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Library - Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to the FAQ section of our Library. Get answers to frequently asked questions about Mi CASA Homeschoolers (MCH) and where we stand on various homeschooling issues.
Who We Are: 1. What is Mi CASA Homeschoolers? 2. Is MCH a non-profit organization? 3. Why is MCH an exclusively Christian organization? Membership & Benefits: 4. What are the benefits of joining MCH? 5. Where does the membership money go? 6. What are the requirements for membership in MCH? AZVA & Government Sponsored Programs: 7. What is MCH's position on Government sponsored programs? 8. What is Arizona Virtual Academy (AZVA)? What We Don't Do: 9. Does MCH provide curriculum? 10. Does MCH educate your children? Other: 11. Can I homeschool someone else's child? 12. What is Arizona's homeschool law? 13. Where can I receive legal assistance to protect my home education rights? 14. What about socialization? 15. What other homeschool support groups are available for families in the Casa Grande Valley? 1. What is Mi CASA Homeschoolers? For information about who we are, please visit our About Us page. [back to top] 2. Is MCH a non-profit organization? MCH is currently not a non-profit organization. [back to top] 3. Why is MCH an exclusively Christian organization? It is important to remember that Mi CASA Homeschoolers’ primary purpose is to be a “support group” to Christian homeschooling families. The focus of our group is not an outreach ministry, but rather to support and encourage Christian families in their homeschooling journey. There will definitely be opportunities for outreach during the year, but it will not be our group’s main focus. [back to top] 4. What are the benefits of joining MCH? MCH provides a variety of benefits to its members such as: monthly newsletters, email discussion group (e-loop), full access to our website, lending & curriculum libraries, fine arts events, field trips, classes, park days, Mom's Night Out, and more. For a more detailed description of our benefits, please click here. [back to top] 5. Where does the membership money go? Membership dues help to cover the following operational expenses: group liability insurance, postage, printing & supplies, and special MCH sponsored events. Board members receive no compensation (other than reasonable expenses) for their service on the Board. [back to top] 6. What are the requirements for membership into MCH? To be considered for membership into MCH, families must meet and agree to the following:
[back to top] 7. What is MCH's position on Government sponsored programs? The purpose of MCH has been to support families who desire to privately homeschool their children. Homeschooling through charter schools or public school independent study programs is actually a form of public education, and thus falls outside of MCH's purpose. As such, it is our policy not to accept as MCH members families whose children are enrolled in such a public school option. MCH respects the right of each parent to decide how to best educate each individual child in their family. However, we advise those considering charter schools or public school independent study programs to count the cost, making sure they are fully informed. To learn more about the issues surrounding government sponsored programs, we recommend the following resources: 8. What is Arizona Virtual Academy (AZVA)? The Arizona Virtual Academy (AZVA) is a public school that operates out of the private homes of its students via the communication medium of the internet. Also called a “cyber-school” or "virtual-school", the basic format is that upon enrollment of your student you receive a computer, paid basic-level internet access, an assigned teacher, and supplemental educational materials for you to borrow or consume. They use the K-12 curriculum by William Bennett. Since the nature of AZVA is a form of public (government funded) education, it does not legally qualify such families as homeschoolers. Furthermore, participation in AZVA comes with a high level of accountability to Public School Officials. This may be desirable by some parents, but families who need flexibility will be frustrated by the constraint of having to constantly think about logging in their hours. For a more detailed explanation of AZVA, please click on the following article written by Carol Shippy, AFHE's Legal Liason: [back to top] 9. Does MCH provide curriculum? No, we do not sell or directly provide curriculum to our members or to the public. However, our lending and curriculum libraries contain curriculum that our members can checkout and borrow. In addition, one of the benefits to being part of a support group is being networked with other homeschooling families who are willing to offer suggestions and assistance on a variety of topics, including curriculum resources. [back to top] 10. Does MCH educate your children? MCH offers several classes throughout the year that are taught by volunteering member parents. However, it is not the goal or legal responsibility of MCH to fully educate your children. Doing so would reclassify our status to something other than Homeschoolers. [back to top] 11. Can I homeschool someone else's child? It depends on your state's homeschool law. According to Arizona Homeschool law (A.R.S. code 15-802), a parent, legal guardian or other person who has custody of the child is responsible to provide home instruction. Click on the links below to view the AZ statutes:
[back to top] 12. What is Arizona's homeschool law? For an understanding of AZ's homeschool law, please click on the links below:
[back to top] 13. Where can I receive legal assistance to protect my home education rights? Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) is a nonprofit advocacy organization established to defend and advance the constitutional right of parents to direct the education of their children and to protect family freedoms. HSLDA's primary mission is to protect the freedom and rights of all homeschoolers. This is accomplished by advocating in a variety of arenas, primarily on the legal front by fully representing member families at every stage of proceedings. Each year, thousands of member families receive legal consultation by letter and phone, hundreds more are represented through negotiations with local officials, and dozens are represented in court proceedings. HSLDA also takes the offensive, filing actions to protect members against government intrusion and to establish legal precedent. On occasion, HSLDA will handle precedent-setting cases for nonmembers, as well. [back to top] 14. What about socialization? (Taken from AFHE's FAQ page responding to this exact question) This is the number one question homeschoolers are often asked. If you look in the dictionary, the definition of "socialize" is To make fit for companionship with others; make sociable. Many homeschoolers have discovered healthy socialization takes place when children are exposed to people of all ages in various settings, not limited to the confines of a classroom and a group of students all about the same age. Children can learn to socialize in every day activities such as a trip to the grocery store or library, play dates with friends, visits with grandparents, support group activities, park days, etc. Most importantly, children often receive their most valuable socialization in the nurturing environment of home and family. Arizona has a very vibrant, active homeschool community. One of the biggest challenges many homeschoolers encounter is dealing with the overabundance of activities available to us. One job we have as homeschooling parents is to look for activities that enhance our homeschool journey without leading to the frenzied distraction of too many outside activities. Learning to say "no" to the "good" and the "better" things, we leave room in our schedules for the "best". For more articles on the issues of socialization, please click below: [back to top] 15. What other homeschool support groups are available for families in the Casa Grande Valley? HAPPY HOMESCHOOLERS - An open-to-all homeschool group Location: Casa Grande, AZ Contact: Kelli Ferea, tarafern@yahoo.com [back to top] |
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