Mom Has No Diploma -- Can She Homeschool Me?

I'm 16 years old, in tenth grade, and am badly harassed in school. My mom and I have talked about homeschooling, but she doesn't have a diploma, because she got pregnant and had to drop out. Do you need a diploma to homeschool your own child?

Many teens in your position have left school and successfully completed their education. You must read a book that has changed the lives of many teens in your shoes: The Teenage Liberation Handbook by Grace Llewellyn. Her second book is even more powerful: Real Lives: Eleven Teenagers Who Don't Go to School. I think these books will help you sort things out.

Your mom does not need a degree. Did you know that in nationwide tests, homeschoolers consistently scored well above their schooled peers? The test scores revealed that the level of a parent's formal education had nothing to do with a child's test results. The scores were consistently high whether the parent had never finished high school or had attained an advanced college degree!

First, you must check the homeschooling laws in your state. I would also find a support group (other homeschooling families) to help you get started.

Support Groups and homeschooling laws for every state
www.homefires.com

Cafi Cohen is a woman who has successfully homeschooled her teenage children. She has lots of info for you and your mom to share about homeschooling during the teen years:
www.homeschoolteenscollege.net

Here are some sites by other teenagers that might also help you:
www.homeschoolteenscollege.net/teenwebs.htm
www.GraceLlewellyn.com

Good luck!

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