Christian home educators have sought to comply with state compulsory
attendance laws without having the education of their children dictated
by the state. One way that parents have done this is by enrolling their
child(ren) at Gateway with the parents as the teachers. This
arrangement has been practiced at Gateway since 1983 when a
delegation of home educators from Jackson, Tn. started such a program with Dr. Crofford. This began before Tennessee ever had a "home school" law (which was passed in 1985).
At Gateway, we recognize and therefore appoint parents/guardians as the
teachers of their children in light of God's order for the family as
described in the Holy Scriptures. Church-related school students
need not comply with any of the "home school" provisions of Section 49-
6-3050 (such as testing or registration). In the Total Home Education program at Gateway, we consider you, parents (or guardians), to be
teachers of our school and your child(ren) to be student(s) of our
school.
SOURCES
Home education offers the opportunity for craftsmanship in education. Loving parents, not book publishers or school administrators, are the experts in education. Remember the effective methods of education you used before your children began "school." Inquire of godly parents with experience home-educating. Find out what they use for teaching materials; what they like and don't like about them, and why. Attend several home-education support group meetings. Read books and articles about home-education to broaden your perspective. Visit a curriculum center or educational store in your area. Examine the actual materials you are considering (not just a catalog). The goal is to choose teaching materials that will work for you and your student(s) at your house. Pray and ask the Lord for direction.
Suggested Reading for Parents:
GOING HOME TO SCHOOL, by Llewelyn Davis, 1991
THE HOW & WHY OF HOME SCHOOLING, by Ray E. Ballmann, 1995 EDUCATING THE WHOLEHEARTED CHILD, by Clay & Sally Clarkson, 1996
WISDOM'S WAY OF LEARNING, by Marilyn Howshall, 1994
HOME EDUCATING WITH CONFIDENCE, By Rick & Marilyn Boyer, 1996
A CHARLOTTE MASON EDUCATION: A HOW-TO MANUAL, by Catherine Levison, 1996
Parents as Teachers