Q: What is homeschooling?

A: Homeschooling is the most flexible and diverse educational option available today. The variety of homeschooling
styles reflects the diversity of the people who choose this method. Some families organize their homeschool the same
as a traditional school, with the children studying the same subjects the same way as public school students. Some fam-
ilies use the opposite approach and "un-school" their children-a far less structured approach where the children’s sched-
ule is determined by their interests and readiness. Most homeschoolers, however, use an eclectic approach that is partly
structured and partly interest-based. This method allows parents to pick and choose the classes and materials that meet
their children’s needs. These may be college or co-op classes, pool teaching, charter schools, independent study pro-
grams, apprenticeships, volunteering, and a host of options. Homeschooling is as unique as you are.

Q: What type of families homeschool their children?

A: Although homeschoolers are often stereotyped as non-conformist or education extremists, most homeschoolers are
just normal parents who have decided to take charge of their children’s education. Homeschoolers are everywhere and
come from all walks of life. They live in cities, in the suburbs, and in the country. They are doctors, lawyers, stay-at
home moms, public school teachers etc.. Some homeschoolers have strong religious beliefs and some are nonbeliev-
ers. Homeschoolers are normal people and families just like you.

Q: Is homeschooling legal?
A: Homeschooling is legal in all fifty states in America and throughout Canada. Homeschooling is also becoming in-
creasingly popular in Australia, New Zealand, England, Japan and in the Philippines. However, every state and province
has its own laws regarding homeschooling and some are more "friendly" than others. Some homeschooling laws merely
require you to let your local school district know that you will be homeschooling your children. Some laws require you to
fill out paperwork as if you were a private school. If you are considering homeschooling, you will need to get information
on the current laws in your area. National or local DEP Ed accredited homeschool groups are often the best source of
information.

A member of a support group in your area may advise you on how to register as a homeschooler in your locality. In the
Philippines, homeschooling is slowly becoming popular. There are about thousands (and growing) of families home-
schooling their kids. DepEd has become very open and has already given permits /accreditation to selected schools
supporting homeschooling. The excellent results in well documented academic assessment validates the superior quali-
ty of learning and character development honed at home along with homeschool support groups. In The Learning Place
the growing number of graduates in the elementary level who have successfully entered private and government high
schools in the Philippines i.e. Philippine Science High School, UP Rural High School, Christian School International,
Maquiling School etc. continue to amaze the community of their excellent performance .Enrollees in Grade 7 to 10 lev-
els are increasing every year. TLP is also open to give its internet/ on-line support to families homeschooling their chil-
dren outside the country (i.e. Thailand/Singapore/Japan/China/Nigeria /Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia and the Middle
East).

Q: What are the advantages of homeschooling?

A: For many homeschoolers, one of the greatest benefits of homeschooling is the strengthening of family bonds.
Homeschooling families spend lots of time learning and playing together and this naturally creates close ties between
brothers and sisters and between children and parents. Homeschoolers also have a great deal of flexibility in how and
what they learn, allowing them to learn about the "real world" by being part of it. These advantages allow homeschooled
children to receive a superior education that is attuned specifically to their own needs, learning style, personality, and
interests.
Q: How much does homeschooling cost?
A: Depending on the choices you make, homeschooling can cost either a little or a lot. Generally, you can assume that
homeschooling costs more than a public school education and less than a private school. If you had to, you could home-
school for free using public resources like libraries, PBS shows, museums, the Internet, and hand-me-down
educational supplies.
In general, homeschooling costs more if you use a boxed curriculum or sign up with an independent study program..
Homeschooling costs are higher for highschoolers than for elementary school students, and fees are normally charged
on a grade level bases. TLP Admin office annually update parents of its homeschool admin/registration fees. Please see
attached LP Homeschool Fees.

You will also want to budget additional funding for extracurricular activities such as soccer, gymnastics, martial arts, pi-
ano lessons, and the like. Since homeschooled children have more time, they tend to participate in more of these activi-
ties. The bottom line is that: (1) you have complete control over how much homeschooling will cost and (2) you can give
your child a quality education no matter how much or how little money you have. Check out the depth of resources avail-
able in our resource guide: http://www.homeschool.com/resources/. Other supplementary learning materials (i.e videos)
may also be taken from the internet : i.e. www.khanacademy.com)

Q: What are the disadvantages of homeschooling?

A: According to homeschoolers’ feedback on Homeschool.com, the biggest disadvantage facing the homeschooling
family is loss of income. Someone must be home, at least part-time, to facilitate the children’s learning. At a time when it
can often be difficult to get by on two incomes, it can be a real challenge to get by on just one. Some of the other difficul-
ties facing homeschooling parents include lack of confidence in their own and their children’s abilities, public and/or fam-
ily criticism, and adjusting career goals and work schedules to accommodate the needs of the family. One last challenge
humorously cited by homeschoolers is that of housekeeping. When you use your home full-time for homeschooling (and
in some cases even for work), things can get a bit messy. But don’t worry, those books piled high on the coffee table,
the science experiment on the table, and the art project in the patio are all signs that your child is learning.

Q: How are homeschooled students doing socially?

A: It used to be that if you announced that you were going to homeschool your children people would ask you, "How
will your children learn anything?" Now that fears have been put to rest regarding homeschoolers’ academic achieve-
ment, the most commonly asked question is, "But what about socialization?" The assumption is that children will not
learn to get along with others and will not develop good social skills unless they go to school. However, several studies
have been conducted over the years that show that homeschooled children are more self-confident and less peer de-
pendent than traditionally schooled students. Many people believe that homeschoolers spend all their time around the
kitchen table, but that simply is not the case. Since homeschooled students do not spend six hours a day in a classroom
sitting behind a desk, they have more time to participate in activities outside the home like music, sports, and Scouts.
Also, whereas schoolchildren rarely have the opportunity to interact with the children who are not the same age, home-
schooled children interact with and learn from people of all ages, genders, and interests.

Q: Can I homeschool if we are overseas?

A: Homeschooling is growing in popularity around the world. TLP is very open to families who opt to homeschool their
children while working overseas. The students initially take the academic Learning Skills Assessment (LSA) via skype
then modules will be prescribed according to the results reflected from the taken LSA. The students are facilitated by the
TLP Homeschool Administrator starting from the enrolment, training of parents/guardian on the use of curriculum, or-
dering of materials, taking Mastery Evaluation Test ( via skype or google hangout)on a quarterly or even monthly basis
and all throughout the academic year. Assistance is also given on matters pertaining to school record documentations,
transfers, application to other schools etc.
Q: Will my child be able to get into college if they are homeschooled?
A: Homeschoolers are accepted and recruited by some of the top universities globally because of their maturity, inde-
pendent thinking skills, creativity, and strong academic preparation. As previously mentioned, homeschoolers perform
above average on the ACT. Success on the ACT test reveals that the courses taken by high school students to prepare
for college have been effective. Homeschoolers also placed highest on the SAT college entrance exams in the year
2000. In addition to academic success, homeschoolers have had athletic success in college. Coaches are recruiting
homeschooled athletes, and in 2001 the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) declared about 100 home-
schooled students’ eligible for athletics as freshmen at major universities, up from 85 the year before. An article in Time
on September 11, 2000, reported that 26 percent of 35 homeschooled applicants had been accepted into Stanford Uni-
versity’s 2000-2001 freshman class. This is nearly double the rate of overall acceptance .

TLP constantly monitor its graduates in the respective school they enter into after elementary and highschool. TLP’s first
batch of Homeschool Highschool graduate(2007) had been successfully placed in top colleges and universities in the
Philippines and have been doing well both in their academic and character performances.

Q: Will my children be able to succeed in the "real world" if they do not go to school?
A: Those exploring homeschooling for the first time sometimes worry that their child will not be able to function in the
"real world" if they don’t attend school and have the same social experiences as schooled children. But what do schools
really do? They separate kids by age and ability, reinforce class and gender, and limit children’s interactions to short
recess periods. Schoolchildren are forced to socialize with children only their own age and are trapped in a room six to
seven hours a day, allowed to view the outside world only through a textbook. Where in the real world are adults forced
to socialize with only someone their own age? Competition, bullying, consumerism, and cruel teasing are often the so-
cial values children learn at school. Homeschooled children are more likely to base their decisions on values they
learned from their parents instead of feeling compelled to go along with the crowd and accept the behavior of what oth-
er children are displaying as the "norm". Because homeschoolers spend so much time out in the real world, they are
able to communicate well and get along with both adults and children. They even get along with their siblings, and it is
common for homeschooling families to receive positive comments about their children’s strong, warm sibling relation-
ships.

Q: Will my child/children be allowed to interact with TLP regular students?

A:TLP’s immersion classes offered to homeschool students enrolled in the support program give them a great chance
to socialize and experience the best of both worlds (a progressive type of education offered to regular classroom stu-
dents i.e field trips; school programs, membership in school clubs and non academic subjects such as PE, Arts and
Crafts and Leadership Advisory Classes only. Computer Literacy is not part of the regular class inclusion.
Homeschoolers who signify their intention to join should properly coordinate with the TLP Admin regarding schedules
and classroom rules and policies set by particular subject teachers and advisers. It is the homeschooling parent’s re-
sponsibility to properly orient and coordinate with the teacher in charge of the subject if the child will be attending select-
ed non-academic regular classes. TLP regular classes may experience adjustments in schedules to cover up for holi-
days or unexpected cancellation of classes. TLP teachers in charge of specific classes are not liable to record/check or
monitor any of the homeschooling child’s schedule or academic materials used in the classroom. Homeschoolers may
work on their academic subjects in TLPon a self-study basis provided that there is a space available at the TLP Home-
school Hub or in the school library while waiting for their non-acad subject class immersion . This must be well coordi-
nated with the Homeschool Admin beforehand. Homeschoolers are to wear TLP Official ID upon entrance to the school
premises. Homeschoolers are required to order and wear TLP Official PE shirt when they join TLP activities. Gala uni-
forms are optional for Homeschool students. Homeschoolers(with the proper TLP PE and Gala uniforms) may join
year-end class pictorials.
Q: What clubs will homeschoolers be allowed to join?
A. Homeschoolers from Grades 3 to 6 may join clubs offered at TLP Regular School students to further enhance their
socialization and ability to interact with students from different grade levels. Homeschoolers who would opt to join
must coordinate with the Homeschool Admin Officer for possible audition in TLP Clubs i.e. Free Hands ( Visual Arts
and Crafts); Free Moves ( Dance and Movement). Free Souls ( Voice,Music and Instrument); Talkshoppe ( Hosting,
Emceeing and Theater); Robotics Club and Young Entrep Mentorship Class ( for Grade 4 to 10 level)
Q: When do Homeschoolers Enrol?
A :Homeschoolers may enrol any time of the year. One school year is equivalent to 10 months. Flexibility is one of the
unique features of homeschooling. Students may work at his or her own pace and ability. However, if they opt to finish
the same year and follow the normal school year calendar of regular students, it is best to enrol months of April and
May so they would be able to start their homeschool classes from June to April and join the year-end annual recogni-
tion and graduation program of the regular school students.

Q. Can Homeschoolers join field trips of regular school students?

A : Yes, homeschoolers are very much welcome to join field trips that are organized by regular school classes. The
TLP Homeschool Admin will be the one to coordinate and announce to the homeschool families schedule of school or
class field trips. Corresponding field trip waiver must be signed and fees must be paid to the TLP Admin Accounting
Office prior to the scheduled trip.
Q. How many hours do you allot for taking LSA (Learning Skills Assessment) and MET (Mastery
Evaluation Test)?

A: Each student is given an hour to finish one subject taken for their LSA and MET( English, Science, Math and
Reading Comprehension). Fifteen to 20 minutes break are given in between every test taken. Corresponding fees
( both for students homeschooling abroad and locally) must be paid at the Admin Office or through designated home-
school Bank Account (TLP Educ Homelinks) prior to taking the test. Deposit slip must be scanned and sent/email to
[email protected] as proof of payment for the LSA. TLP Homeschool may already set the LSA /MET schedule for
the student after corresponding fees have been settled. Details regarding payment matters must be coursed through
the TLP Admin Accounting Office.

Q: What are the books and resources that could be use for Computer Subjects and Arts and Crafts?

A. Homeschoolers are free to choose the materials they would want their child to learn in computer and arts and crafts.
There are several resources, sites and supplementary materials they could make use of from the internet. They may
use or align the lessons and materials from the given list of learning competencies assigned for each grading level that
would be provided for TLP Homeschoolers.
Q: How do homeschoolers ( elem and highschool) get their grades in PE?

A. Homeschoolers may opt to join the TLP regular class for their PE Class. They may check on the class schedule for
PE and inform the Homeschool Admin so this could be coordinated with the PE teacher of the corresponding grade lev-
el that their child would opt to attend.The PE teacher will be the one to issue the quarterly grade for the homeschool
child. For homeschoolers who cannot join the regular PE class of TLP, they have the option to enrol in other sports of
their interest ( Badminton, Soccer, Swimming , Basketball etc). Proof of attendance and completion (i.e certificate of
completion/attendance/achievement) of whatever sport is chosen must be presented and submitted to TLP Home-
school Admin together with the grades ( given by their instructor) in rubric form. See rubric form use for PE Subject.

Q. How do we compute grades for Kinder level and for those subjects not using Lifepacs/Modules?
A. Homeschool Adapts a special grading system which is used by the regular schooled students for preschool level
and for subjects not using modules or lifepacs. This will be individually presented and explained to the parents /guardian
or tutor of the child to properly guide them . A special schedule will be set to fully orient and teach them about this mat-
ter.

Q. Does TLP offer homeschool support program partnerships with private tutorial centers/sped ther-
apy centers, NGOs who work with children etc?

A. Yes, TLP offers special tie-ups/partnerships/affiliations with private tutorial centers and the like catering to home-
school kids and families both in the Philippines and abroad.TLP serves as the school admin arm of the tutorial centers
to assure and monitor academic and non-academic performance and compliance to school procedures of every en-
rolled homeschool student in the center. A special arrangement is forged between the tutorial center management and
The Learning Place Admin Support Homeschool Department. Those interested may contact or email the school direc-
tress for further queries on this special arrangements : [email protected]
Q: Will I be given the option to choose my own curriculum for my child’s homeschool
program? What’s the difference between using my own curriculum and adapting TLP’s
Homeschool Curriculum?

A. Yes you have the option to choose your own curriculum provided that you are able to make sure that all the learning
competencies required by DEPED under the grade level of your child are fully covered. You may research learning
competencies for each grade level in DEPED Website. When you use your own curriculum you will be the one to make
your own quizzes, long tests, exercises, and projects. In order for us to be assured that your child was able to get the
learning competencies for his grade level, we will be giving him a Mastery Evaluation Test (MET) at the end of the year
or on a quarterly basis. We are the ones who make the MET as an independent measure/evaluation of your child's aca-
demic grade level performance. Computation of Grades must also be aligned with the DEPED Grading System. This
has to be well presented to us so we could be assured and confident that everything has been carefully planned and
thought of before you finally proceed with your do-it yourself curriculum. This gives you more liberty but of course the
hard work of pulling everything through. Somehow this makes our job easier, though you still pay the same one-time
TLP school registration fee and annual grade level tuition fee.

Another option which we actually offer is for you to adapt our prescribed curriculum. We design your child's curricu-
lum after your child has taken the Learning Skills Assessment( LSA) The curriculum is aligned with the learning com-
petencies of DEPED for your child’s grade level. If ever you have other topics or skills you want your child to
learn which are not in the prescribed curriculum you have the liberty to add them as supplements. The tests, quizzes,
projects, score keys are already embedded in the teacher's guide of each particular subject we are to prescribed to
your child. You may order the materials online after we have given you the subject prescriptions. We have a complete
grading system which will just allow you to document scores of test. exercises , quizzes etc. Computation of final
grades for the report card are done by us. Our Homeschool Program Administrator (HPA) will be the one to assist you
in taking quarterly test, both online or on-site. The METs are already prepared by TLP, you don't need to make it. You
will be the one to inform our HPA if your child is already prepared to take the test. You are free to contact our HPA if
you have queries about your child's homeschooling concerns. As your homeschool admin, we provide you with all the
school documents that DEPED requires. You are also part of our school Alpha List which we submit to DEPED on a
yearly basis to validate the grade level that your child has accomplished.

Q. Do you prescribe religious and/or Biblical teachings in your curriculum?

Incorporated in our curriculum is the Bible Lifepac where we also get the corresponding grades assigned to Values Ed-
ucation/Christian Living. Students are prescribed Bible Lifepacs for their specific grade Level. Parents may use other
preferred religious materials or workbooks in place of the Bible Lifepacs that are prescribed to the students.

Q. How do you administer periodical test for homeschool students?

Homeschool students may take their Mastery Evaluation Test ( MET) or what we call the Periodical Test at TLP or this
may be taken online (Skype) for those who cannot physically make it to TLP. Parents/Guardians or tutors are to coordi-
nate with the TLP Homeschool Admin to set specific schedule for the said test.
Q: What if my child has learning gaps from his/her previous grade level?

A. It is possible that your child would have learning gaps in major subjects such as Science, Math or Lan-
guage Arts as reflected in the results of the Learning Skills Assessment. Your child may be given learn-
ing modules a year below his grade level. Your child has to work on the prescribed learning modules
addressing the gaps first before working on the learning materials or curriculum of his exact grade level.
Your child will be given at least a year or even shorter to work on his learning gaps (depending on the
number of given modules and the ability of the child to accomplish the prescribed modules). The child
will be given the learning modules exact for his grade level immediately after the gaps have been ad-
dressed.

B. What are the usual subjects for elementary and high school level ?

Mathematics
Mathematics

Language Arts Language Arts & Literature

Science
Science
History and
History and Geography
Geography
Major
Major Electives
Electives
Philippine
Philippine
History & Culture
History & Culture
Filipino
Filipino Minor
Minor Electives
Electives Computer Literacy
Computer
Literacy
Creative Home Economics Livelihood Education
Arts and Crafts
Music Arts PE and Health
PE/Sports
Bible/Values
Reading/Oral
Presentation Education
Reading/Oral
Bible/Values
Education Presentation

A. We offer a fast track curriculum for high school students only. This is offered only for the students who
need to catch up with their studies and grade level that they have considerably missed in the previous
years due to very valid reasons and conditions as evaluated and approved by the school director.
Elem Level
Q. What Additional Ideas or Resources Could We Use for Minor Subjects :

Music : you may expose or give lessons about classical music . Pls go to http://www.musickit.com : this is a
good site that offers strategies on teaching music or integrating music into your lessons and sample activi-
ties the student may do or accomplish per quarter. It includes planning guides, lesson plans and resources.
Another good site to learn about essentials of music (best classical music from Middle Ages to present) is
http://www.essentialsofmusic.com/main.html. Just make sure that the student has an output which could be
presented/assigned and graded in four quarters. The student may even compose/record a song that he/
she could present or sing to the other TLP Homeschoolers and teachers.

Home Economics : these could be activities related to artwork . You may give activities on cooking/baking/
food preservation/; housekeeping/table setting/organizing a party, sewing/interior designing. Be creative and
work along the interests of the student. Again all the activities you will do must be properly documented in
order to give an objective evaluation/grade in each quarter.

Computer Literacy : you may give advanced computer lessons of the student’s interest or let him /her pro-
duce simple videos or MTVs on Environmental Issues using the program Movie Maker or more complicated
powerpoint presentations in Science and History subjects. Again, four major outputs must be submitted in
line with computer related activities assigned to every grading period. Or you may check on the learning
competencies guide for computer literacy for K-12. You may request this through email or get a hardcopy
from the admin office.

PE : you may enroll the student in any sports or physical activity i.e modern dance/jazz/gymnastics/biking/
running/aerobics.swimming, basketball, badminton etc.) of his/her interest. The teacher must fill out the PE
evaluation form in rubrics as basis of his grades and give certificate of attendance. Kindly document/take
pictures of his/her chosen PE activity.

Homeroom; TLP will be issuing 3-4 Bible Lifepacs ( as reflected in the pace prescription) (selected topics) for
him to answer. Scores of STs and LPs must be submitted as basis for his/her Homeroom /Values Ed subject.
You may also expose the student to the timeless principles of the 7 habits of highly effective teens by Ste-
phen Covey. You may order the book or watch youtube presentations he/she learns the lessons behind
each habit. Another great topic is about the growth mindset which has a complete curriculum ( for free)
when you register( also for free) at www.khanacademy.org

Filipino and Phil History : Just follow the prescribed books and the guide questions found at the end of each
chapter. You may also coordinate with the TLP Homeschool Admin to guide you in working on the test/
quizzes/exams in both subjects.
Q: What pertinent assistance/support will homeschoolers be able to avail at The Learning
Place International?

A: 1.Professional consultation for beginning homeschoolers:

Everything You Need to Know About Homeschooling
How to Get Started and Get the Support You Need to a Successful Homeschooling
Finding the Right Curriculum for Your Child/Children

2.Administration and Analysis of Learning Skills Assessment (LSA)/ Academic Diagnostic Test /
Mastery Evaluation Test and Tutorial Services of the following subjects:

English, Science, Mathematics and Reading Comprehension; Research Proposal and Project Based Learning

3.Teacher Trainings for Homeschooling Moms and Dads :

The Power and Magic of Storytelling
Finding The Missing Link in Teaching Reading
Writing Your Personal Vision and Mission
Effective Homeschool Discipline and Management
The Power of Effective Presentation Skills
Making Effective Questions ( Higher Order Thinking Skills)
Analysis and Assessment of Reading Difficulties : Dyslexia
Coaching Your Children to Peak Performance
TLP Curriculum Systems Management
Effective Teaching Strategies and Techniques for the 21st Century Learners
Developing Financial Literate Children and Families
Conducting Project –Based Learning With Your Children

4. Special Trainings and Workshops for Homeschool Kids and Teens

The Making of A Unique Youth
Creative Writing Workshop
The Power of Effective Oral Presentation Skills
The Power and Magic of Storytelling
Developing and Managing Effective Study Habits
Writing Your Personal Mission and Vision
The Power of a Financial Literate Student (Financial Literacy and Basic Entrep Mentorship)

5.Administrative Assistance and Record Keeping Documentation

TLP serves as the Admin Support of every homeschool family by providing them :

Report Cards ( Form 138); Transcript of Record ( Form 137); Certificate of Enrolment; Good Moral; Recommendation
Forms; Transfer Credentials ; ID; Insurance. Medical Cerificates; Assistance in application for High School admis-
sion in chosen schools; Issuance of Acceleration Certificate etc.

6. Recognition and Graduation Programs

Homeschoolers may join the Annual Recognition and Graduation program of TLP or through a program sponsored
by its affiliate homeschool tutorial center . Homeschoolers are to comply with all the pertinent requirements in order
to qualify for honors and special awards. Parents are informed of the schedules and must comply with deadline of
submission of requirements prior to graduation/recognition rites. This program provides avenue to recognize the
efforts ( both academic and character) not only of the homeschool students but their parents as well.