CLEARFIELD – Whatever reason parents cite for home schooling their children — building Christian values, better academics, having more control over the process — increasing numbers are turning to the option, getting organized and can’t even remember when or why they considered it the “alternative” method to learning.
For more than 10 years, Clearfield County has been served by the Clearfield Area Christian Home Educators Team, a source of information and advice that, today, represents some 40 families and more than 100 children. The group held an informational session Friday at Clearfield’s First Baptist Church.
“We are a Christian organization, and we teach our children accordingly but we welcome anyone who is interested in home schooling, noted Jennifer Ledford of Curwensville, a member of the CACHET leadership team.
She homeschools her three daughters, ages 7, 5 and 3. Rachel, the 5-year old, is just this year eligible for kindergarten yet she reads on a fourth-grade level and does second-grade math.
“She came to us at 3 and told us she wanted to learn how to read like her (older) sister, Abby. Now Noelle is 3, and she’s starting to read, and Abby is learning Latin,” said the girls’ father, Dan Ledford.
The Ledfords said the assertions that homeschooled children are socially backward and they miss too much without traditional education are myths.
“They’re missing something all right — they’re missing all the bad stuff. They don’t learn how to bully or use bad words. Homeschooled kids are often socially ahead of kids their age and can relate on a adult level. They are typically well-grounded kids who excel in all areas,” noted Dan Ledford.
Flexibility is another plus for the family. “You end up teaching all the time because you’re not locked into that 9 to 3 schedule. I know parents who work the early shift and teach from 3 to 9, others who work weekends and do lessons through the week. Every situation becomes an opportunity to learn,” Jennifer Ledford said.
Tailoring methods to teachers and students is critical to success, which is where CACHET comes in, offering parents method options, helping them find resources and providing a network of advice and assistance, the Ledfords said. The group meets weekly during the traditional school year at the Bigler YMCA for physical education, parent meetings and a learning event for all of the children.
Today, a wealth of curricula and programs are available, unlike a generation ago when the movement’s pioneers had to create their own lesson plans. The Internet is also a good source of information, the Ledfords said.
“The tools are there and the benefits are clear. It’s an amazing process that teaches the parents as much as the kids,” they added.
For more information about CACHET, call Jennifer Ledford at 236-9058, Melissa Neff at 236-8323 or Tammy Witherite at 857-6370.
CACHET offers these tips for homeschooling novices:
* each state has regulations governing homeschooling so seek help from Pennsylvania homeschooling organizations, such as Pennsylvania Homeschoolers, pahomeschoolers.com or the Christian Homeschool Association of PA, chapboard.org. CACHET is a member of CHAP.
* the book, “Guide to PA Homeschool Law” is essential.
* anyone possessing a high school diploma or GED who has not been convicted of a heinous crime with the past five years may homeschool in Pennsylvania.
* paperwork must be filed with your school district’s administrative offices. Refer to the Guide.
* choose a curriculum that suites both student and teacher.
* you must keep a portfolio to show each child receives an appropriate education.
* standardized tests must be administered at the third, fifth and eighth grade levels (or more often if you choose).
* an evaluator must certify annually each child is receiving an appropriate education.
* homeschooled children must receive the same health checkups as public or private school students.