provides and they can make a solitary homeschooling experience transformative. Today a simple search on social media can connect you with local groups, providing access to homeschooling field trips, play dates, sports and various other activities. The local co-op is also a perfect way to obtain local resources and a personalized support network as both you and your child grow through this experience.

Wendy Richards is a local homeschooling mom and owner of Salmon Fly Enterprises, Inc. You can reach her at wendy. richards@salmonfly-consulting.com

References:

» Waterford Upstart: www.waterford.org

» Montana Office of Public Instruction Early Childhood Resources: Montana OPI

» Montana Coalition of Home Educators: www.mtche.org/ gettingstarted/

» The Good and the Beautiful: www.thegoodandbeautiful. com/

» The Khan Academy: www.khanacademy.org