One of the most daunting tasks for any parent considering home school is filing a IHIP (Individualized Home Instruction Plan) report. It has actually deterred some people from home schooling their children, believing it was akin to doing their taxes. You're probably one of those people if you are reading this. What you do need to know is that you need to follow the procedure required by your school district and the state. However, these reports are not to be feared. Anyone can write these reports as well as their quarterly reports, and it isn't as difficult as you may think! Keep reading and I'll show you how to file these reports, as well as how to tackle those all-important quarterly reports.

The IHIP report is the paperwork that you submit to your local school district. There is usually a deadline, which is always before the beginning of the new school year. Call your local school district as soon as you know you will be home schooling so you don't miss this important deadline.

The IHIP report may be filled out on a form provided to you from the school district, or they may instruct you to write your own. The information that belongs on this report is as follows:

• A list of the classes that you will be teaching.
• Underneath each class, you will need to list the books you will be using (this should include the title, edition, author and year the book was published. You may even include the ISBN number).
• A plan of instruction (will you be following each chapter, skipping around or skipping some of the chapters all together?) It doesn't need to be heavily detailed, as you will do this in your quarterly reports.

• For each class you will also need to list any curriculum materials that you will use in teaching your class (microscope, slides, workbooks, flash cards, etc).
• A syllibi for each course may be attached as well, but is usually not required.

The report will need to be signed and dated and submitted on or before the deadline. Always keep a copy for yourself. Personally, I prefer to return the paperwork in person, so I am sure that the school secretary has received my paperwork.

The quarterly report is one other very important report that you will need to do. It isn't important just because you'll be turning it in for scrutiny, but because it can affect your child's chances of attending another school in the future, as well as college.

Quarterly reports give the person reading it a view of teaching methods, what is learned and any grades that have been assigned. The information is presented in a paragraph form with bulleted points, if necessary. The reports usually follow a format, determined by your local school district. The school district may mail you these forms, or you will have to request them. Since some of these forms may not give you enough room to report everything you have done, additional sheets may be stapled to these forms.

A sample of what you could say on a quarterly report for a particular class (in this case, grade 2 computer technology) is as follows:

Computer Technology

Kelly has continued to work on the Internet and has learned how to create and save user names and passwords. She frequent the Webkinz, U.B. Funkey and eBay websites. She is also learning how to perform searches using keywords on Google and eBay. As her vocabulary increases, she'll be able to expand the keyword searches to include two and three word phrases.

We have continued to review the proper care of computers including gently handling the keyboard and mouse as well as the correct way to use the printer. She has learned how to turn on and shut off the computer.

Total Hours per Week: 5

Grade: A

(parent's signature)

Be sure to include any personal observations such as what the child is doing well and areas that may need more work. Also list any related enrichment activities, such as field trips, dance classes and art experiences in your report.