Getting Started:

It can seem a daunting endeavor to take full responsibility for your children's education. We hope that the following information can help you crystallize your own thinking by looking at various options and resources and help give you confidence in understanding the legalities and possibilities of home education.

Monthly New Homeschooler Information Meeting

The monthly New Homeschooler Information Meeting is at The Library Center
on the second Thursday of each month from 6:30-8:30 P.M. The New Homeschooler
Information Meeting is for parents considering homeschooling or those who have
already decided to homeschool. Topics covered: how to get started, most frequently
asked questions, state law requirements, and common homeschool approaches. It is
against library policy for children to be left unattended in the library. If you need to
bring your children, please keep them with you. There is no charge and no childcare.

Location: 4563 S. Campbell Ave, Springfield, Mo

Detailed Map

Reasons to Homeschool:

National Home Education Network: Reasons to Homeschool

Brandon Staggs: Biblical Reasons to Homeschool

Little Bear's Reasons to Homeschool

Research Homeschooling:

Attend the New Homeschooler Information Meeting sponsored by SHEM

Talk to other homeschooling families about their experiences including curriculum choices, activities, successes and failures, etc.

Each state has its own regulations for homeschooling. Find out what your state's homeschooling laws and regulations are. Contact the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA - write: P.O. Box 3000, Purcellville, VA 20134 or call: (540) 338-5600).

Read the booklet First Things First available from Families for Home Education(FHE), the state homeschooling organization which lobbies for homeschoolers in Jefferson City.

Subscribe to magazines about homeschooling: Practical Homeschooling, Homeschooling Today, The Teaching Home

Attend homeschool conventions.

Check your local library for books about homeschooling, doing a subject search on "home schooling".

Start researching homeschool curriculum companies and ordering their catalogs. Find out if there are any homeschool workshops and/or curriculum fairs in your area and state. Mark your calendar for these events. Contact a state or local support group for more information.

Legalities of Homeschooling:

Homeschooling laws vary from state to state. Missouri has favorable homeschool laws. Note: The law states that you "may" submit a declaration of intent to homeschool to the recorder of deeds. This is not mandatory or recommended.

Read the Missouri State Law regarding homeschooling.

Read the legal analysis of the Missouri State Law.

First Steps

Join Families for Home Education (FHE) for only $10 per year.

Subscribe to the regional postal mail newsletter - The Home Reporter

Download the Sample Withdrawal letter if you are removing your child from public school.

Look into joining the National Homeschool Legal Association (HSLDA)

Decide on record-keeping, methods and curriculum here.

Download a helpful spreadsheet: Hours Tracking Spreadsheet