NSW Homeschool Review: Do I need to provide 'proof of learning'?
by April Jermey
responding to a question asked in The Educating Parents Homeschooling and Unschooling
What you need to provide the department is evidence that you understand the curriculum, how you will present learning opportunities to your child, and how you will record and track learning progress.
Ultimately they can't demand to see your child 'passing' and 'progressing', because otherwise the education department would have to expect the same of every teacher for every student in mainstream education. Accountability they simply can't produce. "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink." the same can be said for a teacher with their students. All the department can demand is that you do your best to present your child with learning opportunities, they can't demand that your child produces 'results' that line up with anything.
The advantage that home educators have over a teacher presiding over 25+ students is that we have time on our side, we have less students, and more time with them. We can see our children learning every single day, with every thing they do.
You need to have an understanding of the key learning areas in the curriculum so that you don't fail to present learning opportunities in all key learning areas. Although frankly this isn't likely, there is so much cross over with life learning. Eg baking can cover science, maths, health, and home economics.
You're not home educating for the department, you're home educating for your family, be accountable to your child first and foremost. Keep records not just because they'll gain you the exemption you need, but because your child needs to see it too. My kids love looking through our home ed records (essentially a photo album with notes), they love reminiscing about the things they've done with photos to prompt their memories. As they get older and have a better understanding of the learning they are doing, they can see how I have documented that learning.
The AP (approved person, NESA officer in NSW) at our first registration visit last month said I was doing far more than necessary, and I told her I don't do it for her, I do it for the kids, I'm accountable to them. She was a bit taken aback by that, but she understood.
You can still provide 'proof of learning' while unschooling. Most departments will not look kindly upon the term unschooling, so it's best to say that you're following an interest led approach. Essentially you just keep good records of everything you d o, and apply it to the curriculum. It's pretty easy to cover everything with life learning, you just have to think about it from an educator's perspective, and change the language you use to make it fit. I've just done my fourth natural learning plan, and have had no issues each time (first three in SA, fourth in NSW).
Was this article helpful? Was it worth $1.00 to you?
Your gift of $1 or more helps to keep this site operating
offering encouragement
and reassurance to families
wanting
better outcomes for their children.
Beverley Paine with her children, and their home educated children, relaxing at home.
Together with the support of my family, my aim is to help parents educate their children in stress-free, nurturing environments. In addition to building and maintaing this website, I continue to create and manage local and national home educating networks, help to organise conferences and camps, as well as write for, edit and produce newsletters, resource directories and magazines. I am an active supporter of national, state, regional and local home education groups.
"You've been an inspiration to me, I love the way
you really listen to people." Vanessa
"Whenever I read your writing I always come away
with increased confidence in my ability to provide and
share a wonderful learning journey with my family!" Davina
"Your guidance, understanding, support and words of
wisdom changed our lives. We now offer support and
organise many homeschooling events for others." Lesley
"Thank you once again for your prompt and friendly service.
I am convinced that your books are going to add
quality and peace of mind to my journey of teaching my kids
at home! Just from studying your website, until almost
2am
in the morning, I 've been encouraged!" Louisa
"Thank you for all your many,many reassuring words
over many, many years. You probably don't know exactly how
valuable you are to the Australian Home Education community.
I've been reading your stuff for maybe 8 years or more now.
And I'm very grateful." Gythaa
CLICK HERE
if you want to learn
how to write your own education plans
to suit
your unique children's
individual learning needs?
Or you are looking for quality curriculum and teaching tips...
|
|
Welcome to the World of Home Education
and Learning without School!
We began educating our children in 1985, when our eldest was five. In truth, we had helped them learn what they need to learn since they were born. I am a passionate advocate of allowing children to learn unhindered by unnecessary stress and competition, meeting developmental needs in ways that suit their individual learning styles and preferences. Ours was a homeschooling, unschooling and natural learning family! There are hundreds of articles on this site to help you build confidence as a home educating family. We hope that your home educating adventure is as satisfying as ours was! Beverley Paine
3 ESSENTIAL STEP BY STEP GUIDES
Let experienced home educators Beverley, Tamara and April walk you through HOW to create a learning plan that builds on solid foundations that works for YOUR family AND ticks all the boxes for home educaton registration!
|
Tap into Beverley's
experience
through her books
"Your books, your blogs helped me beyond words... they helped me to find comfort in knowing it is ok to choose exactly what is best for my family." Nisha
"Your books and information are mind blowing and already I am feeling good about this new experience." Diane
"Your guidance, understanding, support & words of wisdom changed our lives." Leslie
"I feel specially inspired by Beverley's words and, the more I read her comments, the more inspired I feel, since my need for support, respect for different parenting styles, and information are fully met." Marijo
|
|
|
The information on this website is of a general nature only and is not intended as personal or professional advice. This site merges and incorporates 'Homeschool Australia' and 'Unschool Australia'.
The Educating Parent acknowledges the Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owners, the Custodians of Australia, and pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people viewing this website.
Advertise on this site.
Australia's premier online annual conferences, lifetime access to video and audio recordings, freebies, notes and associated resource guides.
EVERY SUMMIT IS UNIQUE!
$29 each 2023 2022 2021
$25 each 2020 2019 2017
"Biggest and best Aussie homeschool event of the year!"
Home education is a legal alternative
to school education in Australia.
State and Territory governments are responsible
for regulating home education and have different
requirements, however home educating families
are able to develop curriculum and learning programs
to suit the individual needs of their children.
Without revenue from advertising
by educational suppliers and Google Ads
we could not continue to provide information
to home educators. Please support us by letting
our advertisers know that you found them on
The Educating Parent. Thanks!
|