{"id":554,"date":"2020-11-27T19:25:49","date_gmt":"2020-11-27T19:25:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rochesterareahomeschoolers.org\/?page_id=554"},"modified":"2020-11-27T20:13:10","modified_gmt":"2020-11-27T20:13:10","slug":"questions-and-answers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rochesterareahomeschoolers.org\/questions-and-answers\/","title":{"rendered":"Questions and Answers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What is homeschooling?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Homeschooling is an alternative to more traditional educational options such as public schools, private schools, charter schools, and religious schools. As homeschoolers we educate or learn alongside our children with a family focus at home, in the community, or in small informal groups. The homeschooling can be anything from curriculum-driven education to radical unschooling, with many options and blends in between.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What about \u201csocialization\u201d?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is probably the question asked most often! What most people usually mean is socializing, rather than socialization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Socialization<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The word actually refers to being able to understand and function within the norms and rules in society. Homeschoolers are typically out and about in the world going to parks, museums, libraries, stores, etc., so learning to be a part of society is a non-issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Socializing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is the one people really worry about, because they want to know whether their child can be with other kids and make friends. Opportunities to socialize and meet other people are many. There are lots of classes and activities available in the community, as well as homeschool organizations to join where you can reach out to others to create your own playgroups, learning co-ops, field trips, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What qualifications do I need?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are no qualifications specified by New York State for a parent\/guardian who wishes to homeschool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How will I teach my child things that I don\u2019t know?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Anything your child wants to or needs to know, you can learn right along with them! Some homeschoolers try to follow very closely what schools are teaching in each subject, while others facilitate learning in all of the required subjects. Some allow the learning to reflect the child\u2019s interests so the child has the time to explore something they are passionate about. Inevitably, homeschooling parents wind up learning lots of new things, or relearning things they learned in school but had forgotten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do I get started? What about report cards and testing?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Check out the New York State Home Instruction regulations for details on what is required. Within ten days of the time you begin homeschooling, you must submit a letter to your district informing them of your decision to homeschool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NY State homeschooling Rules & Regulation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NY State Homeschooling Questions and Answers<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are 4 types of paperwork that need to be submitted every year:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n