Choosing an Option 3 Accountability Association

All SC homeschoolers are required to join an accountability association. Either an Option 2 or an Option 3. Most select Option 3 for the lower pricing, greater freedom to teach as you feel best suits your family and each child, and the relatively equal amount of support and services received. 

There are over 60 Option 3 accountability assocations in SC and we each have our own ‘personality’ and focus of serving. The SC Department of Education maintains an updated active list for ease of use, but most parents will query through a social media platform to see who is using which association. This often brings up the 6 associations closest to home which is lovely, but know that there are many more.

Narrow your search down to a handful that interest you by quickly reading through their websites, and then send a direct email querry to see if their response and philosophy fits your expectations and needs. All association directors and team members are or have been dedicated homeschool parents themselves, so you will receive personal engagement with deep knowledge from all assocations. The difference comes in what you are seeking combined with the team’s personal experiences.

Items that you should search on their website prior to using their contact methods for a final confirmation that your chosen association meets the needs you know of as well as understands that there will be more, and that the association will walk alongside you the whole journey from joining onward:

  • How long have you been serving homeschoolers (many directors were in leadership before beginning their association)
  • Membership fees (discounted or free affiliates?)
  • Record/Documentation requirement
  • What requirements to you have (signed faith statement, approved curriculum plan)
  • Ease of renewal (auto-renewal option)
  • How hands on or off are you
  • What is your experience in serving special needs students
  • What forms of communication do you use/prefer
  • Can you provide report cards and other documentation such as sports, DMV, and/or Dual Enrollment permissions)
  • Do you rank your high schoolers (for SC lottery money scholarship opportunities)
  • Do you calculated weighted and unweighted GPA’s
  • Do you provide transcripts and/or diplomas (not SC state diploma, but per association)
  • Do you have in-person social events, field trips, graduation ceremonies, etc
  • Do you provide curriculum guidance
  • What additional resources do you provide (guides, workbooks, social media platforms, reminders for deadlines, etc)
  • Do you provide record keeping forms, guidance, or programs (most do)
  • Do you have Member’s Only resources (most do)

What if I want to change my association? Associations are run by parents like yourself. Busy. Idealist. Kind hearted. Human. Fallible. Doing their best.

However, sometimes mistakes are made that are beyond your comfort zone or tolerance and a change is needed. I encourage you first to try to work it out with your association before jumping ship, but if you decide a change is needed, you can just switch. If you have a high school transcript, be sure to transfer that over. It is always a professional courtesy to let your association know of your change as well as the reason for change. Every director that I know is eager to improve their services and hates when they fall short. Associations are thus far strictly powered by H.I., and we hope to maintain that, so clear, timely communication is always a good thing. –Oh, Human Intelligence.