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Home Schooling/Questions Answered by Expert Mae Kowalke

SubjectDate Asked
Home Schooling10/25/2011
  Q: How many children were home schooled in 1991-2007?
  A: Damon. First, my apologies for taking a while to get back to you. I work full time and had a few ...
reading9/27/2011
  Q: she is still finding it hard to read is there any online courses she can do as she thinks she is ...
  A: Sam. Thanks for your question and my apologies for taking a few days to get back to you—I work full ...
Online schooling7/22/2011
  Q: I'm sixteen years old and got kicked out of high school I am now trying to finish high school from a ...
  A: Brittany. Wow, it sounds like you are going through a transition in your life right now. I have to ...
homeschooling at a late age6/23/2011
  Q: I have a sister in law who has always talked about homeschooling her children for years. She never ...
  A: Deb. Thanks for your question. It sounds like there are some very strong emotions at work here, ...
where to take eoc tests3/18/2011
  Q: We live about 30 minutes outside of Kansas City. I have homeschooled my son 1st grade through 9th. ...
  A: Kathy, I suggest you check with your local community college; they may offer ACT testing, or know ...
Unschooling3/14/2011
  Q: What exactly is unschooling? I am 24 years old and I know two teenage boys in my church whose ...
  A: Ann. Thanks for your question. Sorry I took several days to answer… I work full time and typically ...
Free Online Math Tutoring7/12/2010
  Q: My son is on the 10th grade and have difficulty with Math. I am not very educated myself then I am ...
  A: Hector. I'm sorry for my slow response; I work full time and often don't have time to answer ...
making it work for her...5/6/2010
  Q: OK, so am going to be homeschooling my 11 year old niece here come May/June because she is suppose ...
  A: Nikkie. Thanks for your question, and I'm sorry I took so long to answer. It's been a busy few weeks ...
im homeschooled and i want to go to real school..?2/7/2010
  Q: I'm a 14 year old girl in the 9th grade. I'm homeschooled and i've never been to real school in my ...
  A: Stacy. I think you're really asking several questions, and I'll address them one at a time. First, ...
home school vs. HS accreditation2/3/2010
  Q: WHAT is the difference for graduating from home school verses the high school?
  A: Andy. That question is harder to answer than you might think. In the simplest sense, there need ...
Keystone National High School1/3/2010
  Q: My son is a junior in high school. He is very smart yet he has difficulties with his handwriting. ...
  A: Rachel. Thanks for your question. Here are a few ideas I have. 1. Is buying your son a computer an ...
US citizen abroad in high school12/29/2009
  Q: my husband and i are US citizens work in Saudi Arabia since the mid 80's, we have twin girls 16 ...
  A: Lubna. Thanks for your question. I have to admit, I'm a bit out of touch about current trends in ...
Questions about Calgary, Alberta homeschooling;11/6/2009
  Q: I am 14 years old in Grade 9. I am thinking about starting online school and my mother thinks its a ...
  A: Jessica. Yes, you certainly can start homeschooling anytime. Starting at the start of a new semester ...
Unschooling?10/25/2009
  Q: I love the idea of unschooling, but my parents are really busy and don't have time to it. Are there ...
  A: Rose. The short answer to your question is that yes, if you're really serious about unschooling, you ...
HS out of our country9/22/2009
  Q: My family lives in Australia and I have been homeschooling my son for about 6 months and he will be ...
  A: My family lives in Australia and I have been homeschooling my son for about 6 months and he will be ...
Non-Religious Curricula5/28/2009
  Q: Do you have recommendations for a 4th grade secular curriculum? My child's weakest areas are in ...
  A: Nancy. First of all, I’d like to apologize for taking so long to respond to your question. It’s been ...
Homeschooling by grandparents.2/16/2009
  Q: In Florida, can a grandparent home school their grandchild, or must it be the child's parent?
  A: Robert. I’m actually not familiar with homeschooling regulations in Florida, so I’m going to suggest ...
Home/unschooling Option in High School2/10/2009
  Q: I am currently a 10th grader, and am looking into the idea of either homeschooling myself or ...
  A: First of all, thanks for your question. You sound like a very intelligent, self-determined ...
homeschooling1/19/2009
  Q: ok i have a 12 yr old boy and a 14 yr old girl that i would like to homeschool online but know if ...
  A: Michelle. Thanks for your question. You certainly can homeschool your children, and there a many ...
Home schooling Special needs/ testing10/23/2008
  Q: My husband and I homeschool our 11 year old special needs son. This year the Denver Public School ...
  A: Sharron. Sorry for taking a while to answer your question; work has kept me very busy lately. I am ...
homeschooling9/16/2008
  Q: becaus i don't want to ruin my life! and will i be able to go to a good college. thank you and i ...
  A: Mohamad. First of all, I’m sorry I took so long to answer your question. I’ve just been busy ...
Homeschooling and High school8/10/2008
  Q: My parents and I are considering homeschooling as an option for my high school education. I'd love ...
  A: Lea. Wow, that’s a big question! I’m always a bit hesitant to speak “for homeschooling” when people ...
Home Schooling Disaster7/27/2008
  Q: Okay so, My mom took me out of public school 3 years ago to homeschool me. I thought the idea was ...
  A: First of all, Isabella, I feel your frustration--when people in the same family have differing views ...
starting homeschool mid year2/20/2008
  Q: Can you tell me if I can withdraw my 6th grader from school now and begin homeschooling. His school ...
  A: Yes, you definitely have the right to remove your son from public school even mid-year. The process ...
Husband possibly to homeschool our son12/16/2007
  Q: I work full time - my husband does not. We have struggled the last few years with what to do when ...
  A: Marie. Thanks for your question. The great thing about homeschooling is that it's flexible, so you ...
Homeschooling on-line11/21/2007
  Q: I am asking two questions: 1- My wife speaks and reads very little english (she is learning). We ...
  A: Alex. Thanks for your questions. Yes, there are lots of resources online about homeschooling and ...
Language Arts Cirriculum11/4/2007
  Q: I have two children, Amanda(13 yrs and eqvl. of 8th grade) and alyssa (9 yrs and eqvl. of 3rd ...
  A: Denise. Thanks for your question. Unfortunately, your question goes outside my area of expertise. I ...
hey i am in an outreach program and need help10/20/2007
  Q: hey my name is amber i am a 17yr old student attending an outreach program in Castor Alberta. i am ...
  A: Amber. Dealing with stress is kind of a personal thing (what works for one person may not work for ...
Home Schooling 3rd & 4th grade10/5/2007
  Q: My wife who graduated from high school is very nervous about her abilities to teach. She took some ...
  A: Scott. Thanks for your question. I'll do my best to answer, but do know I'm more familiar with the ...
home schooling10/1/2007
  Q: I have two children ages 4 and 2 1/2 . i plan on sending them to school because home schooling ...
  A: Eric. First of all, kudos to you for taking such a strong interest in the education of your ...
Going CRAZY!!9/27/2007
  Q: I have 3 children; 3 years, 6 years and 10. My 3 year old goes to preschool at our church three ...
  A: Anae. First of all, my apologies for taking so long to respond to your question--it's been a busy ...
I want to homeschool but...9/6/2007
  Q: I want to homeschool so I asked my dad and my mom. My mom said that's OK but my dad said no. I want ...
  A: Saya. Thanks for your question. You don't say how old you are, where you live or what your dad's ...
I want to but can't7/6/2007
  Q: I'm twelve yrs. old and I like public school but not that much. I mean I feel (mostly opinion) that ...
  A: Taylor. Thanks for your question. I have to admit, though, I'm a bit confused. Are you wanting to ...
costs of homeschooling3/17/2007
  Q: I'm a freshman and i cant stand going to school. It feels like a giant waste of my time and i would ...
  A: First of all, kudos to you for wanting to take charge of your own education. Independent study often ...
registration3/15/2007
  Q: I need to know how I can get my son enrolled in homeschooling.
  A: Every state in the U.S. has its own laws regarding homeschooling. To find out the basic structure of ...
English improvement1/22/2007
  Q: Can you tell me what is a good thing to do or use to get better in English gramer and spelling for ...
  A: Renee. First of all, I'm sorry it took me so long to answer your question. I had a busy week, and ...
Homeschooling1/10/2007
  Q: I'm a freshman in High School, and i don't like going to school. I just feel that it wastes too much ...
  A: First of all, I'm sorry I took so long to respond to your question. I had a busy week, and just ...
Diploma11/21/2006
  Q: Is there any sort of law or anything that could force the school district that I live in to give me ...
  A: Laws and policies vary widely from state to state, and district to district. It's possible that ...
Homeschool Young Children11/9/2006
  Q: I have a six year old who started first grade in September. He seems to have problems focusing in ...
  A: First of all, I want to apologize for taking so long to answer your question. Life of late got the ...
homeschool9/26/2006
  Q: Mae. How is the progress and success of homeschooling "measured"? Our issue is that the child's ...
  A: Janice. Thanks for your question. You don't say your role in all this, but I'm guessing you are a ...
college8/21/2006
  Q: I am considering homeschooling my 5 children. My husband and I want them to go to college later on. ...
  A: I must apologize that I never answered your question in August when you posted it. Somehow it seems ...
Help with Reading Comprehension.8/19/2006
  Q: My fiancee, Kellie, has a 16 year old son, Kent, from a previous marriage who was living with ...
  A: David. Thanks for your question. To start off with, I’d like to commend you and Kellie for taking ...
Home schooling?3/8/2006
  Q: My name is Nate and I'm a resident of Johnson City, Tennessee. I'm a college student at a local ...
  A: Sounds like you're gearing up for a lively debate! I'm working full-time now, so my weekends are ...
Online HIgh School Programs1/26/2006
  Q: I currently have a daughter in 10th grade. She has a 3.99GPA and is taking all honor classes, but ...
  A: Tina, My apologies for taking a couple days to answer your question. I just started a new job, and ...
MEANING OF A WORD1/3/2006
  Q: I am looking for the meaning of a word and hope that you will be able to help me. I have recently ...
  A: Jesse, My area of expertise is homeschoooling, not the meaning of words. Please re-post your ...
homeschooling9/21/2005
  Q: my mother-in-law would like to either homeschool her grandson herself or find someone in her area ...
  A: Nina, Hi, and thanks for your question. I understand your frustration at not being able to find ...
Homeschooling questions9/19/2005
  Q: I have a 10 year old son and he is in 6th grade. We live in Florida and also in New York City. We ...
  A: and thanks for your question. I'm sorry I did not respond more promptly; it's been a busy few days ...
A Homeschooler's Perspective5/17/2005
  Q: I'm in 10th grade and I am doing a paper on homeschooling that I will have to turn into a persuasive ...
  A: Sam. I'd be happy to answer whatever questions you might have. However, at the moment I'm on the ...
Where can i find a homeschooling...4/13/2005
  Q: Where can i find a homeschooling center in L.A.?
  A: Sandra, For homeschooling support groups and related resources in California, check out the lists ...
Homeschooling4/10/2005
  Q: my name is Jordan Missimer and i am doing an interview on home schooling, and I had some questions ...
  A: Jordan, I am happy to answer your queastions. Before I do so, however, I'd like to know what the ...
From Classical to Unschooling?4/10/2005
  Q: First let me say thank you for your time. My husband and I decided upon the Classical Curriculum as ...
  A: Heather, First of all, let me congratulate you on being so involved in your daughter's education, ...
Question about Parents who homeschool2/15/2005
  Q: Ms. Kowalke, I'm a parent of a 3 year old and a college student writing a paper about pros and cons ...
  A: Rob. Thanks for your question. You are right in observing that, like anything else, homeschooling ...
Learning11/8/2004
  Q: can u recommend some online websites or software for education on school subjects. Im a 14 teen year ...
  A: Ernest, I am not certain I understand what you are looking for. Are you currently homeschooling? ...
i need help10/26/2004
  Q: Its so hard for me to go to school and take care of my son too and i was wanting to take class ...
  A: First of all, give yourself a pat on the back for thinking outside the box to find a way to finish ...
reading10/1/2004
  Q: How does one use unschooling to teach reading? Candy
  A: Candy, Boy that sounds like a simple question, but it really is not. First of all, I'm not sure ...
Team Sports Participation8/20/2004
  Q: Is my daughter, an 8th grader this year, allowed to participate in the public middle school ...
  A: Aileen. The answer to your question is, it depends. Many public schools across the country now have ...
I am an Egyptian living in...8/17/2004
  Q: I am an Egyptian living in Egypt where the educational system is not good. Lots of parents opt to ...
  A: Heidi. Thanks for your question. My apologies for the slow response--it's been a busy few days for ...
time8/15/2004
  Q: this is my first year to home school my eleven year old daughter. the school she attended started ...
  A: Jin. Thanks for your question, and congratulations on the start of your homeschooling journey. A ...
HOME SCHOOLING8/6/2004
  Q: I LIVE IN PA AND I AM INTERESTED IN TAKING SOME COLLEGE CALSSES AT HOME. I KNOW THERE ARE SCHOOLS ...
  A: Dana Sorry for the delay in my answer--it's been a busy few days for me! I can offer you some basic ...
maeshell website on unschooling5/26/2004
  Q: I can't find the link to the unschooling site, could you give me the link? what are some other ...
  A: I'm not exactly sure which link you are referring to. However, my unschooling pages can now be found ...
finishing homeschooling5/12/2004
  Q: I am 16 and in the 11th grade. I have homeschooled for 3 years and I was wondering, when I am ...
  A: Unfortunately, I can't really help you with your question. I did not take the SAT, and am only ...
Homeschool in CT4/7/2004
  Q: A lot of the questions that have been asked are about others states that I don't even live near! Do ...
  A: First, you deserve accolades for recognizing your son's needs, and anticipating how to meet them in ...
ADHD/ Need Help2/20/2004
  Q: I have many questions about home schooling but will give a brief history and limit to a few ...
  A: It sounds like you are going through a challenging time. Before I launch into my answer, I'd like to ...
home schooling12/22/2003
  Q: I am very concerned because my child is two, and the more I hear about what is going on in the ...
  A: Your concerns about public school are perfectly understandable. When my husband and I-—both grown ...

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Mae Kowalke

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Expertise

I can answer pretty much any question about homeschooling, particularly in relation to the unschooling method. I am happy to answer questions from parents who are homeschooling their children or kids/teens who are being educated at home. I can also offer perspective on life after homeschooling, and what it`s like to be a grown homechooler in college and the workplace.

Experience

I am a grown homeschooler. My three younger sisters and I were educated at home from K-12. We were unschoolers, so my experience lies primarily in that area of homeschooling.

Publications
Grown Without Schooling Magazine
Home Education Magazine
The Teenage Liberation Handbook
The Homeschooling Book of Answers

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