HOUSTON – The concept of homeschooling is changing, and Local 2 found it's also becoming almost mainstream.
Just like other kids their age, Britlee and Rylee Kuhn are making the transition from summer to once again hitting the books. Most of their teaching comes from their mom, Michelle, at home. They also go to classes once a week with other homeschooled kids -- hundreds of them.
Michelle said, "In the Sugar Land area, we have 300 families just in our group."
If you ask why more families are choosing homeschooling, you'll hear everything from religious reasons, to protect children from food allergies, because of learning disabilities, behavior issues, safety concerns and even academics.
Dana Martin is also a homeschool mom. She said, "I graduated from a 5A high school, was 10th in my class and I have a masters degree. And there are things I'm learning from being a home-school mom."
These students go to classes once a week at a program called Classical Conversations. Their parents add to what the children learn in the program.
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Co-ops in homeschooling are also becoming more common. That's where parents get together to help teach other people's children, giving homeschoolers a chance to be with other children and learn.
Michelle Kuhn said, "What I've found to be true is that most homeschoolers are socialized just fine because of everything there is out there."
There are also sports for homeschooled kids now. The students can play team sports like football or individual activities like ballet.
For the moms who homeschool, they say the Internet has made it easier. They can connect with other families for advice, share teaching ideas, find coops and find material.
A Houston mom who homeschools her eight children blogs about how things have changed over the past 10 years. For more information, visit www.milehimama.com.
7 Questions To Ask Before Homeschooling:
You can find more questions answered by a homeschool mom at www.joyfilleddays.com.