Making Your Library Work for Homeschoolers

MAKING YOUR LIBRARY WORK FOR

HOMESCHOOLERS

Suzanne WalkerIndiana State LibrarySupervisor of the Professional Development OfficeDirector of the Indiana Center for the Booksuwalker@library.in.gov

MY BACKGROUND WITH HOMESCHOOLERS

• I have never homeschooled children.

• I was not homeschooled.

• I worked at public libraries with avid homeschooling populations for over 10 years.

POLL What is your relationship with homeschooling? Choose

as many as apply to you: I was homeschooled as a child. I have homeschooled children. I work in a library with a homeschooling population. I work in a library but I am not aware of a homeschooling

population in our community.

HOW DID IT START? Started as a countercultural movement during 60’s and

70’s. Christians picked up homeschooling in the 80’s. Very diverse now and happening all over the world.

National Black Home Educators Muslim Home Education Network Australia Room 316 (Resource for Jewish Homeschoolers) Indian Association of Homeschoolers National LDS Homeschool Association National Indigenous Latino Chicano Home Educators

WHY DO PEOPLE HOMESCHOOL?

Religious reasons Economic reasons Special education or special needs reasons Bad experience at school either with other students, a

teacher, a principal, etc. Quality of education Health reasons Attachment Parenting Implementation of Common Core Standards Whole host of reasons

DIFFERENT WAYS TO LEARN AT HOME

Online curriculums Online schools Book based curriculums Unschooling – Education that come naturally through play,

household duties, reading, travel, family, personal interests Autodidactic approach (self taught) Homeschooling Groups Other ways too…

http://www.lds-nha.org/homeschooling-philosophies/ - More ways here!

HOW MANY PEOPLE NATIONALLY? According to data published on May 7, 2015 by the National Center for Education Statistics(NCES), in 2003 1,096,000 school-aged children were homeschooled in the U.S., representing 2.2 percent of the total number of students in that age range that year (ages 5-17).

In 2012, the number homeschooled was 1,773,000, or 3.4 percent of elementary and secondary school-aged children that year.

HOW MANY PEOPLE NATIONALLY?

2003 20120

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

1,200,000

1,400,000

1,600,000

1,800,000

2,000,000

# of Children Homeschooled Nationally

# of Children Homeschooled Nationally

HOW MANY PEOPLE NATIONALLY?

2,000,000

And counting…

HOW MANY PEOPLE IN INDIANA HOMESCHOOL?

Data from the Indiana Department of Education from several years ago…

HOW MANY PEOPLE IN INDIANA HOMESCHOOL?

The updated info from an email inquiry… from the Department of Education

2011-2012 –

50,000

2012-2013 –

78,000

KEEP IN MIND… Just like any job, some people are great at

homeschooling, some people just do enough to get by, and some people should probably find another career.

You might disagree with their choice to homeschool or how they are homeschooling, but, as with every reference interview you do, keep your judgments to yourself and do your best to help the patron.

WHAT IS THE PUBLIC LIBRARY’S ROLE?

Be knowledgeable about resources Have good collections including online content and nonfiction

in lots of reading levels Get to know your community

Gee…that’s something I do every day!

WHAT IS HELPFUL Know the Homeschooling law in your state Know your community

THE LAW – INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RESEARCH HOME EDUCATION TRANSFER YOUR CHILD AND NOTIFY HIS OR HER

CURRENT PRINCIPAL, IN WRITING, OF YOUR DECISION

REQUEST A COPY OF YOUR CHILD'S PUBLIC SCHOOL RECORDS

180 DAYS OF INSTRUCTION: You decide which days your school will be in session, and how long to teach each day. In the case of mid-year transfers, days attended at the first school count toward the 180 day total at the homeschool.

ATTENDANCE RECORDS

http://www.doe.in.gov/student-services/home-school/homeschool-help-sheet

THE LAW – INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION INSTRUCTION EQUIVALENT TO THAT GIVEN IN THE

PUBLIC SCHOOLS: State law does not define equivalency of instruction for public or private schools. If there is ever a question of educational neglect, keeping good attendance records and other documentation regarding attendance and continuing educational activity is highly instrumental in addressing these concerns.

http://www.doe.in.gov/student-services/home-school/homeschool-help-sheet

THE LAW – INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CURRICULUM: State law exempts home schools from

the curriculum and program requirements which public schools must follow.

http://www.doe.in.gov/student-services/home-school/homeschool-help-sheet

THE LAW – CALIFORNIA FOUR LEGAL ALTERNATIVES FOR HOME EDUCATORS (1)  California is one of twelve states in which "home schooling" is accomplished under a private school exemption. Home educators

may establish a private school, based in their home, and must file a private school affidavit with the Superintendent of Public Instruction of California (normally between October 1st and 15th every school year).  On August 8, 2008, the California Court of Appeals for the Second Appellate District confirmed in their In re Jonathan L. ruling (formerly In re Rachel L.) that “California statutes permit homeschooling as a species of private school education.”   Children enrolled in a private school are exempt from attendance in a public school.  Under this provision [E.C. §§48222 and 33190], the following requirements apply to all private schools:

The instructors must be capable of teaching (determined by the private school administrator). The instruction must be in English. The instruction must be in the several branches of study required in public schools. Certain pupil and school records must be on file. Certain Health Department forms must be on file. (2)  Home schooling parents may enroll their children in a private school PSP (private school satellite program) that has filed a private

school affidavit with the Superintendent of Public Instruction of California [same legal exemption and requirements as #1 above].  A private school satellite program (PSP) may be composed entirely of home educators or may be an extension program of a campus-based private school.

There is technically no more or no less legal protection or covering in our current Education Codes [E.C. §§33190 & 48222] for either options (1) or (2) above.  Based upon past experience, every homeschooling family would be very wise to join and secure the protection of the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA).  For both options (1) and (2), parents should properly state that their children are enrolled in a private school when communicating with school and other officials.

Families enrolled in Out-of-State schools/programs are required by state law to be enrolled in a California private school (single home-based or PSP) with a California physical address for its location.  It is unnecessary and unwise to voluntarily mention enrollment in out-of-state schools/programs.  It is not illegal in California to be enrolled in an out-of-state program, as long as it is represented as a source of curriculum and/or services and not as a means of legal compliance.  Public school pupil records (called cum files) should be sent for but not by an out-of-stateprogram. (See www.pheofca.org/Withdrawing Your Child From School .)

(3)  A child being taught by a home-schooling parent, who has a valid California teacher's credential for the grades and subjects taught, is exempted from attendance in a public school under the tutorial exemption.  [E.C. §48224]

(4)  The home-schooled pupil may enroll in a public school independent study program (ISP) [E.C. §§51745-51747] or a charter school offering home study [E.C. §47600 et al.] if available in your school district or county.  In these two programs, the home-schooling family is totally under the authority of the public schools.  We do not recommend these two public school options.  For more details on the problems with these options, visit our website at www.pheofca.org/CharterSchools.html .

http://www.pheofca.org/legalfactsheet.html

GET TO KNOW YOUR COMMUNITY Look at your library visitors and talk to them. Check with other area organizations. Research homeschooling in your state and your

community. Attend a meeting if you can find one. Check with area churches.

THINGS TO DO IF YOU HAVE AN ACTIVE HOMESCHOOLING COMMUNITY Review your policies…make sure they take into account

your homeschooling community. Pay special attention to your room reservations and

circulation policies.

Video: Homeschoolers told to leave library because they were a “group” and did not reserve space ahead of time…

http://www.clipsyndicate.com/video/playlist/10833/4038636?cpt=8&title=cengage_broadcast&wpid=6424

THINGS TO DO IF YOU HAVE AN ACTIVE HOMESCHOOLING COMMUNITY Create a packet for homeschoolers

Explain the laws in your state Links to curriculums (not endorsed, of course) Local homeschooling programs Local homeschoolers (with permission) Outline of library services

THINGS TO DO IF YOU HAVE AN ACTIVE HOMESCHOOLING COMMUNITY Get to know your families who homeschool

Ask them what they need Ask them if you can refer questions to them

Consider subscribing to a homeschooling magazine or two http://homeschoolingtoday.com/ http://www.home-school.com/

Consider doing some programs for homeschoolers

THINGS THEY WANT IN A RECENT UNSCIENTIFIC POLL… Area for children taking online classes (think Webinar set

up…or Skyping, with microphones and headphones available)

Free Wifi Audio books, particularly classics…find what they want… Nonfiction materials in a wide variety of reading levels Flexibility with circulation policies Meeting places with other parents Testing proxy Programs for their kids, including messy art programs

THINGS TO DO IF YOU HAVE AN ACTIVE HOMESCHOOLING COMMUNITY You don’t have to be an expert You don’t have to know how to homeschool

They are traditionally very good at finding and using resources

Just know where the experts are!

NEXT UP: PROGRAMS

QUESTIONS?

PROGRAMMING LOGISTICS You can do Homeschooling Programs during school hours Many times there are more than one child to a family, so

your programs may fill up quicker than you anticipate…you could just have 3-5 families and have a full program

Do what works for you, your library, and your patron base Remember, you may have returners! Parents will appreciate opportunities for their kids to

practice public speaking and group activities Don’t lump all the homeschoolers in the same program

FIRST PROGRAMS… Library Open House for Homeschooling families Introduction to the Library’s databases Homeschool Meet Up for various ages

PROGRAMS FOR K-6 Show and Tell How to Use the Library Class Walking Tour of your neighborhood Arts and Crafts Ice Breakers In Depth Literature Unit – Little House on the Prairie Parent / Child Book Group Makerspaces and Robots Cooking Music - Recorders

PROGRAMS FOR 7-12 In Depth Literature Unit – The Book Thief Research Unit – Choose a country Book Clubs Library Community Garden Internet Safety Makerspaces and Robots Cooking Cultural arts and crafts College and University Days Get them on your Teen Council…give them other

volunteer opportunities

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIESChicks! http://mplhatchingchicks.blogspot.com/

SLEEPING BEAUTY PLAY OR OTHER PERFORMANCES…

UKRAINIAN PYSANKY

SPELLING BEE See if your region participates in the Scripps Spelling

Bee. You can become a registered Homeschool Group. 145.00 for Enrollment:

http://spellingbee.com/search/content?keys=homeschool See if there is a need and see if your families are

interested

FLAT STANLEY Great way to get

them writing and public speaking.

MORE IDEAS Field Trips Partner agencies Consider promoting your book awards Games and Gamings Messy Art Projects

KEEP IN MIND Schedule and advertise your programs ahead of time. Avoid religious holidays Food issues Keep in mind accessibility issues for these families

(Communication is key!)

PLEASE SHARE YOUR PROGRAM IDEAS BRIEFLY IN

THE CHAT BOX.

POLL How are you feeling now about serving homeschoolers?

Great! Can’t wait to get started! Good. Learned some practical ideas today. Nervous still. Very unsure.

CONFERENCES…TO ATTEND OR TO EXHIBIT AT: http://www.ihmconference.org/: Immaculate Heart of

Mary Catholic Homeschooling Conferences https://www.greathomeschoolconventions.com/: Great

Homeschool Conventions (four regional events) http://www.secularhomeschool.com/content/391-secular-i

nclusive-homeschool-conventions/: Secular / Inclusive Homeschool Conventions

http://www.northeastunschoolingconference.com/: Northeast Unschooling Conference

http://www.iahe.net/2016-iahe-home-educators-convention: Indiana Association of Home Educators’ Convention

BENEFITS TO SERVING HOMESCHOOLERS Develop special relationships Can be great for your program numbers Double Dipping on Programs Parent involvement is usually high You may be able to do more involved programs/projects They tend to come back Older students can be called upon to help younger

students They can help you with other programs Good source of volunteers

QUESTIONS?

Thanks!

Suzanne WalkerIndiana State Library

suwalker@library.in.govTwitter: @suzieecw

SOURCES Larabell, John T. "Homeschooling: A Positive Trend Giving

Hope To American Education. (Cover Story)." New American (08856540) 31.24 (2015): 10. Points of View Reference Center. Web. 11 Nov. 2016.

http://www.nbhe.net/resources/curriculum-suggestions/ http://www.lds-nha.org/homeschooling-philosophies/ Pictures from Pixabay.com