We recently moved to Maryland and I am learning the homeschool laws and requirements here. But before we moved we were residents of Pennsylvania which requires yearly:
Notarized Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool
Goals and Objectives
Evaluations by certified Evaluator
Testing in grades 3, 5 and 8
Portfolio turned into your local superintedent (to include samples of work for every subject to show sustained improvement, evaluation and test grades if applicable)
I would just tuck my affidavit and goals and objectives for the following year in with the portfolio to avoid having to do it at the beginning of the school year.
If you will allow me to step up on my soap box to say I think that is more than enough information for any school district to ask for. And as such I refuse to go above and beyond. My reasoning for this is if you keep giving more, they'll keep asking for more and that makes it even harder for us, new homeschoolers and especially those with learning disabilities who may not fit the mold. So - if you must create a beautiful, overflowing, highly detailed portfolio, please save it for family and friends, youth group, the ice cream man...anyone but the school district. Follow the law to the letter, but please don't give them more and cause them to expect more from everyone else.
Okay, moving on. I apply my "less is more" philosophy to the goals and objectives too. And this year, more than any other, I was happy for this decision. It was so nice to be able to print out three blanket goals and objectives rather than itemized lists for each student. So I decided to share my goals and objectives in case you're looking for ways to make your homeschool life easier. Here's my blanket Goals and Objectives form that will work for any grade level, gender and subject with a little tweaking. Enjoy!
English:
To continue to improve reading, spelling, grammar and composition skills. This will be accomplished through the utilization of materials such as fiction and non-fiction literature, audio books, movies, written and oral reports and varying curricula.
Math:
To complete mathematical curriculum at appropriate grade level, use these skills in daily life applications as well as master new concepts as they are introduced. Text books, free play, board and card games and live transactions will be incorporated.
Science:
To continue to introduce new concepts and master these through reading, observation, journaling and experimentation. Museums, nature centers and nature studies will be enjoyed throughout the year.
Social Studies:
Many subjects will be covered, including but not limited to geography, history, cultural studies and civics. This will be accomplished through literature, mapping activities, field trips, arts and crafts, food and timelines.
Health, Safety and Physical Education:
Regular opportunities for physical activity will be provided. Student will also participate in organized sports and hobbies. Topics such as health, nutrition and physical development will be covered as appropriate for age level. Fire safety and drug awareness will also be covered.
Arts and Humanities:
Student will have the opportunity to pursue interests in art, music, drama and/or language. A variety of media, tools and techniques will be used for self expression. Concerts, art shows, plays and more will be experienced.
Enrichment:
Student will attend a homeschool co-op this year as well as church activities and youth group. At least one group sport will also be required. Student will be offered ample time and encouragement to explore their interests.
Notarized Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool
Goals and Objectives
Evaluations by certified Evaluator
Testing in grades 3, 5 and 8
Portfolio turned into your local superintedent (to include samples of work for every subject to show sustained improvement, evaluation and test grades if applicable)
I would just tuck my affidavit and goals and objectives for the following year in with the portfolio to avoid having to do it at the beginning of the school year.
If you will allow me to step up on my soap box to say I think that is more than enough information for any school district to ask for. And as such I refuse to go above and beyond. My reasoning for this is if you keep giving more, they'll keep asking for more and that makes it even harder for us, new homeschoolers and especially those with learning disabilities who may not fit the mold. So - if you must create a beautiful, overflowing, highly detailed portfolio, please save it for family and friends, youth group, the ice cream man...anyone but the school district. Follow the law to the letter, but please don't give them more and cause them to expect more from everyone else.
Okay, moving on. I apply my "less is more" philosophy to the goals and objectives too. And this year, more than any other, I was happy for this decision. It was so nice to be able to print out three blanket goals and objectives rather than itemized lists for each student. So I decided to share my goals and objectives in case you're looking for ways to make your homeschool life easier. Here's my blanket Goals and Objectives form that will work for any grade level, gender and subject with a little tweaking. Enjoy!
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES : YEAR/YEAR
English:
To continue to improve reading, spelling, grammar and composition skills. This will be accomplished through the utilization of materials such as fiction and non-fiction literature, audio books, movies, written and oral reports and varying curricula.
Math:
To complete mathematical curriculum at appropriate grade level, use these skills in daily life applications as well as master new concepts as they are introduced. Text books, free play, board and card games and live transactions will be incorporated.
Science:
To continue to introduce new concepts and master these through reading, observation, journaling and experimentation. Museums, nature centers and nature studies will be enjoyed throughout the year.
Social Studies:
Many subjects will be covered, including but not limited to geography, history, cultural studies and civics. This will be accomplished through literature, mapping activities, field trips, arts and crafts, food and timelines.
Health, Safety and Physical Education:
Regular opportunities for physical activity will be provided. Student will also participate in organized sports and hobbies. Topics such as health, nutrition and physical development will be covered as appropriate for age level. Fire safety and drug awareness will also be covered.
Arts and Humanities:
Student will have the opportunity to pursue interests in art, music, drama and/or language. A variety of media, tools and techniques will be used for self expression. Concerts, art shows, plays and more will be experienced.
Enrichment:
Student will attend a homeschool co-op this year as well as church activities and youth group. At least one group sport will also be required. Student will be offered ample time and encouragement to explore their interests.
Great post. I live in PA and also believe in minimal compliance. I just cringe when I see the packed 3-inch binders in the school district office. One woman actually said to me "I know I give them too much, but I can't bear to get rid of it!" She seemed not to comprehend the possibility of keeping it for herself but not turning it all in. Crazy.
ReplyDeleteBut I also know that in my school district, at least, minimal compliance is appreciated. They don't want to go through every worksheet, composition, and sewing project either!
Great point Margaret! What a chore it must be for them to sort through thousands and thousands of portfolios jam packed with worksheests, essays and crafts.
ReplyDeleteHello Cheryl! Another PA homeschooler here...and another minimalist. I had to call HSLDA on our school district last year, to keep them on their side of the law (which they were, blatantly ignoring). This year...5 samples per subject. No photos (as I have done in past years). No field trip list. Short, sweet, and minimal.
ReplyDeleteOur district has nitpicked our attendance forms, our reading material, and critique our curriculum. They called our science curriculum UNSCIENTIFIC...Alpha Omega Switched on Schoolhouse-crossing the church state line anyone? In fact, my hubs is talking about showing up at the next school board meeting. Turns out, the man that has been delegated with reviewing portfolios, is married to the president of the local teachers union. Conflict of interest, much?
Cheryl, I like your list of things you plan to accomplish. It is broad enough to allow for variations and detailed enough to show what you plan to do.
ReplyDeletethumbs in ears - wiggling fingers - tongue sticking out - spitting wildly -- I LIKE MY PORTFOLIO !!!
ReplyDeleteWe live in PA (southern Chester County) and have homeschooled here for 20 years. Never once have I submitted a portfolio to the school district. Rather, I've chosen the option of having an independent evaluator look over my sons' portfolios to make sure they are receiving an appropriate education. Our evaluator signs a form confirming this, which I then submit to the school district by June 30. I also submit copies of my sons' yearly standardized testing results so the school district can see an objective report of their progress in various areas. (I choose to do this; standardized testing is only required in certain years.) Of course, having an independent evaluator means paying her, but even when money was tight, I felt it was a worthwhile expense.
ReplyDeleteWe've been very blessed with a homeschool-friendly school district, and throughout all these years, there has only been one instance of the district overstepping their lawful limits. HSLDA got right on it, and the district backed down immediately. The folks at the district, themselves, have been polite, friendly, and reasonable. I've been careful to comply with the June 30 and August 1 deadlines, not wanting to give them reason to complain.
I have heard stories of less-friendly adjacent school districts, so I know we're very blessed with ours, and I agree with the thesis of this blog that less is more. That's why we chose to work with an independent evaluator rather than submit our portfolios to the school district each year.
LOL then keep it for the ice cream man! ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Suanna, good to see you again!
ReplyDeleteGood for you. Some of the horror stories I've heard are similar and really surprising. And as for unscientific?? Bwahaha - they don't have a leg to stand on for that one :)
ReplyDeleteHow fortunate Sara, a good school district makes all the difference. I also use an independent evaluator whom I pay. She looks over the portfolio then I just stick her report, plus the affadavit and test scores in the portfolio. I only include test grades in 3, 5 and 8 since that's what the law stipulates. But I wonder if the whole portfolio thing is open to interpretation. Very interesting indeed, maybe I should have moved to Chester County LOL. Congrats on 20 years of homeschooling! What an inspiring accomplishment!!
ReplyDeleteAnother PA homeschooler here, too. We've only homeschooled for two years (our children are 8 yo) and there is so much ambiguity when it comes to what an "appropriate education" means. I thought I was a minimalist until we went to a different evaluator this year (seems evaluators even differ on what they consider appropriate to mean) who had me remove all pictures, field trip notes, etc. So the school district got 10 samples from each subject, calendar, curriculum list, book list and the evaluator's form. And they accepted it.
ReplyDeleteSo many things are hard to demonstrate except through pictures, art for example and field trips for another.
But in the end, we've decided to do again next year what we did this year and keep everything in a bin here at home and provide the district with only the minimum, for at least as long as they will accept it anyways. Oh and for those that do not know, according to HSLDA PA is the most restrictive state in the union when it comes to homeschooling freedom. Lucky us.
Yes, I think it really does vary district to district, superindents, evaluators etc. I only do 3 samples in the main subjects - math, science and writing. Anything else I just list the books, mediums, crafts, field trips etc we took. Guess I.m lazy LOL. But our district never complained so that's good.
ReplyDeleteWow, I did not know that about PA, I though NY was the worst. It makes sense though, there are quite a few hoops to jump through.