Homeschooling in Virginia

Hi, my name is Michelle and I homeschool in Virginia. I am a mother of six, and I've been homeschooling for 11 years now in several states. My children's ages are 15,13,12,10, 2 and a newborn.

If you have any questions or comments about homeschooling in Virginia, contact the Virginia Parent Forum.

Virginia Homeschooling Resources

Legal disclaimer: This section is one family’s story and how they meet the mandatory school attendance laws in Virginia. 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.

My Favorite Local Homeschooling Resources

I love our local homeschool store, Moore Expressions. I recommend that new homeschoolers check out the different groups on Yahoo. I've found a lot of great information by joining some of these groups. Home Educators Associates of Virginia (HEAV) is also a great starting place for new homeschoolers.

A Wonderful State to Homeschool In

I enjoy homeschooling in Virginia. Compared to other states where I have lived, the laws are pretty reasonable. Virginia is a wonderful state to homeschool in because there are so many great educational places to visit and see. Our favorite place to visit is Jamestown.

In Virginia, you need to provide proof that your children are making progress as evidenced by them scoring a certain percentage in standardized testing. These test scores are due by August 1st of each year. Since I have handicapped children, I get them evaluated by an evaluator, which is also an option, but not as widely used. By August 15 of each year, you must fill out paperwork with your local district declaring that you wish to homeschool.

I don't think that the requirements for our state are so rigorous. I file a letter of intent before the school year begins. I list the books we'll be using. I take the option of an evaluation since my children don't do well on standardized tests.

Using an Eclectic Style of Homeschooling for Our Children with Special Needs

We have an eclectic style of homeschooling. I enjoy T4L because I can make sure that there are no gaps in skills learned. As all of my children have learning disabilities and two are multiply handicapped, we spend a lot of time working on the "basics" and reviewing concepts learned.

Homeschooling with Time4Learning

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, <a href="http://www.time4learning.com/program/faq.html#guarantee">satisfaction guaranteed</a>! Sign up for Time4Learning as part of your overall homeschool program.

If you have any questions or comments about homeschooling in Virginia, why not contact me on the Virginia Parent Forum at: michelles6.