Thank you for inquiring about REACH the TOP.
Below you will find the answers to frequently asked questions about our group, and homeschooling legally in South Carolina.
What is a homeschool accountability group? An accountability group is an organization operated by homeschoolers that provides a means of legal compliance for its members under SC Code of Laws 59-65-45 (SCAIHS) and 59-65-47 (all others). Each organization has its own policies and membership fees. Renewing REACH members have the option of joining REACH the TOP - the Third Option Participants. The Administrator for REACH the TOP (RTT) is Sabrina Camacho: RTT@reachgroup.org. If you decide to home school your child after the school year has begun, and you were a member of REACH in good standing during the previous year, you may join REACH and use RTT as your accountability association, provided that you can still complete the required 180 days of instruction by June 1. (You may count any days completed in school as part of that 180 day total.) For a complete list of SC accountability groups, see: http://ed.sc.gov/agency/offices/SQ/Homeschooling/hsa.html
What do I have to do if I belong to a "Third Option" group? Third option accountability groups have less structure than the other accountability options. Nonetheless, there are certain requirements, and you agree to those when you apply to RTT. These are found in the third option statute, 59-65-47, SC Code of Laws, which can be found by doing a search in "code of laws" for 59 65 47 at http://www.scstatehouse.net/. Your school year must be at least 180 days long; your curriculum must include, but not be limited to, the areas of reading, writing, math, science, and social studies, and for grades 7 and above, composition and literature; and you must keep records. The goal of RTT is to provide maximum flexibility for its members within the requirements of the law. RTT members agree that to protect themselves and the integrity of REACH The TOP, they will know the requirements of the third-option statute and work out their own individualized plans for meeting them.
What do I have to use for curriculum? RTT has no mandatory curriculum materials; you are free to choose any that satisfy your family’s personal home schooling goals, as long as you teach the required subjects and keep the required documentation. Some of our members use curriculum packages from specific publishers, others use an eclectic approach and pick and choose among many different publishers, and still others use a student-directed learning approach with library and Internet materials. RTT also does not prescribe any specific sort of record keeping. Some of our members use teacher planning books, some use notebooks for diary narratives (a different book for each child), and some use record keeping software. The members’ discussion area of the REACH website is a good place to trade ideas and suggestions about this.
What kind of records do I have to keep? The records must include a plan book, diary, or other record indicating subjects taught and activities in which the student and parent-teacher engage; a portfolio of samples of the student’s academic work; and a semiannual progress report including attendance records and individualized documentation of the student’s progress in each of the required academic areas. Examples of these can be found on the Internet or from a Homeschool Planning book or program. We do not collect these records from you; however, you must submit to RTT a 90-day progress report by January 1st of the school year, and a 180-day report by June 1st of the school year. The forms for these are located with the application.
If your student is in grades 9-12, RTT provides a transcript program which will assist you with record-keeping. Please see below under the section “What services are provided by REACH the TOP?” for a description of the records required.
Are you trying to figure out how to keep up with homeschooling records? Here are some sites that offer blank templates for record-keeping, like grade books, report cards and attendance record sheets::
Do I have to test my child? Each accountability group has its own rules about standardized testing. Testing is only required by state law if you homeschool through the school board of the district where you reside (see Section 59-65-40), although SCAIHS also has an annual testing program. RTT does not require testing. If you would like to test your children even though we do not require it, you may contact the following for information on their testing programs:
What services are provided by REACH the TOP?
Aside from providing the means of legal compliance under SC Code of Laws 59-65-47, REACH the TOP provides the following services for its members:
- REACH the TOP keeps records of your students' membership and 90-day and 180-day compliance forms on file should you have need of them at any time.
- Beginning in August 2006, REACH the TOP will keep transcripts of all high school level work your student has done using information provided by the parent/instructor.
Please do not send these to RTT.
- Beginning with the Class of 2007, REACH the TOP will facilitate a high school graduation ceremony for REACH members to be held on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend each year. ALL PARENTS of REACH Juniors and Seniors are on the Graduation Committee and the committee will establish the fees associated with the graduation ceremony on an annual basis.
How do I join REACH the TOP? You must already be a member of REACH to join REACH the TOP. In order to be eligible for membership, you must have been a REACH member in good standing during the previous school year. The cost for membership in RTT is $10-$25/year per family. RTT will provide you with a certification letter and membership card. For more information about joining REACH, see our applications.
If you are a member of REACH and would like to join REACH the TOP, please click here to find our printable application forms. You will need the password supplied with your REACH renewal acceptance letter to access the application page.
Where can I find the forms I need to file with REACH the TOP? The only forms you will file with REACH the TOP are the 90-day and 180-day completion statements. Both forms are available as page 3 of the RTT application. You may also access the individual forms here for printing:
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