The Toccoa Record: Education

The Toccoa Record

The Stephens County School System has 129 families registered for conducting home study programs in 2006.

Religious beliefs and concerns over the quality of public education are just a few of the many factors parents cite as impacting their decision to home-school their children. Home-schooling allows them to choose their curriculum and amend it to fit their child’s learning style.

Georgia state law does little to mandate how parents conduct home study programs. Other than required monthly attendance reports, parents don’t have to demonstrate their child is meeting state standards for education.

Barbara Stevens, social worker and home school liaison for the school system, said the children must take a state-graded test every three years, but there are no ramifications if the child doesn’t pass.

“When a parent withdraws their child from the public system, they take on full responsibility for their education,” said Stevens. “We don’t get a copy of the test results, and the only thing we can do is monitor attendance.”

Stevens said she tries to convey to parents the significance of the responsibility they are undertaking when they decide to home school.

“They are assuming full responsibility for their child’s education and future,” said Stevens. “It takes a high level of commitment from the parents.”

Stevens said parents are required to show attendance for 4.5 hours a day, 180 days per week and are expected to teach reading, language arts, math, social studies and science.

“If a parent is weak in one area, I would recommend they find a tutor,” said Stevens.

She also refers them to the Currahee Home Educators, a local Christian home- school network.

“If parents want to do it right, the Currahee Educators are a valuable resource to do a good job,” she said.

Stevens said having stricter state guidelines to ensure children are receiving a proper education would be valuable but difficult to enforce.

“Ultimately, it comes down to the parent’s commitment level and their ability to manage and motivate their child.”