By By Penny Randall / staff writer
Aug. 9, 2002
The state of Mississippi is one of many states that have few requirements when it comes to home-schooling children.
The second step is to fill out a home-school registration card with Rowland's office by Sept. 15 of that school year.
If the child has always been home-schooled, then parents just register at the juvenile office each year.
In his three years as an attendance officer, Rowland has noticed an increase in the number of home-schooled students.
In 2001, 15,260 students were enrolled in Lauderdale County and Meridian, which includes public, private and parochial schools. The same year, the office had 286 children registered as home-schoolers.
Rowland believes the increase in home-schooling can be attributed to many factors.
Rowland also stresses to parents that they are assuming the responsibilities of teacher, counselor and principal for their child.
Susie Johnson, the mother of three home-schoolers, thinks Mississippi's law is sufficient.