Montana Homeschooling Information

Homeschooling in Montana

Montana is a state that may be low in population, but is high in independence. Montana residents are free-spirited, eccentric and untamed. It is no surprise then that homeschooling is not something out of the ordinary in the Treasure State. If you are homeschooling or thinking of homeschooling in Montana, this page is designed to help you better understand the requirements and find the resources and support you need.

If you have questions or comments about homeschooling in Montana, check out our homeschooling tools and resources or visit our online Montana support group.

To find out more about the legal requirements for homeschooling in Montana, articles, and state-specific resources, you can also visit one of these sites:

• Montana CRT Test Prep resource page
• The Homeschool Mom's Montana support page
• Home Education in Montana by Ann Zeise
• Homeschool World Montana support groups

Legal disclaimer: This section is one family's story and how they meet the mandatory school attendance laws in Montana. It is not intended and should not be used as definitive legal advice. In most states, parents find a variety of legal methods to pursue the educational approach that they prefer for their child.

Finding Support in Montana

One of the biggest challenges of homeschooling in Montana is the spread of the population. Many homes are located quite remotely making it difficult to schedule and participate in homeschooling group activities. This doesn't mean that there are no sources of support. Montana has a state homeschooling association,the Montana Coalition of Home Educators, and several online message boards, email groups, and forums for sharing advice and information.

The following are some of the popular sources of online support and information:

• Montana Homeschool Information Packet – Information from the Montana Office of Public Instruction
• Homeschooling in Montana - About.com's page for Montana Homeschoolers
• Montana Homeschool Support Groups – List of Montana homeschool support groups by county

To add your resource, please send an email to info@Time4Learning.com.

Anyone Can Homeschool in Montana

Montana has very few legal loopholes to jump through in order to homeschool in the state. There are no requirements as to who can homeschool, or what curriculum they must use, and there are no required standardized tests. The only requirements requested of Montana homeschoolers are the following:

• Keep attendance and immunization records for each homeschooled child.
• Conduct instruction for a minimum of 720 hours in grades 1-3 and 1,080 hours in grades 4-12.
• Conduct instruction in a building that meets health and safety standards.
• Provide an "organized course of instruction."
• Annually notify the county superintendent of the intent to homeschool.

Parents and families will interpret these guidelines in varying ways and may differ widely in their understanding of how to fulfill each of their requirements.

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Choosing Homeschool Curriculum

Montana homeschool law includes the freedom for families to pick and choose their own curriculum based on what works best for their child. However, families new to homeschooling quickly discover a dizzying array of choices when it comes to selecting homeschool curriculum. There is no more popular discussion among homeschoolers on the web than the pros and cons of various homeschool curriculum. After sifting through the homeschool curriculum reviews, most parents end up mixing and matching homeschool programs, trying to create the best match for their child.

Time4Learning's experience shows that there is no single, best homeschool material. Rather than feeling torn between homeschool resources, parents should select a diverse blend of materials and activities.

For families with more than one child, choosing a homeschool program can be more problematic. What works for one child may not work for another. What works for one subject may not work on the next. What works one year, may fall flat the very next year.

Some of the features that make Time4Learning so successful include:

• Time4Learning appeals to a wide range of learning styles. Our online learning materials are especially well-suited to children who are visual or kinesthetic learners. These children can take advantage of Time4Learning's interactive, multi-media materials.
• Children like using the computer to learn. It's a convenient, interactive homeschool resource that provides a welcome change each day to paper-and-pencil workbooks and textbook-based lessons.
• Parents like that it tracks progress and helps children advance by clearly presenting and reinforcing each lesson.
• Time4Learning's self-paced, modularized lesson plans allow you to move forward and back through the materials whenever you want. You can skip lessons that teach concepts your child has already mastered and repeat those he or she has not. The choice is yours. With Time4Learning, you are always in control.

Time4Learning is proven effective with homeschoolers, has a low monthly price, is easy-to-use, and provides a money-back guarantee so you can make sure that it works for your children!

Sign up for Time4Learning as part of your overall homeschool program.

If you have any more questions or comments about homeschooling in Montana, head over to the Montana Parents Forum.

Some Helpful Tools and Resources

Welcome to Homeschooling Guide - Are you new to homeschooling? This guide was written by seasoned homeschoolers to answer some of the difficult questions new families often struggle with.

Curriculum Lesson Plans - An overview of the number of lessons that are included for each grade and subject. All students have access to at least 2 (and in most cases 3) grade levels of curriculum for each subject, so they can move ahead or review at their own pace.

Homeschool Portfolio Information - Answers common questions about homeschool portfolios and evaluations. It includes tips on organization methods, what to include and how Time4Learning can be used as part of your homeschool portfolio.

The Lesson Activity Finder - One of the many helpful tools that Time4Learning offers its members. The activity finder is a shortcut that makes it easy for parents to preview lessons or find extra practice for their child. You can visit our hints and help section for more information about the activity finder.

Lesson Planning Worksheet - Wondering how many lessons to have your child do each day? Estimate the number of activities per day using this easy to use, printable worksheet.

Online Parent's Forum - Reach out to homeschoolers in your area, join discussions, ask questions and trade ideas on our online community of homeschooling parents. Having the support of seasoned homeschoolers can really help make your homeschooling journey a success.

Sign up for Time4Learning and gain access to a variety of educational materials, which will engage and challenge your child to succeed. Make Time4Learning a part of your children's homeschool resources.

I want to Learn More about Time4Learning's homeschool curriculum or how to use the program for afterschool enrichment.