Vermont Homeschooling Information

Homeschooling in Vermont

Are you a new homeschooling parent looking for information on Vermont homeschool laws, Vermont support groups, or homeschool curriculum? If so, you've come to the right place.

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

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

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

Legal disclaimer: This section is one family's story and how they meet the mandatory homeschooling requirements in Vermont. 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.

Vermont Homeschool Resources

Both new and veteran homeschoolers can benefit from the wealth of Vermont homeschool resources available. Although Vermont does not currently have a statewide homeschool association, many counties in Vermont have at least one local support group for homeschoolers. We've listed a few of the starting points for finding out more about homeschooling resources in Vermont:

• Vermont Homeschooling Information – About.com's site for information, resources and support for all Vermont homeschoolers
• Vermont Christian Homeschool Mothers – A Yahoo group connecting Christian homeschool moms across the state
• Home Instruction in Vermont – The Vermont State Education Department's page of homeschooling information

Vermont Homeschool Laws

The state of Vermont requires compulsory school attendance of children between the ages 6 and 16, or until completion of 10th grade. Vermont has no requirements for specific number of days or hours of instruction, but recommends a minimum course of study including reading, writing, math, citizenship, history, United States and Vermont government, physical education, health, English, American and other literature, science and fine arts. Homeschooled students 13 years and older are not required to take physical education, health, or fine arts.

Vermont's homeschool operation, usually called "home study program," requires that parents send in a written enrollment notice to the commissioner for each child they plan to homeschool. Then, they are asked to file an annual notice anytime after March 1 of each year, which will include the following information:

• The name and age, by year and month, of the child
• Names, mailing addresses, town of legal residence, and phone numbers of parents or guardians
• For each child enrolled in the previous year, an assessment of progress
• For each child not previously enrolled in a Vermont public school or Vermont home study program, "independent professional evidence on whether the child has a disability"
• Names, addresses, telephone numbers, and signatures of all persons providing ongoing instruction in any required subject other than physical education, health, and fine arts
• Signatures of all custodial parents or guardians who are legally authorized to make educational decisions for the student

Parents must also submit an outline of each course of study, which covers the content of that course for the year. Assessments for students can be handled in one of several ways:

• A report in a form designated by the commissioner or by a Vermont certified teacher
• A report prepared by the parents, the student's instructor, or a teacher advisory service report from a publisher of a commercial curriculum together with a portfolio of the student's work that includes work samples to demonstrate progress in each subject area in the minimum course of study (not including physical education, health, or fine arts for children over 12)
• The complete results of a standardized achievement test on a list approved by the commissioner, administered in a manner approved by the testing company, and scored in accordance with the law

After his first day using Time4Learning, my son looked over at me and said 'I'm really smart mom!' That statement is priceless!

Time4Learning started out as a supplement, but has now become more of a center piece to our homeschooling. I wasn't expecting that at all!

Choosing Homeschool Curriculum

Vermont 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 programs. 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 Vermont, head over to the Vermont 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.