Homeschooling: what to teach

In California, there are county offices of education with at least one staff member who is a credentialed teacher to act as an advisor to and monitor of parents involved in homeschooling. California, also, has a perscribed curriculum and testing for K-12. Parents must cover this curriculum. The offices of education have materials and training to help parents. It is, none-the-less, not easy to homeschool so that children will aquire the skills they will need to continue learning. An educated, creative parent who can recognize "teachable moments" and opportunities can make a math (weight and measurement) lesson during a trip to the supermarket showing, discussing and comparing cerial boxes and contents. Children will, however, still need to spend time practicing new material and constantly reviewing. Often this requires doing pages of math problems and studying spelling lists, just like kids in the classroom. Home circumstances may change requiring a child to return to the regular classroom, so the homeschooling curriculum follows the regular state and local requirements.

As an aside, here in California, we are still suffering under "Prop 13" , which limited the ability of cities and counties to raise property taxes. The right wing advocated of "Prop 13" caused a shift of funding and power to the state, taking much control of how to educate away from local communities. Ironic. I don't know if "Prop 13" is responsible for the low rank of California, 40th (or worse, I'm not sure) in per-puple spending. California is the 6th largest economy in the world, but spends like one of the poorest U.S. state. I've been a teacher for 30 years. I'll get off the soap box now.