Homeschooling in Idaho-really easy? (credit, house, public school)

[TiffanyGreen]

Our main purpose of moving to Idaho if for their homeschooling program. Or lack thereof. With teachers raping and molesting students, beating them, abusing them, strip-searching, drugs, bullying, metal detectors, cameras, locker room cameras, tasering, etc. we have decided without a doubt to home-school.

In NY, there is a homeschooling program. However, it must be through a school, with the school's curriculum, with a government representative doing weekly home visits, all state testing and exams. Furthermore, the parent must have a teaching degree and be certified in NYS to be a teacher!

Our entire interest in Idaho started with it's homeschooling program. Just curious if it is as easy and government non-intrusive as they say it is. Anyone have experience with homeschooling in Idaho? Or at least hear anything about it? Thanks a bunch!

[Alp-Nub]

We don't homeschool, however many of our friends at church do. They have never mentioned problems with the state about it.

[jadbad2004]

I have never done Idaho home schooling but many of my friends have, it is very common in Idaho to home school, some links:

Idaho State Department of Education - Home School

INSPIRE, the Idaho Connections Academy - Receive a FREE Program Guide

Idaho Homeschooling Information

Idaho Home School: Idaho Law

[mistyriver]

I homeschooled my daughter and there is nothing to it in Idaho. You may have to notify the district of your intentions but that is it.

[Sage of Sagle]

Originally Posted by TiffanyGreen

Our main purpose of moving to Idaho if for their homeschooling program. Or lack thereof. With teachers raping and molesting students, beating them, abusing them, strip-searching, drugs, bullying, metal detectors, cameras, locker room cameras, tasering, etc. we have decided without a doubt to home-school.

In NY, there is a homeschooling program. However, it must be through a school, with the school's curriculum, with a government representative doing weekly home visits, all state testing and exams. Furthermore, the parent must have a teaching degree and be certified in NYS to be a teacher!

Our entire interest in Idaho started with it's homeschooling program. Just curious if it is as easy and government non-intrusive as they say it is. Anyone have experience with homeschooling in Idaho? Or at least hear anything about it? Thanks a bunch!

We are currently homeschooling. Idaho is the most homeschooling friendly state we've ever seen. In fact, in Bonner County, our kids can even take any and every part time class at the high school they want, including any/all sports and extra-curricular activities.

Our kids play sports for the local high school, are involved with some HS extra-curricular activities, and also have done classes at both SHS and at NIC as dual-enrollment students. We also keep very careful transcripts for the NCAA Clearinghouse and for their college admissions, of course, and we've also had them take the PSAT, SAT, and Compass tests early since those are additional useful metrics for us during the HS years and high Compass test scores equals 6 units of college English credits.

Coming from a state like CA or NY, Idaho is homeschooling paradise. Seriously.

[TiffanyGreen]

Originally Posted by mistyriver

I homeschooled my daughter and there is nothing to it in Idaho. You may have to notify the district of your intentions but that is it.

Wonderful to hear! Thank you!

Originally Posted by jadbad2004

I have never done Idaho home schooling but many of my friends have, it is very common in Idaho to home school, some links:

Idaho State Department of Education - Home School

INSPIRE, the Idaho Connections Academy - Receive a FREE Program Guide

Idaho Homeschooling Information

Idaho Home School: Idaho Law

Great links. Thanks a bunch!

Originally Posted by Sage of Sagle

We are currently homeschooling. Idaho is the most homeschooling friendly state we've ever seen. In fact, in Bonner County, our kids can even take any and every part time class at the high school they want, including any/all sports and extra-curricular activities.

Our kids play sports for the local high school, are involved with some HS extra-curricular activities, and also have done classes at both SHS and at NIC as dual-enrollment students. We also keep very careful transcripts for the NCAA Clearinghouse and for their college admissions, of course, and we've also had them take the PSAT, SAT, and Compass tests early since those are additional useful metrics for us during the HS years and high Compass test scores equals 6 units of college English credits.

Coming from a state like CA or NY, Idaho is homeschooling paradise. Seriously.

All fantastic to hear. Thanks everyone. Along with all the horror stories about public school, the truancy officers here have a right to break down house doors to retrieve kids for celebrating their birthdays on a school day! Crazy stuff!

There are a few homeschooling States in the South, but we had no interest in the south. California is moderately home-school friendly. But then you have to live in California. lol

I've read a lot about home schooling in Idaho, of course. Especially here. But it's good just to get some word-of-mouth assurance. Thanks again!

[lovecda]

Homeschooling has strong support from Idahoans and our politicians. Periodically there'll be some noise about tying home school curriculum down, but it never goes anywhere. Homeschoolers are generally given a lot of access to sports and public school courses--it makes sense, everyone has to pay into the public school system, even if they don't have kids there.

There are also homeschool groups scattered throughout the state where homeschooling parents can meet and talk about the issues they face, compare notes on opportunities for the kids, etc.

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

Originally Posted by Sage of Sagle

.

Coming from a state like CA or NY, Idaho is (snip) paradise. Seriously.

Fixed. I can't speak for CA, but compared to NY State, Idaho is paradise in nearly every metric! I did say NEARLY every one...if only I could only find a good order of wings!

[Sage of Sagle]

Originally Posted by TiffanyGreen

California is moderately home-school friendly. But then you have to live in California. lol

We moved here from California. It's NOT AT ALL homeschool friendly. Seriously. And homeschoolers are most definitely second class citizens there. It was one of the factors in our decision to move here.

[TiffanyGreen]

Originally Posted by Toyman at Jewel Lake

Fixed. I can't speak for CA, but compared to NY State, Idaho is paradise in nearly every metric! I did say NEARLY every one...if only I could only find a good order of wings!

Ah! You know? We do have good food here. At least Idaho seems to have some Mexican restaurants. I missed that from Cali. Delicious, cheap, dirty little joints.