HOMESCHOOLING BASIC INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE

Legal Requirements:

It is compulsory for every child from 6 years - 16 years to be enrolled at a registered school. However, parents or guardians have the right to apply for a Certificate of Exemption from Enrolment at a Registered School.

Parents who gain a Certificate of Exemption are also exempt from having to follow the NZ Curriculum Framework Requirements. Parents, however, must satisfy the Ministry of Education that their child will be taught "at least as regularly and as well as" at a registered school.

Homeschooling Supervisory Allowance:

Parents who gain a Certificate of Exemption receive the following Supervisor Allowance:

$743 for the first child,

$632 for second child

$541 for the third child

$372 for subsequent children

This annual amount is given in two installments; one in January and one in July.

Numbers and Reasons:

Over the last three years the number of homeschoolers in NZ has been over 5,000. A large number of these have Christian convictions and although the reasons for the decision to homeschool are varied a large number relate to dissatisfaction with state schools with particular concerns about lowering of academic, moral, discipline standards.

Curriculum Choices:

There is a wide range of curriculum choices. These vary from parents creating their own curriculum through to following a total package, programmed learning style of curriculum. Some curricula require a greater degree of time and expertise from parents than do others that are self-instructional where parents function more in a supervisory capacity.

Some curricula are Christian based; some are secular.

Academic vs Christian Character Considerations:

Most Christian parents are concerned about the Christian character development of their children as well as academic progress. For this reason a large number of homeschoolers in NZ use a Christian based curriculum. Although this is good and is important, there is a subtle danger of thinking the curriculum will "do it all." The fact is, that the role model of the parents, regardless of how Christian and excellent the curriculum, will have the biggest influence on the life and character of a child. This is not to say that curriculum choice is not important, but it does emphasize the point that any curriculum is only as good as the one administering it.

Difficulties and Dangers:

One of the dangers when you start homeschooling is to resist a structured programme because you want freedom to explore creative ideas and interesting activities you want to do with your child. This, however, can be difficult to keep up month after month unless you are a particularly creative parent.

Parents who do not feel confident academically to "teach" their child will often choose a packaged/programmed curriculum. This is a wise choice as it is not good to get into "difficulties" when it involves the education of your own child.

Although the self-instructional, programmed structure of a curriculum like A.C.E. will to a large extent overcome the danger of getting out of your depth there is the opposite danger of relying on the curriculum to fulfil all the child's educational needs with little parental input. A structured programme is fine as long as you don't rely on it alone. It must be seen as a tool for you to control and not a dictator.

Another danger for homeschoolers is having no structure to their daily routine. Regardless of what style of curriculum is chosen, homeschooling can become very slack if there is no form of time table being followed, or if there are goals not being set and completed. Defined requirements and not feelings or moods must determine the homeschooling activity.

Support Groups:

There are homeschooling support groups operating in most areas. Involvement with these can be valuable to supply group activities, sport, art, music, field trips, etc.. They can also be very helpful for parents to gain moral support, fellowship and for picking up tips and ideas.

Within support groups it is not uncommon for the families to each have a different curriculum. This can bring diversity of thinking which may or may not be helpful. There is the potential danger, particularly if there is a strong personality who promotes his/her curriculum, of you having to either defend your curriculum or you having the confidence in your curriculum undermined. The fact is that different curricula meet different needs. You cannot "try" everything but must settle for the programme that suits your capabilities and your child's needs.

If you join a support groups steer clear of negative talk; either from others or yourself.

Common Fears:

These could all be summed up in the following statements:

• "I'm not qualified."
  Ans. Neither are 90% of other homeschooling parents. It depends on what you mean by qualified. No one is more qualified to educate your child than, you their parents.
• "What about social needs?"
  Ans. Most socializing at state schools is negative anyway. Even in a large school children only socialize with a small group. Surveys do not confirm that homeschooled children suffer socially; the contrary has been revealed.
• "What about team sports?"
  Ans. This can be a difficulty, but can sometimes be overcome by after school activities or support groups.
• "What will my friends/parents think?"
  Ans. Who has the responsibility for the education of your child; you or them? This may be a difficulty for a start but they are likely to join/support you when they see the good results it brings.
• "Can my child gain qualifications?"
  Ans. Yes, particularly if you use A.C.E. with its recognized qualifications.

Basic Facts about A.C.E.

• Established in 1970 and is now used in 110 countries worldwide.
• A.C.E. has been used in NZ for over 20 years. Today there are 30 schools and over 1,000 homeschoolers using the curriculum.
• Its main features are that it allows students to work at their own achievement level at the speed they can manage. It is a total package, self instructional curriculum covering a wide range of subjects from pre- school through to Year 13. Biblical principles and truths are integrated throughout the entire curriculum.
• Curriculum materials are supplied to NZ from a warehouse based in Brisbane run by an Australian company called Southern Cross Educational Enterprises. All schools and homeschoolers in NZ must purchase all material from them.
• Robert Steedman is employed by this company to represent A.C.E. in NZ.
• A.C.E. offers several levels of secondary qualifications, some of which NZ universities accept as sufficient for university entrance.

Further information available upon request. Our contact details are on the contact page.