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Virginia Homeschooling Associations Demographics Events Field Trips Legal Information Online Publications Resources Support Groups Support Group Lists Virginia Support Groups Central Virginia Hampton Roads Northern Virginia Shenandoah Valley Southwest Virginia A to Z Home's Cool Home Articles Beginning to Homeschool Chat Room Community Networking Concerns Curriculum Shopping Distance Learning Programs DVD Rentals Early Years Events Explorations 4 Kids Field Trips Gifted Kids Holiday Directory Homeschooling Jokes Laws & Legalities Lessons & Ideas Methods, Styles Regional Information Religion & Cultural Special Needs Support Group Resources Teens & College-Bound Thoughts & Hard Facts Unschooling Explorations 4 Kids Computer Literacy Drivers Ed Fine Arts General Interest Health & Fitness Language Arts Languages Math Science Experiments * Astronomy * Biology * Chemistry * Earth Science * Physics Social Studies Books About Virginia for Young Folks   Fun With the Family in Virginia : Hundreds of Ideas for Day Trips With the Kids (Fun With the Family in Virginia, 4th Ed) by Candyce H. Stapen (Paperback - May 2002)   Our Strange New Land : Elizabeth's Diary, Jamestown, Virginia, 1609 (My America) by Patricia Hermes Through a season of death and disease, confusion, and many thrilling adventures, spunky Elizabeth will hold the attention of every young reader.   The Starving Time: Elizabeth's Diary, Book Two, Jamestown, Virginia, 1609 (My America) by Patricia Hermes Facing new challenges, Lizzie records in her second diary the colony1s day-by-day struggle for survival as it faces a harsh winter and a scarcity of food. But with spring, a new ship sails up the river, bringing hope andÐbest of allÐbringing Lizzie her brother Caleb.   The Unschooling Handbook : How to Use the Whole World As Your Child's Classroom by Mary Griffith Unschooling, a homeschooling method based on the belief that kids learn best when allowed to pursue their natural curiosities and interests, is practiced by 10 to 15 percent of the estimated 1.5 million homeschoolers in the United States.   The Teenage Liberation Handbook How to Quit School and Get a Real Life and Education by Llewellyn, Grace Written primarily for teens who need to convince their parents they can teach themselves. 1998 Paperback   Best Selling Homeschooling Books

Virginia Homeschooling Associations Home Educators Association of Virginia A statewide, non-profit, member-supported association which has provided information, legislation and resources to all of Virginia's homeschooling families from a Biblical worldview. The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers (VaHomeschoolers) was formerly known as Virginia Home Education Association (VHEA). VaHomeschoolers is your fully inclusive, member directed, and volunteer driven state association. VaHomeschoolers is neutral in matters of religion and partisan politics; homeschooling is our only agenda. Demographics Home-Schooled Students and Religious Exemptions Shows by school district. School Year Date Posted Homeschooled Students Religious Exemptions 2007-08 11/20/07 20,694 6,622 2006-07 11/14/06 20,240 6,691 2005-06 7/8/06 18,693 6,354 2004-05 12/28/04 17,448 5,804 2003-04 3/3/04 18,102 5,628 2002-03 2/18/03 16,542 5,479 2001-02 2/18/03 16,268 4,853 Home Instruction--2000 Fall Membership Demographics from the Virginia Home Education Association. 2000-01 14,323 4,476 Events Northern Virginia Home Education Conference July 11 - 12, 2008. Dulles EXPO & Conference Center, Chantilly, VA. Andrew Pudewa - Excellence in Writing - Keynote Speaker. Jim Weiss - Greathall Productions - Featured Speaker. 2008 Tidewater Education Expo August 1 - 2, 2008. The Norfolk Scope Exhibition Hall D, Norfolk, VA. Many exhibitors and service-oriented organizations from all over the U. S. will be offering books, curricula, games, toys, education and instruction, support and inspiration. See also: Past Events in Virginia Field Trips Virginia Field Trips Educational places to visit in Virginia. Legal Information Virginia Education Code For Homeschooling AN A TO Z RESOURCE Not intended as legal advice. Laws for your information only. July 2008 Legal Update FAQs about 2008 Changes to Home Instruction Statute Effective July 1, 2008, amendments to the laws concerning annual reporting and testing/evaluation will become law. What do these changes mean for your family? 2008 Legislation Impacting Home Instruction This memorandum provides information regarding changes made to § 22.1-254.1 of the Code of Virginia governing home instruction during the 2008 General Assembly Session through HB 767 and HB 1183. The changes are effective July 1, 2008. From Billy K. Cannaday, Jr., Superintendent of Public Instruction Home Instruction in Virginia In Virginia, parents must ensure that a child attends school in compliance with the state compulsory attendance law as specified in § 22.1-254 of the Code of Virginia when the child has reached his 5th birthday on or before September 30 of any school year and has not passed his 18th birthday. Letter of Intent The Notice of Intent is due to your local Superintendent by August 15th. Notice of Intent to Homeschool You may print and fill out this form to provide notice that you are going to homeschool your children in Virginia. Notice of Intent to Homeschool Here's a printable copy of this form, updated for July 2008 and beyond, from HEAV. Approved Correspondence Courses Alpha Omega Academy Citizens' High School Keystone High School Laurel Springs School Penn Foster High School Additional Approved Correspondence Courses Approved courses for home instruction for the current school year for those families who choose Option (iii) of Section 22.1-254.1 of the Code of Virginia. Evaluation Homeschool Evaluation and Testing Services List of resources with links and descriptions from VaHomeschoolers. Pros & Cons: Standardized Testing vs. Portfolio Evaluations Are you a homeschooling parent thinking about what to send to your local school division by August 1? In my unscientific analysis, I have noted that those new to homeschooling are apprehensive about this issue; those new to homeschooling in Virginia are also apprehensive about this issue; and those who've become seasoned homeschoolers in Virginia aren't any too thrilled with the issue either. Online Arc-homeschool Appalachian Regional Cooperative is an inclusive group of homeschoolers in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Culture at Home An African American homeschool support group in the Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia area with an emphasis on the older homeschooled student. Families News This is a group of homeschool families who want to encourage each other and share information, events, curriculum, fieldtrip ideas and also to be in service to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Heathen Homeschoolers A support group for Northern Virginia homeschoolers who identify with the heathen label. We are pagans, atheists, agnostics, Unitarian Universalists, secularists, and humanists -- some of us defy labels altogether. Members required to have a sense of humor. HomeschoolActivities-VA-DC-MD We are a clearinghouse for activities, events and field trips for homeschool families and visitors to the Washington, D.C., metro area including Maryland and Virginia suburbs as well as points far beyond. Members are welcome to post homeschool activities, but this is not a discussion board. Homeschool Resources This group is set up to inform all homeschoolers about local and current events that are happening in your area or surrounding areas in the state of VA, Maryland and DC. Homeschool-va-chat Site for homeschoolers in Virginia who wish to share ideas and chat with each other. MD_DC_VA_Educators This groups exists to create an online forum to share resources, activities, ideas, and support among the homeschooling community to include the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan area, Virginia, Delaware and Pennsylvania. REACHomeschoolemail This information is for members of REACH that will help them in their homeschooling adventure. REACH will post a newsletter regarding events and so forth the beginning of each month. Sankofa Homeschool Community Sankofa is a community of homeschooling families of color, with members in DC, Maryland and VA, and as far north as Baltimore. We are religiously diverse and our members use a variety of homeschooling methods. VaEclecticHomeschool For in-depth discussion of issues affecting homeschooling, and for news about media articles and programs, proposed legislation, research, conferences and other information of interest to Virginia homeschoolers. [Note: this is their NEW link as of 7/05] Virginia LDS Homeschooling This group is a place to ask for ideas and advice, share information and inspiration. It is a place where members show each other respect for differences of perspective and opinion. Publications Virginia Homeschool Manual A Comprehensive Guide to Home Education in Virginia. CD included. Published by HEAV, from a Christian perspective. $59.95, with $10 discount for members. Resources American Red Cross curricula, Masters of Disaster® and Facing Fear: Helping Young People Deal with Terrorism and Tragic Events.  Free Curriculum. Funding for this grant has been provided through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on behalf of the National Capital Region, to include: Montgomery and Prince George's counties in Maryland, and Loudoun, Fairfax, Alexandria, and Arlington Counties in Virginia. Holy Family Homeschool Group of Northern Virginia A support group for families who choose to educate their children at home in Northern Virginia (a suburban area of Washington, DC). Home School Sports Network Sportsmanship the way God Intended; Sponsors State-Wide Tournaments. Ultimate Fun for the Whole Family; Sports That Won't Run Your Life; Encourages "Once-A-Week" Practices Homeschooling in Prince William County, VA Provided by Shay Seaborne, PWC Homeschooler Since 1995 Moore Expressions The largest homeschool bookstore in Virginia, Moore Expressions currently operates out of a 3,000 square foot store front located at 6070 Indian River Road Suite 110, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23464.  Pagan Homeschoolers of Virginia Here are some links and resources helpful to pagan homeschoolers in Virginia. SHARENET Provides free, twice-monthly email newsletter of ideas, activities and information for Northern Virginia homeschooling families. Contact: SHARENET@att.net Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools The commonwealth's expectations for student learning and achievement in grades K-12 in English, mathematics, science, history/social science, technology, the fine arts, foreign language, health and physical education, and driver education. The Story of Virginia - An American Experience - Virginia Historical Society From the pre-Clovis people to modern times. Young People's Theatre A theatre company for homeschooled children in Northern Virginia. Two to three productions annually. Continue on to find Support Groups serving Virginia

Drivers Education for Credit Keystone National High School. Teens can now learn how to become safe responsible drivers... while earning Certification and Insurance discounts.   The DriversEd.com course is the only course approved for use by home-school students. That is, if you are homeschooled, you may learn the classroom and/or behind-the-wheel portions of your drivers education at home. Once you have completed our course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion that you may then take to the DMV when you apply for a drivers license. Only students who are homeschooled may receive an official Certificate of Completion when finished with the course.   Recommended books to help you explore homeschooling   Home Learning Year by Year How to Design a Homeschool Curriculum from Preschool Through High School by Rebecca Rupp A structured plan to ensure that your children will learn what they need to know when they need to know it, from preschool through high school.   The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas: 500+ Fun and Creative Learning Activities for Kids Ages 3-12 by Linda Dobson As a homeschooling parent, you're always looking for new and creative ways to teach your child the basics. Look no longer! Inside this innovative helper, you'll find kid-tested and parent-approved techniques for learning math, science, writing, history, manners, and more that you can easily adapt to your family's homeschooling needs.   Homeschooling : The Teen Years Your Complete Guide to Successfully Homeschooling the 13- To 18-Year Old by Cafi Cohen This book reveals the adventure and rewards as well as the special challenges of working with this age group.   Homeschool Your Child for Free More Than 1,200 Smart, Effective, and Practical Resources for Home Education on the Internet and Beyond by LauraMaery Gold and Joan M. Zielinski The best sites for everything from reading-readiness activities for preschoolers to science projects for teens.   First Year of Homeschooling Your Child Your Complete Guide to Getting Off to the Right Start by Linda Dobson With the constant concern about the safety and quality of our nation's schools, many of today's families are opting to teach their children at home. The first hurdle these families face is getting started.   The Complete Home Learning Source Book : The Essential Resource Guide for Homeschoolers, Parents, and Educators Covering Every Subject from Arithmetic to Zoology by Rebecca Rupp This ambitious reference guide lives up to its name. Practically three inches thick--and we're not talking large print here--it's packed with titles, ordering information, and Web site addresses. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Homeschooling by Marsha Ransom A step-by-step manual written for the new and inexperienced homeschooler. The explanations, resources, and recommendations apply to families homeschooling for a wide variety of reasons and to families who "afterschool" their children.   Homeschooling: The Early Years: Your Complete Guide to Successfully Homeschooling the 3- to 8- Year-Old Child by Linda Dobson The formative years are the most critical to a child's education. They lay the foundation for developing learning skills that last a lifetime.