by Rachel Green
August 13, 2019
One common comment we hear at LifeLine is “I feel like I need to homeschool my child with disabilities, but I nave no idea where to start!” Homeschooling can be a great way to tailor an education that meets your child’s unique needs. If you feel led to move in that direction, here’s what to do:
1. Select an umbrella school. An umbrella school acts as the middleman between you and the state, allowing you the freedom to operate as your own private school.
Reach out to private schools in your area, or check out these popular umbrella schools that exist to help homeschoolers and their parents:
• Aaron Academy
• Family Christian Academy
• Homelife Academy
• Gateway Christian Academy
Remember to call or email the umbrella school to inform them of your child’s special needs. They will tell you the accommodations you can make to tailor your child’s schooling, essentially creating your own IEP!
You can also homeschool under the umbrella of your local school system. If you choose this option, you will be responsible for reporting curriculum, attendance, and grades directly to the school superintendent’s office.
To homeschool without an umbrella school, you must submit a letter of intent to the public school for which your child is zoned or fill out the forms online.
• Georgia – Find the form here.
• Tennessee – Find information here.
2. Choose a Curriculum. Check with your umbrella school to see if they have any specific requirements about curriculum and books. Remind them about your child’s special learning needs.
Look into different options for curriculum and remember that you can mix it up! Not all textbooks have to come from the same company. Here are a few that our families like.
• Abeka
• Apologia
• Bob Jones
• Horizons
• Math-U-See
• My Father’s World
To find out more about available curriculum, check out Christianbook.com or request a catalog from Rainbow Resources.
3. Register with HSLDA. The Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) exists to preserve your right to homeschool if you choose to do so. It is not a requirement for most states but can offer peace of mind.
Find out more information, including cost and payment options at www.hslda.org
4. Connect! Often, the best way to learn about available resources is by getting to know other homeschool families. Getting involved in a co-op or enrolling in homeschool classes is a great way to connect with other homeschoolers.
Here are some organizations we recommend:
• Chattanooga Southeast Tennessee Home Education Association (CSTHEA)
• Chattanooga Homeschool Community Events
• Hilger Higher Learning
If you would like more information about homeschooling with special needs, contact us to speak to a homeschool parent mentor.