February 2017 News Magazine

By Joe Sylvester
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When they moved to Pennsylvania, her daughter’s teacher was covering material her daughter already had learned
in Kansas.
“I liked the teacher, but the school wasn’t serving her needs,” Weaver said. “I didn’t like the atmosphere in the
school.”
Her daughter, now 18, was in a class of 12 students in Kansas. Her class in the first Pennsylvania school had 25
kids. Now her two younger children — a son, 11, and daughter, 7 — know only homeschooling.
The homeschooling group meets about once a week, and some of the parents teach classes during the gathering.
Weaver, who holds a degree in animal bioscience, teaches chemistry, while Dillman teaches crafts at the weekly
meetings. For lessons at home, parents follow a curriculum. But they don’t have to be trained teachers.
“One day a week, we meet at a church,” Weaver said. “Different people teach different classes.”
She said some parents in homeschooling have advanced degrees, some barely finished high school. But they can
always find others to help.
The students range in age from preschool to high school.
At home during the week, parents cover the same subjects their kids would have in school, but on the family’s
schedule and as long as the students have the required 180 days of school.
“I homeschool year-round,” Weaver said. “We can take off when we want.”
Homeschooling parents must present an affidavit to their home school district and a plan for the school year. At the
end of the school year, they must present a portfolio from the past year for evaluation.
Homeschooling also includes outside activities, contrary to what many believe, Dillman said. She said one of the
misconceptions of homeschooling is that there is no socialization with other kids. But homeschooled kids take part
in sports in their local school districts and other clubs and activities, some through the homeschool group, both
women said.
“They’re allowed to play sports in school,” said Weaver, who lives in the Midd-West School District. “My
daughter played softball.”
Getting started in homeschooling is the toughest part, Weaver said.
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“I understand why people are scared and nervous about taking the jump,”
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