As the new year sits just around the corner, many parents are adding to their list of resolutions the job of homeschooling for the first time. Just like any job, homeschooling requires commitment and the ability to follow through. If you live in a state that requires accountability to your school district or school board, please be diligent in adhering to the requirements. Many states require a letter of intent, notifying your district or school board of your home education endeavor. This is not to be taken lightly. Students not accounted for are considered truant, and the responsibility lies with the parents.

There was a story in the news last week about a Utah homeschool family ordered by a judge to enroll their children in public school or face jail time, all because of a lack of communication between the parents and the school district. (Read the entire story here: http://www.onenewsnow.com/2007/12/judge_threatens_homeschool_mom.php )

It pays to follow up on any communication sent to a government office to make sure it was received. One simple way to do this is to send documents via Certified Mail with Return Receipt. This provides a paper trail in case there is any question later about whether the document was received, or even WHEN it was received. If the parents in that Utah family would have done that, no judge would have ever had the case cross his desk.

No matter how many accolades and kudos homeschoolers receive each year, there are still many nay-sayers and downright enemies of home education. Those people watch and wait for any opportunity to prove parents unfit to teach their own children. That puts tremendous pressure on the homeschool community to be upstanding, accountable citizens exhibiting responsible behavior in all walks of life. And when it comes right down to it, isn't that the kind of example we want to set for our children anyway?