While homeschooling certification is not mandatory, certain states have specific requirements for homeschooling teachers. For instance, some states stipulate that the homeschool teacher should have a high school diploma. However, it's worth noting that New York State, along with many others, does not necessitate a high school diploma for homeschooling your child.

Speaking from personal experience, when I initially began homeschooling, I did not possess a high school diploma. However, during my second year of homeschooling, I successfully obtained my high school equivalency diploma.

Absolutely. You know what's best for your child. The school could agree to continue all or part of the IEP, but they do not have to under federal law/rules. Even without formal training in special education, you know what is likely to work based on your children’s strengths, preferences, and interests.

The average cost of homeschooling ranges from $700 to $1,800 per child per school year, according to Time4Learning, an online resource for homeschooling families. This includes the cost of the curriculum, school supplies, field trips and extracurricular activities. Of course, depending on how you choose to run your homeschool, this amount can be much more less as there are many free resources for curriculums.

Numerous research studies have consistently demonstrated the positive socialization outcomes of homeschooled children. Notably, a study published in the Journal of College Admission revealed that homeschool graduates reported higher levels of community involvement and civic engagement when compared to their peers. Similarly, another study published in the Journal of School Choice indicated that homeschooled students scored higher on measures of social, emotional, and psychological development in comparison to their traditionally schooled counterparts. These findings emphasize the beneficial social outcomes experienced by homeschooled children as highlighted in reputable academic publications.