Have you arrived at the midpoint of your homeschool year thinking it’s time to make a switch? It’s not uncommon for parents to uncover unwanted truths at this stage: Your curriculum is too rigid, it’s too loose, or it simply isn’t working. Maybe it’s lacking accompanying support or simply approaches concepts and new materials in ways that can be confusing and difficult to grasp.

If you’ve found yourself in this situation, don’t panic. Switching your child’s homeschool curriculum midyear happens more often than you might think. With the right approach, you can map a way through whatever may be blocking your child’s academic progress, even if you’re in the middle of a school year. Here’s a quick-hitting guide to walk you through your decision-making process and make a midyear switch with confidence.

1. First things first: Understand your motives.

You can’t successfully select what will solve your curriculum concerns if you’ve not clearly identified what’s problematic about your current situation. The confidence you’ll gain by defining these problems will ensure sound choices when presented with potential solutions.

Ask yourself: What circumstances have brought you to this place of change? Maybe you were looking for flexibility, but now realize you’d like to fold in enough structure to keep you on track. Or maybe you’d like materials that emphasize retention through repetition. Pinpoint where and how, specifically, your current curriculum fails? Is your current curriculum engaging your child? Do you have young readers who aren’t learning to read fluently? Are the concepts not being broken down into an approach that makes new concepts accessible?

2. Evaluate curriculum types and educational approaches.

Once you have contemplated your motives and pinpointed where change will improve your child’s learning, cross-reference these needs against the curriculum options available. Is your need immediate? If so, you might hone in on single-semester solutions. Open to switching to a new, full-year curriculum for your child’s grade? Or maybe increased support is what you’re looking for: readers, workbooks, flashcards, or digital teaching aids. If so, Abeka’s Supplemental Products might fit the bill. 

As for approach, take the time to consider how your child learns best and cross-reference those tendencies, strengths, and weaknesses against how different homeschool programs present lessons and concepts, and what educational approaches are used throughout. Abeka’s curriculum options offer a mix of video lessons, seatwork, interactive learning games, graphs, and comprehension checks with critical thinking prompts throughout its textbooks.

3. Factor reading fluency into your choices.

In light of America’s current reading crisis and the recent failures of trendier reading programs, a curriculum’s approach to reading is of heightened importance. This is especially relevant if you’re the parent of a young child who is learning to read or an older student who needs help improving his or her reading fluency.

While many U.S. school districts find themselves returning to a phonics-based approach because of its proven success rate, Abeka’s curriculum has featured its own intensive approach to phonics since its inception in 1972. Because of its success, very few changes have been made to its reading program in the ensuing decades.

Remember: Young students learn to read, so they can soon read to learn.

4. Check your state’s homeschool requirements.

Every state has homeschool laws that families must follow. Be sure to review your state’s local requirements to ensure you remain in compliance.. Take special note of state-mandated subjects and assessment requirements.

Search homeschool laws by state at the Home School Legal Defense Association’s (HSLDA) website.

5. Do it your way.

Change can be rewarding, especially if you use the transition period to improve other areas of your child’s academic life. This is your chance to design a homeschool day the way you’ve always imagined it could be.

Remember, there are many ways to shape your own unique approach. With Abeka’s flexible homeschool programs, you’ve got options. Choose from a full-year video program, full-year book kits, single-subject kits, or use Video on Demand to stream lessons when you need extra help and support.

Ready to make the switch? Explore our Switch Hub for more resources and guidance on selecting a curriculum.