Homeschool Support Group Definitions

Listings on the Support Group pages of the AFHE web site are homeschool groups that exist for the specific purpose of supporting parents teaching their children at home.  Groups on this list include the following categories:

INDEPENDENT SUPPORT GROUP

An Independent Support Group (ISG) is an association of volunteers organized and operated by independent homeschoolers for the purpose of assisting and encouraging each other as well as those pursuing the choice of homeschooling for the education of their children.

The ISG is driven by some form of leadership, depending upon group consensus. Group policies, practices and procedures may or may not be written in the form of by-laws, depending upon the size, structure and functions of the group.

The ISG holds regular meetings, whether they are park days or other types.

An Independent Support Group is not a business. Therefore, it does not exist to produce goods or services for sale to those outside their group as a regular practice (i.e. magazine subscriptions, books, classes, I.D. cards, testing services, advertising services). Single-event fundraising is an exception.

An ISG is not operated by a for-profit business, nor is it operated by or affiliated with a government agency or public or private school. An ISG does not function as a substitute for the parent-teacher role or responsibility in any of the subject areas assigned by law (reading, grammar, math, science and social studies). In other words, an ISG stops being an ISG when it attempts to be a school.

HOMESCHOOL CLUB OR ASSOCIATION

A Homeschool Club or Association is a group that is run by homeschoolers and/or caters specifically to homeschoolers as it relates to a specific subject.

Homeschool Clubs or Associations are similar to ISGs in that they support homeschooling families, they meet regularly and they are comprised of homeschoolers. The difference is that a Homeschool Club or Association focuses on a specific area of study, exploration or recreation while an ISG is geared more toward all aspects of homeschooling. Sporting organizations would fall into the category of Homeschool Club or Association as would any other group whose focus is on one area in particular (i.e. Chess Club, Astronomy Club, 4-H).

There may be similar clubs operating within an Independent Support Group. These clubs may be listed separately under the category of Homeschool Club or Association if they are open to all homeschoolers and not limited only to members of that particular ISG.

HOMESCHOOL CO-OP

A Homeschool Co-op, also called a "cottage school" in some states, is a group of private homeschooling families that facilitate group academic or extra-curricular teaching.  A homeschool co-op should be a supplement to the family homeschool and not a replacement for parent-led teaching of core subjects in the home, especially for the primary grades.  A homeschool co-op is not a business, and is a collaboration of effort between homeschooling families to enjoy a group experience rather than the product of one individual's industry.   Size, frequency of meeting, cost, subject matter, and choice of instructor all combine to influence the group's nature as either a co-op or something more like a private school.

HOMESCHOOL E-MAIL NETWORK

A Homeschool E-mail Network is an internet-based group run by an individual or group that is geared specifically for homeschoolers. A Homeschool E-mail Network is not itself a for-profit business nor run by a for-profit business. An E-mail Network may be established by an individual or group for the benefit of other homeschoolers utilizing a particular curriculum, resource, method of teaching, philosophy or that share some other commonality.

When an e-mail loop or newsletter is offered to all homeschoolers, whether in a particular geographical area or statewide, it is considered a Homeschool E-mail Network.

Independent Support Groups may offer an e-mail loop or newsletter to their members, but this would be considered a benefit of membership in that particular ISG and rather than an E-mail Network.

HOMESCHOOL PARK DAY

A Homeschool Park Day is a group that meets regularly at a park with the purpose of providing an opportunity for homeschoolers to be encouraged and edified and to fellowship with one another.

If a park day is only open to the members of a specific ISG or other group, then it would be a benefit of membership in that group, but not categorized as a Homeschool Park Day for this list .

HOMESCHOOL RESOURCE CENTER

A Homeschool Resource Center is a privately funded organization which offers services exclusively to the homeschool community. These services may include book and teaching material loans, equipment rentals, acting as a clearinghouse for private in-home tutorial services, space rentals and counseling. Unlike ISG's these organizations may be run by non-homeschooling individuals and/or be focused on distributing products and services to the homeschool community at large. A Homeschool Resource Center may operate as either a for-profit business or a non-profit corporation.

A Homeschool Resource Center is supportive of parent-led education and functions as separate "executors" of the parent's educational goals. Should an organization, through its leadership or programs, prescribe rather than simply support the parent's educational goals, it is functioning more as a school than a resource center.

Classes offered would not interfere with the requirements of A.R.S. 15-802. See our "Definition of a Homeschooler".

Use of a Homeschool Resource Center should not obligate homeschoolers to state or federal regulations applicable to public or private schools because of their participation in the Resource Center's programs.