Meet the SC TOP Director: Kim Andrysczyk

I am a veteran homeschooler with 25+ years of experience. I have been an accountability director since 2010. I have utilized all three accountability options at various times in my family’s homeschool journey, and I believe third option accountability gives parents the most flexibility.

I believe in school choices, and I support the diverse choices our members make for their children for public, private and home education. You have to do what works for each child. Some members homeschool some of their children while having others enrolled in public school, like I did. Some families homeschool for a while, while others are in for the long haul.

SC TOP respects the unique perspectives, backgrounds, and identities of all people, embracing diversity as a cornerstone of our organization. SC TOP supports the parent’s responsibility to educate their children and the parent’s right to choose the methods that suit their family best.

I believe my job is to encourage you through the tough times and inspire you to strive for excellence. Protecting homeschool freedom continues to be central to SC TOP’s work as well. We are accountable to our children to provide a quality education that will open the doors of opportunity and put them on a path to success. 

My accountability association has been able to stay compliant each year with SC Department of Education, built rapport among third option directors, established compliance with the Commission on Higher Education (CHE), secured Palmetto Fellows, LIFE and HOPE scholarships for grads, assisted student applications for Governor’s School, and qualified for NCAA eligibility. I have also assisted members who faced court proceedings and DSS investigations.

I’m happy to offer encouragement, advice, or information whenever you need.
I’m here to help you!

The post Meet the Director first appeared on SC Third Option Participants.

SC TOP stands for South Carolina Third Option Participants
(Previously called REACH the TOP–RTT from 2002-2018)

However, third option doesn’t mean you have to figure it all on your own. We encourage our members to get involved in local support and meet-ups. SC TOP has a Facebook group for our members to support each other. We value the local connections in real life. We have lots of members in the Midlands/Greater Columbia area for you to meet. But, we can assist you finding or starting a support group elsewhere in the state, too.

Membership fees vary for each family
depending on if you’re new, lapsed or continuing membership.
Plus, fees for each student under your account
depending on the age/grade level.
K5-8th grade (no transcript assistance), 9th-10th high school or 11th-12th high school.
Early registration discounts may apply for renewing/continuing members only.

• SC TOP verifies membership records and 90-day/180-day compliance forms.
• SC TOP offers quick and easy online electronic registration and payment (via PayPal or credit/debit card). Alternative payment arrangements upon request.
• SC TOP keeps a copy of high school GPA and transcript on file.
• SC TOP prepares a class ranking report for 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades by June 15th each year.
• SC TOP has a school code for test scores from College Board tests.
• SC TOP offers a local branch of the Homeschool Honor Society
• SC TOP provides letters for dual credits approval, DMV, Governor’s School, & scholarship programs.
• SC TOP can issue a withdrawal letter for students transitioning from public school programs.
• SC TOP includes low-cost official transcript preparation and tutorials.
• SC TOP provides End of the Year program, including graduation, diploma certificates, and senior gift.
• SC TOP’s  director provides a prompt response and encouragement for member assistance.
• SC TOP maintains a complete handbook and ranking policy online.

Meet the SC TOP Director:

The post What is SC TOP? first appeared on SC Third Option Participants.

How do I legally comply with homeschool laws in South Carolina?
South Carolina has 3 options for legally homeschooling your child. Choose one of the accountability options.

1. School district
2. SCAIHS (South Carolina Association of Independent Homeschools)
3. Other Accountability Association maintained by parents to hold one another accountable (SC TOP is one of these)

Please note that you must be covered by a legal accountability group within 10 days of the beginning of school in your school district or your children will be considered truant. If you’re withdrawing a student from school mid-year, you will need to obtain a membership letter. SC TOP can provide this letter and also issue a withdrawal letter to inform school officials so you will be released from compulsory attendance requirements.

What is a homeschool accountability association?
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. SC TOP offers affordable accountability with services and support too!

Why should I join a third option group?
The law requires parents in any options to maintain these minimum records:

• 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.
• You must keep records of lesson plans or a journal, progress assessments or grades, attendance, and a portfolio of student work.

Third option accountability groups usually have less paperwork to demonstrate the parent’s compliance. You have maximum freedom to choose curriculum and scheduling with minimum paperwork. Minimal requirements do not mean minimal assistance. SC TOP can help your student achieve maximum potential.

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, which includes attendance records and individualized documentation of the student’s progress in each of the required academic areas.

The format for these records is up to you, and examples 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 these forms to verify you’re maintaining the required records:

• a 90-day progress report by January 5th of the school year, and a
• 180-day report by June 5th of the school year.
• High school students must also submit grades/credits due June 5th, so we can format this important document and calculate the SC Uniform Grade Scale GPA. Click here to submit your request for transcript assistance.

Do I have to test my child?
Standardized testing is not required by 3rd Option Law, nor SC TOP policies. However, parents may choose when to test…and if to test. Testing is only required by state law if you homeschool through the school board of the district in which you reside (see Section 59-65-40). Other association policies may also require or recommend standardized testing program.
Click here for more information about standardized testing

What is included in SC TOP membership? Do you offer in-person activities for members?
SC TOP membership is primarily for holding the the parent-educator accountable for the record-keeping requirements of the law. Membership is also statewide, so we offer all our forms and services online. We do not bundle the in-person social/educational opportunities with our membership options. Read more here about what is included/not included with SC TOP membership

Additional Resources
Click HERE

The post Homeschool Laws and SC TOP Policies first appeared on SC Third Option Participants.

What is Included with SC TOP Membership?

When you homeschool, you (the parent) are responsible to pick/choose the learning materials and activities. You pick/choose the learning materials and activities. You set the pace and schedule of the assignments. The law is somewhat specific about the record-keeping you have to do in order to keep track of the student’s progress.

Someone is supposed to verify that your doing the record-keeping requirements. That’s what SC TOP does–we hold you accountable to those record-keeping requirements. But, we also believe that the records are really common sense stuff that you would want to do, even if the law didn’t say so.

SC TOP is also here to encourage you whenever you feel like you’re stuck and not making progress. We’re your ally to walk with you thru the ups and downs. We celebrate the successes and commiserate the difficulties.

SC TOP Membership includes: 

• Annual membership documents provided in digital format. Printable Certificate and Wallet Card, Withdrawal Notice/Records Request to previous school.
• Director is available by email and FB messenger to answer general questions about homeschooling law or SC TOP policies. Limited phone/text responses.
• Online forms to verify you’re doing the record-keeping requirements: due Jan 5. and June 5.
• Pre-recorded orientation workshops for new members/new homeschoolers, plus blog articles for most anywhere you are on your homeschooling journey.
• Members only message board on Facebook.
• Email newsletter with important reminders and offers.
• Monthly group workshops live via zoom for educators (replay available)
• High school transcript assistance, DMV letter, and other official documents as needed
• Encouragement and advice from SC TOP Director and other members

Optional Add-on Services: 

• Senior Graduation Program
• Kindergarten Graduation and Milestone Awards Program
• Honor Society
• Personal Consultations for Course of Study advisement, via phone or zoom.

SC TOP does not provide the following: 

• Curriculum: The parent is responsible to pick/choose the learning materials and activities for the student. These resources may change from year-to-year or even within a school year. SC TOP does not include these materials with the membership.
  We can provide resources to help the parent-educator locate materials.  Curriculum Ideas by subject and Quick Start/Budget-Friendly Ideas
• Daily assignments: The parent is responsible to set the pace and schedule of the learning activities. SC TOP does not include daily interactions and does not have access to learning portals.
• Grading/Evaluating assignments: The parent is responsible to assess the student’s progress. What’s working and what’s not working–in order to make adjustments. SC TOP is not directly involved in grading assignments and does not have access to learning portals.
• In-person activities: SC TOP membership is open statewide. So geographically, we cannot offer in person social or educational activities. Also, given the diversity of backgrounds and personalized goals of homeschooling, it would be very difficult to meet the expectations of all our members.
  Parents are not bound to our specific “bundle” of opportunities. There’s flexibility in choosing the activities and materials that work for you and your students. We can provide resources to help parent-educator locate social and educational opportunities.
• 24/7 Answering Service: The director is not able to take phone calls. Everything is not as urgent as it seems. In order to prioritize the requests and process in the order they were received, we do not have any staff who can answer your call. Please leave a message or text, if it’s urgent.

Additional Resources 

The post What’s Included with SC TOP Membership? first appeared on SC Third Option Participants.