The Foreign Service Journal, December 2012

68 DECEMBER 2012 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT but does not formally instruct the child as in the traditional school model. A child might take classes if interested in a par- ticular subject, but the family recognizes that learning happens in any situation that the child might encounter. There are also many points in between the very structured approach and unschooling, so a number of Foreign Service homeschoolers describe them- selves as having an eclectic educational style. These families often agree with unschoolers that the everyday experi- ences of life, particularly those specific to their overseas postings, provide a rich and varied environment for learning, but supplement the child’s experiential learn- ing with some formal studies or guided learning sessions in specific areas. All that said, most homeschoolers mix and match learning styles and experi- ences to some degree, using a “take what suits us and leave the rest” approach to guide their educational philosophy. The Nuts and Bolts of Homeschooling The Education Allowance. Under the guidelines outlined in the Department of State’s Standardized Regulations (Chap- ter 270), homeschooling parents may be reimbursed for educational expenses up to $5,700 per year for each child in grades K-8, and up to $7,700 per year for children in grades 9-12. The amount reimbursed cannot exceed the post’s “at post” edu- cation allowance if the school there is considered adequate, but children with special needs are allowed additional funding for home study or instruction. Many families think broadly about how to use these funds beyond tradi- tional curriculummaterials and are reimbursed for such expenses as art or There are manyWeb sites and blogs with detailed guidance on preparing transcripts and portfolios with an eye toward college applications.