Homeschooling in Montana - Anywhere,MT Review

After 10 years of homeschooling our children, I can't imagine it being any other way.

Homeschooling in the state of Montana is actually a lot easier than other places we have lived. You can find detailed laws at Home School Legal Defense, but I will give an overview below.

1. Compulsory attendance ages: 7 years of age or older prior to the first day of school and the later of the following dates: (a) the child's 16th birthday; (b) the day of completion of the work of the 8th grade.
2. You must provide 720 hours per year for grades 1-3 and 1,080 hours per year for grades 4-12.
3. You must teach (but not limited to) the same basic instructional program as the public schools.
4. You must notify the your county superintendent of schools of your intent to home school each year. (We strongly recommend in writing, always keeping a copy for your records.) Some counties provide forms - you are not required to use them. The letter of intent must include parents name(s), mailing address, students names (those of compulsory age only), school year, and be signed and dated. If you are asked for any more information than this, you are not required to give it.
5. You must maintain attendance and immunization records and make them available to the county superintendent of schools upon request.
6. The letter of intent, attendance records, and immunization records are the only items the school system can legally request of you. If they send anything more for you to fill out, they are outside the scope of the law, and you are not required to comply.
7. There is no testing required by the State of Montana.

There are a lot of groups and co-ops in individual communities, including virtual ones in Yahoo groups. I encourage any new homeschooler to join and get involved. Meeting other homeschoolers is the best way to begin. Ask lots of questions and listen when they share advice.

Don't overdo it when buying curriculum. You will only find what works by trial and error and you don't want to sink a lot of money into something that doesn't work for your child's learning style. Don't feel like you have to use a curriculum word for word and page by page. Adapt things for yourself and your children. Too many homeschoolers burn themselves and their children out the first year by using books made for a school setting - way too in-depth for your living room.

Remember that learning takes place everywhere. Even a trip to the grocery store becomes a learning experience. Do check into activities in your area for P.E., art and field trips. They are much for fun when done with other homeschoolers and mom can visit with other moms.

Below are just a few websites to help you get started. Have a great homeschool year!

www.hslda.org  ................................... Home School Legal Defense Association

www.mtche.org ...................................... Montana Coalition of Home Educators

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cascadecountyhomeschoolers  .... Cascade Co. Homeschoolers

www.christianbook.com ...... Christian Book Distributors (Discount Materials)

www.hometrainingtools.com/ ................................... Practical Science Tools

www.homeschoolyellowpages.com .......... Home School Internet Yellow Pages

www.homeschoolchristian.com ..................................... Home School Christian

www.denimjumpers.com ................. Home School Stuff by Home School Folks