Oklahomans and others that have to track days....

[snickelfritz]

How do you do this? It sounds easy, but I'm getting hung up over exceptions. We'll be starting K. Some examples:

Mondays: I think I'm going to make this a cleaning/errand/park day. They have dance.

Wednesdays: Bible Study Fellowship in the morning and then gymnastics right before night church. I'm planning on free time with maybe some read alouds for the rest of the day.

Weekends--we often go to my parents 400 acre farm where they get lots of nature study and art opportunities (my mom is a hobby artist) This stuff isn't planned and doesn't fit in specified time slots. It just happens.

That leaves math/phonics/handwriting/etc... on Tues, Thurs, Fri. I'm fine with that. But then, we're also known to take pretty days off to go to the park.

What do I count as days? Does this even really matter? The private school I taught at only does 2 days a week or 3 days a week for Kindy. It can't possibly add up to 180.

[Mrs. H.]

We have to do school 180 days per year, but the state doesn't require any documentation to prove that we've done it.

We school 4 days per week, 45 weeks per year, taking one day per week for errands or catching up.

[Ellie]

I wouldn't worry about it for a nanosecond.

Aren't your children learning something *at least* 180 days out of the year? So what's the problem, girl???

[elegantlion]

Agree with Ellie. Count dance and bible as school days. That is learning. :iagree:

[RebeccaC]

When we started hsing I did not have to keep track until age 7. In IL at that time and I assume it is the same now, a child did not have to be in school until age 7. You could start a child earlier in school but compulsory age was 7. Once my oldest was 7 I then started to keep track of days in school. So what you might want to do is find out what the compulsory starting age is in OK and start keeping track then ;) I of course was hsing before age 7 but did not worry about tracking days until age 7 :D

HTH

[snickelfritz]

So what's the problem, girl???

:ack2:

You guys are making me feel better. I tend to overthink things. :)


ETA: Compulsory age is 5.

[Barb F. PA in AZ]

When I lived in OK, I didn't even bother keeping track of days since the law doesn't require any records, but I accept that my way may make others squeamish. Here's some information I dug up that may help:

A "School Day"

In assessing "equivalent to that afforded by the state," it is also helpful to know what the public school system considers a "school day." Regulations pertaining to homeschooling are quoted previously and are not so specific. The Constitution has this to say about the definition of a public "school day." (70 O.S. 1-111)

"A school day for any group of pupils shall consist of not less than six (6) hours devoted to school activities...."

"...not more than one (1) school day shall be counted for attendance purposes in any 24-hour period."

"Pupils absent from school in which they are regularly enrolled may be considered as being in attendance if the reason for such absence is to participate in scheduled school activities under the direction and supervision of a regular member of the faculty."

Though it has never been defined in terms of homeschooling, this might be interpreted to mean any day in which the homeschooled "pupil" is under the supervision of their parent or guardian (who believes learning is taking place) may be considered a day of attendance for legal purposes. In fact, what is "compulsory" for public school students is "attendance," not "education."

The Department of Education has acknowledged that for students who are enrolled in public-school "homebound" programs (for long-term illness that prevents regular public school attendance), three hours of one-on-one instruction per week is considered to be "equivalent" for their purposes.

Most homeschoolers find that it doesn't take nearly as much time to cover subjects as it does in a formal school, since the parents are able to provide individualized attention without many distractions. Younger homeschooled children typically spend very little time in formalized studies; older children will spend more time.

While there is no reporting system in Oklahoma for homeschoolers, it is sometimes recommended that Oklahoma families keep some kind of record of the type of education being provided and each child's progress for at least 175 days of the year. Keeping formal records is not specifically required of homeschoolers (defined in the Constitution as providing "other means of education") according to Oklahoma law 70 O.S. 10-106, but in the rare event that a family is contacted by a truant officer, proof of meeting the minimum requirements of the law (i.e. "in good faith," and "equivalency") may be helpful to avoid conflicts. For various ways to do this, please see HERO's FAQ on record-keeping.

And the link: http://oklahomahomeschooling.org/oklahoma.htm#A%20%22School%20Day%22

Barb

[Jill, OK]

But like others have mentioned, I don't write anything down.

Of course, since we school year 'round, we probably end up doing more than 180 days' worth, but even if we didn't...I'd not bother with it.

You could always print off an attendance form (Donna Young's website probably has one), and check the days you 'school', if you feel the need to have some proof.

But one of the things I love about living here is that it really is mostly left up to your discretion what a 'good' education is! "Equivalent" education isn't tough! All the subjects that OK public schools cover (citizenship, etc.) are pretty much able to be found in any home where good discussions are taking place, and homeschoolers are actively directing their kids' educations.

I'm editing this one more time, lol, just to assure you that what you described for a K'er sounds wonderful, and I don't think you should tie yourself up in knots about it.

And you should PM me, and tell me where you are in OK! If...you want me to know, that is, lol. ;-)

[Adrianne]

If I feel learning has taken place and they are not behind in their necessary work (reading and arith) then I count life experiences like that.

I also try to discuss with the kids about what they learned. It becomes obvious if learning has taken place.

For 2nd grade and younger, most things count in my book. Here in PA we do have to keep track of days and a contemporaneous log of the school work as well as submit a portfolio. I just take pictures and good notes!