First Steps…
Once an ideafamilies e-mail address is created for you, you will be able to use that username and password to access all of the forms, extensive vendor list, curriculum guidelines and everything else you need to set up your homeschooling year. In the meantime, here are some limited tools to help you get started. Of course, your Contact Teacher and Field Rep are eager to provide any help that you need!
Choices - At IDEA we believe that you know your child best. We are here to help you with the educational end of things, but you know what makes your child tick better than we ever will! We partner with you as you make the educational decisions that are best for your child. We have working relationships with over 300 companies that supply curricular materials to homeschoolers. We provide as much help and support as you need in making decisions about what materials to order and what teaching methods to use, but the education of each and every child in IDEA is totally individualized. Here are some of the choices available in IDEA:
- Whether to purchase a curriculum package (with the main academic subjects all covered) or mix-and-match materials from different vendors for different subjects.
- Whether to order complete courses with answer keys and/or outside grading, or to create your own course using the standards and a variety of materials that you select yourself.
- Whether to include some outside instruction in an area of interest for your child or not.
- Whether to use a curriculum based on textbooks, literature ("living books"), hands-on, or a mixture of these.
- How much to use free, online targeted instruction ("Following the Leaders") to identify and address any "learning gaps" in reading, language arts, and math.
- Whether to participate in workshops, field trips, and other learning opportunities with other IDEA families.
Field Rep - One of the things that makes IDEA unique is the prominent role of Field Reps, caring women who have experience homeschooling their own children. Field Reps introduce you to the program and help you to learn about homeschooling, if this is new to you. By the time you are enrolled in IDEA, you will have most likely already at least talked with your Field Rep on the phone, if not met her in person. As soon as your enrollment is complete, she will start sending you e-mail notices regarding IDEA events and activities, and will invite you to an Orientation where you will receive an IDEA Parent Handbook and have detailed answers to all your questions.
Certified Teacher - Your family will be assigned to a contact teacher. You can meet with this person for help in setting your goals for the year and deciding what to order. Most of our teachers have years of experience working with homeschoolers, and some also have personal experience with homeschooling their own children.
Access - Shortly after enrollment, an ideafamilies e-mail address will be created for you. This enables us to add you to listserv (e-mail lists) and enables you to access the "members" section of our website. That section of the website contains the full vendor list, curricular guidelines, all IDEA forms, electronic handbooks, a section devoted to nurturing the homeschooling lifestyle, and more.
Allotments/Ordering/Equipment - At the start of the fiscal year on July 1st (or as soon as your enrollment is complete, if it is after that), your allotment will be available and you may begin ordering right away. Equipment is ordered at the same time, and you are issued a computer and multi-function printer/fax/copier/scanner as soon as they arrive in our offices.
Forms
Individual Learning Plans are due for each of your enrolled students on the third Friday in September. (Should you enroll later than this, a grace period will be extended.) All forms will be accessible to you once you have your password, and your Contact Teacher or Field Rep can send you any forms you need or you can pick them up in your local IDEA office. However, in the meantime, you may wish to get started ordering or writing your ILPs. Here are links to these forms so that you can get started right away:
K-8 ILP 
High School ILP
Order Form 
Abridged Vendor List
The comprehensive IDEA vendor list contains details about over 300 vendors, including contact info, a short description, and category groupings, as well as a complete alphabetical listing. To help you get started "shopping" (especially if you are unfamiliar with homeschool curriculum vendors), click here for a short list of some vendors to start with.
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