What is NHERI?

NHERI is the National Home Education Research Institute. NHERI conducts and collects research about homeschooling and publishes the research journal called the Home School Researcher. The institute has hundreds of research works documented and catalogued on homeschooling, many of which were done by NHERI. Simply put, NHERI specializes in homeschool research.

NHERI exists to do the following things:

• To research those who teach their children at home;
• To publish the research journal called the Home School Researcher, which chronicles the current research being done about homeschooling;
• To speak to the media, legislators, and national organizations about the homeschooling movement, showing factual research about those who teach their children at home;
• To serve as conference speakers and teachers for groups interested in homeschooling; and
• To work with legislators on Capitol Hill, and with state/local legislators, on issues related to parental rights, the freedom we have to teach our children at home, and homeschoolers coordinating with local school officials.
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I. INTRODUCTION

Teaching your child with special needs is a privilege—but it is also hard. It requires from the parents much sacrifice, patience, and unconditional love.

We cannot forget to consider what the child with special needs experiences as well. Living with a handicap such as blindness, cerebral palsy, a speech impediment, autism, retardation, a disease, or one of many types of learning disabilities is difficult. It is a daily struggle emotionally, mentally, and many times physically. The child’s self-esteem is constantly put to the test. Some handicaps or learning disabilities can be overcome with consistent and focused effort. Other handicaps can only be managed and may never go away.

Living with multiple sclerosis these last few years has helped me appreciate the struggles of a physically handicapped person. Every day it is hard for me to simply walk, put my socks on, or stay in 80-degree weather for any length of time. The emotional drain is intense. The need to think and plan for logistics to achieve normal movement is a heavy burden. The quality of life from a human perspective is diminished. Hiking in the woods or...

your first question will probably be, "Is homeschooling for me?"

Taking the first step into home educating your children can be very intimidating. No doubt, you will want to do as much research as you can before you take that step. There are many fine articles in the "Resources" section of this website that will help you to make an intelligent decision. 

Your first question will probably be something like, "Is homeschooling for me?" The exercise below will help you determine if home education is for you and, if so, help you create a vision for your homeschool adventure.

• Answer the following questions on paper.

• Discuss your individual answers as a couple.

• Read through MÂCHÉ's responses.

We suggest both you and your spouse complete a self evaluation separately and then discuss your answers together.

Questions to Consider in your self evaluation

• Why are you considering...

Have you heard about home education and want to know more about this educational choice for your children?  Do you want to know what is involved before you commit to this new lifestyle of learning?  If so, this workshop will give you a foundational understanding of home education in Minnesota and how it relates to you.

Find answers to important homeschooling questions:

• What are the legal requirements for a parent to homeschool?

• What do I need to get started?

• Am I qualified to educate my children?

• What about the socialization of my children?

• Where do I find curriculum?

• How do I choose curriculum?

• How do I know it's the right choice for me?

• What are the advantages of homeschooling my children?

• How much does homeschooling cost—financially and in other ways?

• What if my children are older and in high school?

• How is home education different from other education choices?

What is home education?

MÂCHÉ believes the traditional family is the foundation of society and that parents have the God-given responsibility to determine the proper education for their children. Home education takes place when children are primarily taught and educated under the authority of their own parents in their own home. We believe that parents, not government, should determine the curriculum and standards for their own children. MÂCHÉ believes that home education fulfills its highest calling when parents educate their own children according to Christ-centered, Biblical principles.

What are the advantages of home education?

• Learning together builds strong family relationships. Home education is a lifestyle, not a project.

• Parents have greater opportunity for character training with their children.

• Parents are able to choose the worldview through which they will teach their children.

• Parents are able to tailor a curriculum...