HomeWise
Discover practical homeschooling advice and answers to your burning questions. From requirements to curriculum management, the following articles offer insights and guidance to make your homeschooling journey smoother and more rewarding.
What Your Child’s ‘A’ Really Means (And Why It Matters More Than Ever)
What Your Child's 'A' Really Means (And Why It Matters More Than Ever) A straight-A report card used to mean something. It meant a child worked hard. It meant the material was learned and retained. It was worth celebrating with ice cream and a little pride at the...
What Does a Pennsylvania Homeschool Evaluator Actually Do?
As a homeschool evaluator, I’ve discovered that many people, including some school employees, assume that a homeschool evaluation works like a report card conference, a teacher observation, or a standardized testing review. It doesn’t. Pennsylvania homeschooling has...
The Gift Inside the Mistake
For the parents of every kid who has ever cried over a wrong answer, a missed goal, or a drawing that “didn’t turn out right.” There’s a moment most parents know well. Your child stares at a math problem they got wrong, or replays the goal they didn’t score, or...
What Are We Really Educating For?
Not long ago, I listened to a mother talk about her student in a public school setting. Her words have stayed with me. Her daughter takes her schoolwork seriously. She studies. She wants to understand what she is learning, not just complete assignments. During a math...
Should Parents Use AI in Homeschooling?
Balancing Tools with Real-Life Growth Parents who homeschool often ask: “Should I even use AI when teaching my children?” It’s a fair question. On one hand, AI can save time, suggest lesson plans, and explain difficult topics in ways that click. On the other hand,...
Teachers Push Back on Equitable Grading Policies Despite Widespread Adoption
The Schenectady, New York school district has struggled with poor student performance for years. In 2022-2023, 95% of high school freshmen were three or more grade levels behind in math. More than half of middle schoolers lagged similarly in both reading and math,...
The Decline of Reading Aloud: A Call to Homeschool Parents
Recent studies have revealed a concerning trend: fewer parents, especially from Generation Z, are reading aloud to their children. A HarperCollins UK study (harpercollins.co.uk) found that in 2024, only 41% of children aged 0–4 were read to frequently, a significant...
ChatGPT and Homeschooling: A Balancing Act
ChatGPT, the new AI chatbot (Artificial Intelligence), is generating a lot of buzz lately. As a homeschooling parent, you may be intrigued by this new technology and wondering if it could benefit your child's education. There's a lot to consider when determining if...
ALWAYS get a receipt
ALWAYS get a receipt for your hand-delivered evaluation letter and affidavit/objectives. Another option is to go to your local post office and send them by certified mail (from $4 to $9) to provide proof that you mailed them. If you want proof that the district...