Erwee - Homeschooling High School

This book is dedicated with love to my husband Riaan, who encouraged me to pursue this project, and to my children, who are the reason that I homeschool.

Published in 2014 by Struik Lifestyle
(an imprint of Random House Struik (Pty) Ltd)
Company Reg. No 1966/003153/07
Estuaries No 4, Oxbow Crescent, Century Avenue, Century City 7441
PO Box 1144 Cape Town 8000 South Africa

www.randomstruik.co.za

Copyright in published edition: Random House Struik (Pty) Ltd 2014
Copyright in text: Shirley Erwee 2014

Note: Selected photos used in manuscript from Microsoft Office Online: http://office.microsoft.com; other images: public domain

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, digital, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publishers and the copyright owner(s).

Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to provide accurate information in this book at the time of publication, neither the author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility for errors or changes that may occur after publication.

Make sure that you always check with the information sources or institutions so that you have correct up-to-date information before making decisions that could have lasting consequences.

This publication is intended to provide competent and reliable information on the subject matter covered here. However, this book is sold with the understanding that the author and publisher are not engaged in rendering legal, professional or educational services. If legal, educational or other expert assistance or advice regarding the implications of using this material is required, the services of practising professionals should be sought.

The information, ideas and suggestions contained herein have been developed from research, sources and publications that are believed to be reliable but cannot be guaranteed insofar as they apply to any particular situation. The authors and publishers specifically disclaim any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred directly or indirectly from the use or application of any of the suggestions or contents of this book.

Acknowledgements: Much of the information contained within these pages has been taken directly from relevant Internet websites. Numbered references and footnotes have been used to indicate when a topic is quoted directly from the source.

A large portion of the content has also been sourced from South African online homeschooling community networks. I thank the consultants and parents of the homeschooling community for sharing their wisdom, comments, testimonies and experience for the benefit of others.

Publisher: Linda de Villiers
Managing editor: Cecilia Barfield
Editor: Marille Renssen
Proofreader and indexer: Joy Clack
Design manager: Beverley Dodd
Designer (Cover): Monique Cleghorn
Designer: Randall Watson

Reproduction by: Hirt & Carter Cape (Pty) Ltd
Printed and bound by: Interpak Books, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

ISBN: 978-1-43230-366-2

By definition, homeschooling refers to education that happens largely, but not exclusively, in the childs own home.

Home education was first legalised in South Africa in the late 1990s and increasing numbers of the first generation of homeschoolers, who have been completely homeschooled from the start, are now approaching the finish line.

Many of these families are desperately asking questions about homeschooling at high school level. They are searching to find answers about the matric options for homeschoolers, the legalities of university acceptance and myriad other related topics. Parents of both school-going and home-educated children worry that their educational choice might fail them and that their children will not be able to earn a decent living or, in desperation, will end up employed in dead-end menial jobs for the rest of their lives.

After many hours of browsing the Internet and wading through educationalese to find the answers myself, this book is an effort to compile as much needed and useful information, presented in one place, to help others who are searching for the same thing. Depending on your needs, knowledge and circumstances, some chapters may be more relevant to you than others.

This book is intended for both adults and students who fall into the following broad categories:

1. Prospective homeschool parents: You are considering the possibility of removing your children from the school system to homeschool them. Youre therefore investigating the way forward and need some answers before you feel confident to take the plunge and do it. You are not sure how homeschooling will work for your family but it seems like a good option to consider.
2. New homeschoolers: You have been homeschooling for a short while, perhaps a year or two, and you need to plan the way forward. You have some experience and have tasted the realities of homeschooling, and you are now wondering how to cope with homeschooling till the end of high school.
3. Experienced homeschoolers: Youve been homeschooling for years and are quite confident and experienced. You have overcome the challenges and found your groove but you need the right information to plot the route forward for high school and beyond.
4. Students or prospective students: You are either in school and investigating alternative ways to finish high school or perhaps you are an older person who would like to complete your high school education and get a qualification for future job or career purposes.

No matter into which category you may fall, you will need to choose your options very carefully.

Home education is not just about academics it becomes a way of life and it takes commitment. There are sacrifices and adjustments that are necessary and that will affect every area of a familys life: income, social life, leisure time, housekeeping, community and church involvement, and more. It takes perseverance and patience and is an ongoing learning process for both the parents and the children. Each age and stage is a new learning curve. Even as an adult completing your education, this will be a new experience with challenges of its own.

The majority of home educators in South Africa are Christians who believe that homeschooling is a ministry of discipleship to raise children to find their God-given calling in life and equip them to live it out. Those of other faiths agree that one of their goals is to help their child find his or her unique niche in life. The intention of this book is to help all home-educating families, regardless of their religious persuasion.

Although there are many families who only start homeschooling during the high school years, this book includes information on starting homeschooling, and covers frequently asked questions as well as recommended resources. The more you learn about homeschooling and the more answers you find to your questions, the more confidently you will be able to make the necessary decisions for your family.

Parents of both school-going and home-educated children worry that their educational choice might fail them and that their children will not be able to earn a decent living or that, in desperation, they will end up employed in dead-end menial jobs for the rest of their lives.