| CULTURAL | HOLISTIC | INTERNATIONAL | RELIGIOUS | SPECIAL INTEREST |
homeschool support: special interest
| ACTIVISTS | EXPATRIATES | SPECIAL NEEDS | US MILITARY |Activism for Kids
Teach children about social and environmental activism with these activities.
Action For Nature
Take personal action to improve the environment and make this world a better place for humans and nature.
American Red Cross: Take a Class
Teens who may be considering futures in health or emergency preparation fields can take courses and help in emergencies both locally and internationally. Consider creating a box full of homeschool essentials, for example, for a family who has lost their home.
Amnesty International for Students and Youth
Our vibrant student and youth groups undertake public demonstrations and letter writing, to teach-ins and face to face meetings with elected and appointed officials.
Charity Work For Kids
Supporting the growth of charitable spirit in their children is important to many families (homeschooling or not), but finding opportunity for children to engage in meaningful charity work can be challenging.
Children's Rights
Briefing papers for students. The CRC envisions the 'whole child' as a full, valuable, participating member of society. Ideas and resources to take action.
Edible Landfill Recipe
An A-Z Resource
How to assemble a model landfill to learn how a modern trash dump works.
Energy Quest
Worried about the electric power crisis, rolling blackouts? Here are some things kids can do to help conserve energy.
Environmental Explorer's Club
The US Environmental Protection Agency shows kids what they can do to protect our precious resources, to help keep air and water pure.
Free the Children
Free The Children's mission is to create a world where all young people are free to achieve their fullest potential as agents of change. And we couldn't have a better blueprint for success: the organization was founded by Craig Kielburger in 1995 when he gathered 11 school friends to begin fighting child labour. He was 12.
Games For Change
Directory of games that engage contemporary social issues in meaningful ways to foster a more just, equitable and/or tolerant society.
Global March Against Child Labour
Learn about the lives, struggles, hardships and dangers of working children. Use the resources provided to learn and take action to make difference!
Global Gang
Real life news, great games, global gossip, and lots more fun for kids who are curious about kids in other cultures. Based on the international work of Christian Aid.
Global Warming Kids Site
Earth has warmed by about 1ºF over the past 100 years. But why? And how? Well, scientists are not exactly sure. The Earth could be getting warmer on its own, but many of the world's leading climate scientists think that things people do are helping to make the Earth warmer.
Harpseals.org
The facts and truth of the annual Atlantic Canadian harp seal slaughter.
Jane Goodall Institute: Roots & Shoots Global Peace Initiative
Since September 11th, Roots & Shoots has worked hard to develop a response to the tragedy - a pathway that we can follow to positive action.
The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation
Like dogs? Consider raising a puppy to be a search and rescue dog.
NARHA is now the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International
Volunteer your time, your barn, or your horse to help handicapped children feel better.
Not For Ourselves Alone
The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. How kids can also be a force for improvement in their communities. From PBS.
Peace Corps Kids World
Join our pal, Traveler, as she explores the globe and learns about making a difference. Come on in to the home of adventure and service.
PETA Kids
This is an animal rights group. Some of the material on this page may be disturbing. Please view this site with your parent. PETA has suggestions about alternatives to dissection and about actively protesting the treatment of animals by zoos, circuses and rodeos.
Room to Read's Students Helping Students
By taking the initiative and starting fundraising projects at their school, church, or community group, students will cultivate valuable leadership skills as well as feel empowered that they can be agents of change in the world.
Solcomhouse
So many ways that you can help save the earth! Issues made easy to understand, from AIDs to Wind Power.
The Student Conservation Association
SCA provides high school students and college students alike with meaningful conservation service internships and volunteer opportunities in our National Parks, Forests and other public lands. Enjoy adventure, gain experience, and make a difference.
Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF
How Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF helped other children around the world.
Zombie Pandemic: Preparedness 101
This website was created by the CDC to help educators teach middle school aged children the basics of emergency preparedness and response using a fun, fictitious scenario.
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Expatriates
Advice
The Big Field Trip
We have lived in India for a year and a half now, and some of my highest hopes and educational goals have been realized. Simultaneously, some of my ideas lie trampled under the stress and adjustment of living in a new culture. By Sherra Still, TOS.
Expat Network
A comprehensive resource for expatriates living and working abroad.
Foreign Service
AN A TO Z ARTICLE
Let your children see the world! Consider homeschooling while posted at an embassy abroad.
Home Education Abroad
If you are living away from your home culture, you may want to teach your children at home while you settle in and visit the local schools, or you might decide that it's a good opportunity to try out home education long-term.
Undiscovered Country
AN A TO Z ARTICLE
by Gillison, Samantha
Review from your Homeschooling Guide on this dark novel of an homeschooling family's nightmare in New Guinea. 1999 Paperback from Amazon.com.
Foreign Service
American Foreign Service Association Scholarship Program
Provides financial aid and merit scholarships for Foreign Service youth to pursue their college education.
Education Allowance
274.12 Other Amounts ... b. in lieu of the "school at post" rate, a separate allowance rate of up to $3,000 each school year for home study/private instruction in grades K-8 and up to $5,000 in grades 9-12; however, if the local school/grade is adequate, reimbursement is limited to the school at post rate if it is lower than the home study/private instruction rate.
Family Liaison Office
Because Foreign Service children face constantly changing cultures, uneven quality of schools abroad, and scarcity of educational facilities for special-needs children, a priority of the Family Liaison Office (FLO) is the educational and emotional development of children from mobile families.
The Home Study Option
Foreign Service families are taking another look at the home school option when a post lacks educational facilities or because of personal or religious preferences. The following are some thoughts, based on one family's experience, to help you evaluate the option of a home study program for your family.
Home Study/Private Instructions Questions and Answers
QUESTION: What is adequate home study/private instruction?
ANSWER: This is a complete academic course approved by a competent authority using correspondence course and other appropriate materials in the home or by private instruction.
Homeschooling and Online Education
Prepared by the US Department of State for their employees and families.
See also Distance Learning Programs
Homeschooling
The Home Study Option
Home schooling, however, has become a more familiar concept through its current popularity in the U.S. Now, Foreign Service families are taking another look at the home school option when a post lacks educational facilities or because of personal or religious preferences.
Missionary & Expatriate Kids
Homeschooling From Abroad
China has changed the whole family and I'm certain it's the best education Zak has received up this point. In the US, so much of what we hear about China is simply untrue. By Leslie Clary, HEM M/J 06.
You Know You're an MK When...
1. You can't answer the question, "Where are you from?"
Online
Expat-homeschool
This list is for expatriates who homeschool their child or children.
Options
International Schools Services
The ISS appears to be able to customize an education program for families stationed in even the most remote areas of the world.
Overseas Schools
This is a page so you can see what your alternatives are other than homeschooling. You can find contact and background information on worldwide American-sponsored elementary and secondary schools overseas and current fact sheets on the 180 American international schools.
Support
AAFSW Playgroup
A group of stay-at-home Foreign Service parents in the Washington DC area. With the support of the American Association of Foreign Service Women, the playgroup has grown to include members from the State Department and other foreign affairs agencies.
Teens
Foreign Service Youth Foundation
Provides information, advocacy and outreach activities for the internationally mobile youth of all U.S. foreign affairs agencies. This support is extended to youth and their parents in the Washington, D.C. area as well as at Foreign Service posts abroad.
I.B. or Not I.B.? That is the question
With the virtues and value of A-levels in dispute as never before, more and more parents and students are considering the International Baccalaureate. But what is the IB? Where does it come from, and -- crucially -- is it any good?
Taking the ACT Outside the 50 United States
Students must register directly with the supervisor of the test center where they wish to test, not with ACT and not via the Web. The deadline date for contacting the test center is the Friday two weeks before the scheduled test date.
Third Culture Kids
Third Culture Kids (TCKs): Focus of Major Study
A research project on adult-TCKs who are between 25 and 90, who currently reside in the United States, and who spent at least one school-age year abroad as the minor dependent of an American parent.
Special Needs
American Foundation for the Blind
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a national nonprofit that expands possibilities for people with vision loss. AFB’s priorities include broadening access to technology, elevating the quality of information and tools for the professionals who serve people with vision loss, and promoting independent and healthy living for people with vision loss by providing them and their families with relevant and timely resources.
The ARC
The Arc is the world’s largest community based organization of and for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It provides an array of services and support for families and individuals. The Arc is devoted to promoting and improving supports and services for all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Council for Exceptional Children
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides continual professional development, advocates for newly and historically underserved individuals with exceptionalities, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice.
Developmental Disabilities Resource Center
DDRC provides leading-edge services that create opportunities for people with developmental disabilities and their families to participate fully in the community. Quality, dignity and choice are the values of DDRC.
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities
The National Dissemination Center is the center that provides information to the nation on disabilities in children and youth; programs and services for infants, children, and youth with disabilities; IDEA, the nation’s special education law and research-based information on effective practices for children with disabilities. Anyone can use their services—families, educators, administrators, journalists, students. Their special focus is children and youth birth to age 22.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
The National MS Society is a collective of passionate individuals who want to do something about MS now. They help each person address the challenges of living with MS through their 50-state network of chapters. The Society helps people affected by MS by funding cutting-edge research, driving change through advocacy, facilitating professional education, and providing programs and services that help people with MS and their families move their lives forward.
National Organization on Disability
The mission of the National Organization on Disability (NOD) is to expand the participation and contribution of America’s 54 million men, women and children with disabilities in all aspects of life. NOD is working toward closing the participation gap by raising disability awareness through programs and information.
Office of Special Education Programs
The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) understands the many challenges still facing individuals with disabilities and their families. Therefore, OSERS is committed to improving results and outcomes for people with disabilities of all ages. OSERS supports programs that serve millions of children, youth and adults with disabilities.
Social Security Administration
The Social Security Administration’s Strategic Plan provides a guide for meeting the goals of the President’s Management Agenda and the Government Performance and Results Act, and describes how the Agency will deliver results for the American people.
Spina Bifida Association of America
The Spina Bifida Association (SBA) serves adults and children who live with the challenges of Spina Bifida. Since 1973, SBA has been the only national voluntary health agency solely dedicated to enhancing the lives of those with Spina Bifida and those whose lives are touched by this challenging birth defect. Its tools are education, advocacy, research, and service.
United Cerebral Palsy Association, Inc.
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is the leading source of information on cerebral palsy and is a pivotal advocate for the rights of persons with any disability. As one of the largest health charities in America, the UCP mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network.
Autism
Autism Society of America
The leading source of information and referral on autism.
Asperger's Resources
Online Asperger's Syndrome information and support (O.A.S.I.S).
Behavior Disorders:
Behavior Home Page
From the University of Kentucky and the Kentucky Department of Education.
National Autism Resources
The leading online resource for information, advice, toys, gifts, educational products and more.
Virtual Resource Center in Behavioral Disorders
Multimedia case studies and conference papers
Blindness and Visual Impairments
American Foundation for the Blind: (http://www.afb.org/)
The organization to which Helen Keller devoted her life.
American Printing House for the Blind
provides special media, tools, and materials.
National Federation of the Blind
Voice of the nation's blind.
Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic
Serves people who cannot read standard print because of a visual, perceptual or other physical disability.
Brain Trauma
Brain Injury Association America
Brain injury prevention, research, education, and advocacy.
Brain Injury Center
A chartered state affiliate of Brain Injury Association of America, Inc.
Cognitive & Developmental Disabilities
The ARC
A national association on mental retardation.
American Association on Mental Retardation
Promotes progressive policies, sound research, effective practices, and universal human rights for people with intellectual disabilities.
National Down Syndrome Society
Education, research, and advocacy.
Deafness, Hearing Impairments, and Communication Disorders
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
The professional association of audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists.
Net Connections for Communications Disorders and Sciences
An Internet guide.
Disability Information
Cornucopia of Disability Information
Resource for consumers and professionals.
Marc Sheehan's Special Education Page
Extensive list of links on special ed and related abilities and conditions.
Gifted & Talented
The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented
Links to resources on gifted and enrichment programs.
Center for Gifted Education
From the University of Connecticut.
Learning Disabilities
LD Online
Guide to learning disabilities for parents, teachers and students.
LD Resources:
Resources for the learning disabilities community.
Legal Issues
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Document Center
Statutes, regulations, and other assistance documents.
Assistive Technology Act of 1998
Document of the Act.
Consortium for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education (CADRE)
Collaborative strategies to resolve disagreements about special education and early intervention programs.
EdLaw
NPO advocating systematic change.
IDEA Practices
Assistance in implementing the IDEA law.
Legal & Advocacy Resources
Numerous links on law and advocacy.
Organizations
Center for Adolescent Studies
Committed to linking Practice and Research.
Circle of Inclusion
For early childhood service providers and families of young children.
Council for Exceptional Children
Dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted.
National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing
On the forefront of efforts to improve the quality of education and learning in America.
Technology and Inclusion
Support organization for people with disabilities.
Resources for Parents
PACER Center
Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights.
Parents Helping Parents/)
Family resource center.
ParentsPlace.com
News, tools, and expert advice for parents.
Publications for Parents
From the US Department of Education.
Stories: Special Needs and Accommodations
Adventures in Cybercamp: (http://www.4teachers.org/testimony/goldstein/)
a summer technology camp in a special needs district brings life to the curriculum.
At-Risk High Schoolers Learn Health Science in an Integrated Curriculum
One teacher explains the benefits of careful technology choices.
Bringing Cultures Closer Together with Technology
A gifted student inspires a teacher's involvement in a cross-state classroom.
Celebrity Interview Project
A reading teacher finds success with every student using a popular, tech-integrated project.
Technology: A Key to Help Unlock At-Risk Children
Technology helps an at-risk student begin to interact with his peers.
Technology Breaks Barriers for a Special Needs Child
Finding solutions for a child with multiple disabilities.
Sally, A Special Needs Student, Succeeds with the Web
A technology teacher discovers the strengths and weaknesses of the Internet.
Transition
Job Accommodations Network
free consultation about job accommodations and the employability of people with disabilities.
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US Military
American-Based
ALABAMA
Maxwell Area Home Educators
A homeschool support group formed primarily to assist military homeschoolers on and around Maxwell AFB. Our members live in Montgomery, Prattville, and other local areas in Alabama.
CALIFORNIA
Edwards AFB Homeschoolers
Our goal is to encourage an active homeschooling community for all EAFB affiliated families, both military and civilian. We currently provide field trips, PE, 'mom's night', and we sponsor an Adopt-A-Lot as a community activity.
Home Schooling at Beale AFB
The purpose of this group is to provide a venue for assistance and information concerning home schooling at Beale AFB. It is open to all who wish to participate, whether a member of a local charter school, independent study program, private school (R4) filer, or those who may just be curious about home schooling in general.
Monterey Bay Military Homeschoolers
A support group for military families who homeschool and live on the Monterey Peninsula, California.
Twin Ridges Home Study BAFB
The purpose of this group is to provide a forum for assistance and information for families in the Twin Ridges Home Study program at Beale AFB
COLORADO
HEARTS
Helping, Educating, Accepting, Replenishing, Training, and Supporting Colorado Springs military homeschoolers in the name of Christ. Open to anyone who does not require sponsorship to get on Peterson AFB. We also have our Statement of Faith and policies on the site.
Peterson Homeschoolers
Colorado. We are comprised of active duty, reserve, and retired military members and their families.
DC AREA
Andrews Home Educators
We are a military family support group for home educating families living on or near Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
Military Homeschool Support (MHS)
We are primarily military families providing a home education for our children. We are an inclusive group, serving the Yorktown, Newport News, Poquoson, Hampton, Virginia area. POC is Colleen Thompson, mhsg@cox.net
GEORGIA
Ft Benning Homeschoolers
This is a group designed to unite military homeschoolers in the Ft. Benning, Georgia area.
GREAT LAKES AREA
Great Lakes Home Educators Online
The purpose of this group is to connect homeschooling military families at Great Lakes NTC.
GUAM
Guam Home School Association
GHSA is a homeschooling support group led by conservative Christians, with a diverse group of members from other faiths, within our membership guidelines.
HAWAII
Military Home Educators Network-Oahu
A forthrightly Christian support group of military home schoolers from all across the Island of Oahu, Hawaii.
Navy Home School Group - Hawaii
A home school group for Hawaii Navy families in Oahu that provides support for field trips coordinated by members, networking opportunities, community service projects, idea sharing, and physical fitness support.
Oahu Military Homeschoolers Connection
OMHC is a military homeschooling group connecting with one another for the social growth of our children. Group membership is open to ALL homeschooling families regardless of race, gender, or religious affiliation. Yahoo Group.
LOUISIANA
Barksdale Homeschool board
This group is a special creation for the board members serving the homeschool support group for Barksdale Air Force Base.
NEVADA
Nellis Homeschool Girl Scouts #610
Based on Nellis Air Force Base. We have many different levels under one troop number and would love to have more.
Nellis Homeschool Group
We are families based at Nellis AFB who home school our children. We are a base sponsored group and use this site for disseminating information to each other and for general chatter about homeschooling in general or activities of our group.
NORTH CAROLINA
Cherry Point Homeschoolers
This is a group inviting any homeschooling parents, or those looking to homeschool, in the Cherry Point, NC and Havelock area. A group to share ideas and hopefully meet a few more military parents that homeschool.
TEXAS
Randolph Area Military Christian Home Ed
This group is for Christian military homeschool families living on or near Randolph Air Force Base, just northeast of San Antonio, TX. Here you can find details about RAMCHE activities, and resources to help you in your homeschooling endeavors.
WASHINGTON DC
Bolling Area Home Educators
An inclusive group of military homeschoolers on Bolling Air Force Base. Our group is open to all homeschooling philosophies. If you are a military family or have access to Bolling AFB and you would like information about homeschooling in our Nation's Capital, please feel free to contact us.
WYOMING
F.E. Warren Air Force Base Homeschool Group
We are a group of military families that homeschool their children. "Military Family" includes, active, reserves, guard, and retire. Basically if you have a military ID and homeschool, come join us.
Germany-Based
Heidelberg Homeschooling Group
The express intent of this group is to support homeschool families; therefore, membership is open to families of all faiths upon the understanding that Christian principles govern this organization.
Kaiserslautern Inclusive Home School Support
KIHSS is an inclusive but secular (non-religious) home school support group serving the Kaiserslautern, Germany area. We are a member-led, volunteer driven group. We welcome anyone in the KMC who is interested in homeschooling, regardless of religion, rank, homeschool style, or parenting style.
Kaiserslautern Military Community
Support Group meetings (2008-2009 school year) are held monthly (Sep - May) on the second Tuesday, from 6:30 - 9pm, Faith Baptist Church, Einsiedlerhof, about 10 min. from the Ramstein AB east gate. Yahoo Group.
Military Associated Stuttgart Homeschoolers
A community of individuals committed to providing the best opportunities for our children, without ideological, theological, or political bias. We have no membership requirements, and ask only that individuals abide by the Golden Rule.
Vilseck and Grafenwoehr Homeschoolers
A forum for homeschoolers living in the USAG-Grafenwoehr American Military Communities. We are located in Bavaria, Germany in the cities of Vilseck and Grafenwoehr.
Japan-Based
Christian Homeschoolers
We are homeschoolers in the US military currently living overseas in Japan. Please take time to read about us, what we believe, and the wealth of special resources our site has to offer on Christianity, homeschooling and more.
Misawa Home Educators
This group consists of local members who work closely together to provide the best homeschooling experience at Misawa Air Base, Japan.
Okinawa Military Homeschoolers
This group is open to any homeschooler at any base on Okinawa. We also welcome any homeschooler who will be arriving to the island in the near future.
Making the Grade: Everything Your Kindergartener Needs to Know
by Daniel A. Van Beek
These titles for Gr. K-6 will help parents give their children a smart start and keep them up to speed. .
