Mike Smith: Hi! I am Mike Smith, President of Home School Legal Defense Association. Today, we are discussing the basics of home-schooling including the legality.

As recently as 2008, the California court ruled that home-schooling was illegal unless the parent had a teaching certificate. Fortunately, that ruling was overturned. It's these types of facts which often prompt the question, is home-schooling really legal?

The answer is yes. All 50 states recognize the right of parents to home-school, but each state has a different law. It's important to know your state's home-school law. To find the requirements specific to your state, go to hslda.

org.

Once you know the law, the next step is to find a home-school support group. There are tremendous benefits from teaming up with other families. Simply talking and listening to other home-schoolers will help you chart the best course for your family.

Also support groups often arrange field trips. But if you have older children, you may want to consider a co-op. With co-ops teaching responsibilities are shared by several parents and each parent has the option of specializing in the field they are most comfortable.

Choosing a curriculum is also very important. There are many different options. It's easy to become overwhelm with the thousands of choices available but it's important to remember that the majority of families mix and match their different curriculum to suit their children.

As the parent, you will know if a particular curriculum is not working. This will likely happen more than once throughout your time, home-schooling. But the beauty of home-schooling is that you can change it and find something that does work.

Being prepared and understanding the commitment it takes to home-school paves the way to successfully educating your children at home.