Q:

A:

We chose homeschool-life.com because it was an affordable way for our homeschooling group to have a web site. A web site, we felt, was an excellent way to share our group information and stay organized. Most of our families access the internet and had email so it was a logical fit. For the families that did not have the internet or email, they use the Public Library FREE internet access and signed up for a FREE email address. Our web site allows us to easily schedule all our group activities. We used to spend countless hours organizing our information, planning field trips, preparing newsletters and mailing and answering questions. Now, with Homeschool-Life.com, scheduling events and keeping our families informed is a breeze.
We would encourage all our families to take advantage of the family web pages. The kids have a great time learning how to design web pages!

Q:

A:

In Wisconsin, we must file form PI-1206 with the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), not asking for permission, but informing them that we are instructing our children at home and that they are enrolled in our private home-based education program. This form attests that we are not circumventing the school attendance laws and are providing at least 875 hours of instruction per year covering at least reading, language arts, math, social studies, science and health. The form is completed electronically on the DPI website HOMER (PI-1206 Homeschool Report). You can find it here: HOMER (PI-1206 Homeschool Report). This form is filed between the 3rd Friday in September and October 15th each year, UNLESS you are starting your Home-Based Private Education Program (Homeschool) mid-school year, then you will file it immediately before removing your child from their school.

Q:

A:

There are two reasons for our name.

1.  We primarily serve Waukesha County Home Educators (aka homeschoolers)

2.  Many homeschool families profess the Christian faith and the group believes in following Christian Biblical principles to govern this website.  

Q:

A:

Yes. And no. 

If you are a member and have a class to promote, you may most certainly post on the forum about it in the Classes section.

If you are not a member, you can contact WCCHE at WaukeshaCCHE@gmail.com with your information and we will post information about the class on the forum for you. We can also list your business for you in our resource section.

If you are a member and have a family run business, you can list your business in the member business directory. We love to support other members!

However, for those that are members, our Family Directory is NOT to be used for soliciation (mail, phone, email, or other electronic communication means) and may result in immediate, permanent removal from membership with WCCHE. Membership fee will not be refunded if this occurs.

Q:

A:

Fortunately, no.

While your children are in your home for your lessons, homeschooling families are not accountable to a public school, their testing, & other rules. Homeschooling families do not accept taxpayer funding for their Private Home-Based Education Program (meaning they file the PI-1206 form to notify the state they have their children enrolled in a PHBEP - aka homeschooling). Homeschoolers follow a different set of laws and requirements than those set in place for public schools.

Using a virtual public/charter school may feel similar to homeschooling and not look anything like a brick & mortar public school classroom, virtual public schooling is also not legally the same as homeschooling. Homeschoolers file the PI-1206 form to notify the DPI of their child's enrollment in their homeschool. Those using the virtual public/charter schools enroll their child in that school and do not file the PI-1206 form.

 Homeschoolers want as little government involvement in their children's education as possible and thus tend to stay away from government funding due to the requirements of or strings attached to any government funding (those requirements are there due to taxpayer accountability for any taxpayer monies given out). Homeschoolers do not want the legal lines blurred between the virtual public schools and end up with accidental regulations because a legislator did not understand the difference between homeschooling and virtual public schooling (more common than you may realize - far too many people in government positions have no idea what the laws for homeschoolers actually are or why we file the PI-1206 form).

There is no shame in choosing whatever educational option that works best for your family.  We say this knowing that some people are reluctant to share their educational choices for whatever reasons. What works great for one family may well not work out as well for another family and that is okay! Having many educational options is a great thing! Embrace your family's educational choice! Just remember to call it what it is so that our legislators and the general public understand that they are not the same thing. :)  Please know that while WCCHE is only open to families that are filing the PI-1206, that doesn't mean we think less of those who choose public school options or are wanting to exclude people or be divisive.