Today I sent our homeschool notification papers! Yea! They included a signed paper from the certified teacher that reviewed our last school year and gave us the all clear.
This begins our 2nd year of homeschool in which the legal paperwork was required. Last year I stressed allot over the "legal requirements" of notification in the beginning and then a teachers assessment at the end. Now that I know what to expect (and more about what is expected of me), I feel much better!
When we moved to Ohio from Michigan it was very hard to not be upset over the differences between homeschool regulations:
Michigan - homeschool to your hearts content and don't worry about telling anyone.
Ohio - fill out papers to legally notify your intent to homeschool, feel stressed by the state requirements, and then "asses" your child in the accepted methods.
Yeah, I'm still a little bitter. But trying to see the good, it does "help" me stay on task for planning and thinking ahead. I felt very confined by all the requirements last year, thinking we needed to do lots of paperwork and more "normal school" activities.... It wasn't working for anyone here and I was going a little crazy. This year I hope to school in a more relaxed way, no more stressed out crazy days would be great! I feel confident that we will meet or exceed the legal requirements, we're awesome like that. Ha!
Anyway, for my own reference, and in an effort to help others who are beginning a home education journey in Ohio, here are a couple of links I found helpful for information and useful forms. I used the PEACH notification form.
Ohio - Department of Education
PEACH - Parents Educating At Christian Homes
Happy Home Schooling!
Update: On Friday, Sept. 4th we received the confirmation letter of our public school excusal. Whatever I did worked! Hooray!
