We had problems in Mass. Babs

babs:

When we first homeschooled in 1981, the police showed up and threatened us with jail.  I have had other friends that had school authorities showup at the door. 

Yikes, those are my two biggest fears.  Thankfully now there is HSLDA, we are members.  It definitely helps to calm some of my fears in knowing that if I do have someone questioning me, that they will be there to help.

 not a lot of people homeschooled in 1981. I am  sure that was part of the problems. My oldest DD graduated in 2007. Never had a problem homeschooling her. Babs

babs:

 not a lot of people homeschooled in 1981. I am  sure that was part of the problems. My oldest DD graduated in 2007. Never had a problem homeschooling her. Babs

That's true. We didn't start until 1994, so it was a lot more common then and more accepted by everyone, including the school system.

Strike that, it was 1990. I still can't do math.

Pat:

We homeschooled in Colorado and never had a problem.

I never had a problem in Mississippi. There were far fewer educationally competitive people around me though.

Pat:

Strike that, it was 1990

I think we started in 95. My math and memory could be off too though, lol.

Some of my homeschooling relatives and friends were given a little grief but we never were. The homeschool officer at the school board and I got along well and agreed on some educational points. I was using a packaged curriculum and kept my attendance and completed work records. I think I felt well covered in case we were ever questioned.

Brandy:

I was using a packaged curriculum and kept my attendance and completed work records. I think I felt well covered in case we were ever questioned

I was very careful to keep records, too, at least for the first few years. After I realized they were never going to be checked, I wasn't quite so precise, but I did keep good records. It helps later on.

I have to keep yearly attendance records, grades, curriculum list and lesson plans for the PSP we have our son enrolled in.  It is helpful for me, helps to keep me on track and gives me a bigger picture of what we hope to accomplish with our son during the school year.  However I'm definitely a "unschooler" at heart, so I don't follow everything to the letter.

Pat:

After I realized they were never going to be checked

All I was ever asked for abck then were a description of my curriculum, the number of days we had lessons and samples of work. I sent in copies of some of the tests that came with the curriculum and samples of their handwriting work.

Mississippi only needed me to file as a homeschooler.

The area I am in now is so much more educationally competitive than I have ever experienced. It does make me a little nervous and is at the root of my questioning myself and the education I give my children. I know I am following the laws and I am doing what is right but I still feel nervous about dealing with scrutiny.