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Hey there, everyone! Welcome to our blog on home education, where we're passionate about empowering families to embrace the wonderful journey of homeschooling.
I'm Erika Di Martino, a half American, half Italian social entrepreneur in personal growth, education, and family management.
I'm thrilled to share my experiences and insights with you. I am a mom of 5 kids, ages 8 to 18, all homeschooled, the oldest all the way to University.

I strongly believe in the power of home education to transform the lives of children and families. As the co-founder of the Italian Home Education Network (www.edupar.org), I've been fortunate to be part of a pioneering movement that has popularized and normalized homeschooling in Italy, advocating for educational freedom for over a decade. We started home educating in 2010!


I've been homeschooling my five children while also supporting and advising various family and associative projects across Europe. Through my bestselling book, "Educazione Parentale in Italia," I aim to be a resource for Italian families, offering guidance on home education and its benefits. At the moment we spend half the year in Ireland and half of the year in Milan, Italy.


One of my favorite quotes on home education is from Nelson Mandela: "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." It truly encapsulates the transformative potential of homeschooling. By tailoring education to the unique needs and interests of each child, we can nurture a love for learning and foster well-rounded individuals who are prepared to make a positive impact on the world. My illustrated book for children also conveys this message, its title is "The World is my Classroom".


In 2021 I co-founded EDUlearn.it an online school that supported families during the Pandemic and is growing strong. EDUlearn is dedicated to providing flexible and personalised education to homeschoolers and offers tutoring for schooled children ages 6 to 18. Just like homeschooling, our approach is tailored to individual needs, offering attention and service in a homeschooler-to-homeschooler style. Our platform offers Italian lessons for foreigners, ensuring a unique learning experience for each student, as well as Italian curriculum group learning with live online teachers on a daily basis. You can find us on www.edulearn.it

With flexible online learning, you can progress at your own pace and enjoy the convenience of studying from home or anywhere you choose. Our school embraces the power of personalised learning, diverse resources, and global connections, making education a joyful and transformative experience.
EDUlearn is here to support you on your educational journey also if you want to learn Italian language and customs, we offer individual, family and group classes. Join us in this exciting learning adventure!


As we share our challenges, achievements, and spiritual growth, our hope is to inspire and support fellow parents who are considering or already embarking on the homeschooling path. Together, let's make homeschooling more accessible in Italy and offer unwavering support to Italians who are homeschooling abroad.


I'm excited to connect with all of you on this incredible journey of home education. So, whether you're a seasoned homeschooling parent or just exploring the idea, I invite you to enjoy these articles and join the EDUpar.it community and discover the boundless possibilities of learning at home. Let's make a difference in the lives of our children and create a brighter future together. Follow us on Instagram for more inspiration and insights!


Homeschooling in Italy



Home education is legal in Italy, where an increasing number of homeschooling families are embracing educational freedom. As Margaret Mead once said, "Children must be taught how to think, not what to think." This blog Controscuola.it, has been serving as a leading advocate for defending and expanding homeschooling as an educational choice for over 10 years, provides valuable information. While the blog may not be constantly updated, rest assured that all the information presented is accurate and relevant. I now work on the online platform of Edupar.it, where we continue to support and empower families in their pursuit of meaningful and flexible education.


Despite the growing popularity of homeschooling, it remains a minority among the majority who still believe that school is necessary and compulsory. However, with the pandemic raising awareness on the subject, things are changing quickly, and many families are seeking guidance in starting home education.


In Italy, homeschooling parents must annually notify the appropriate school authorities of their intent to homeschool (dirigente scolastico). They provide a self-certification stating their "technical" and "economic" capacity to teach their children at home. "Technical capacity" refers to the parents, guardians or tutors who will teach the child and there is no specific guideline, while "economic capacity" simply refers to financial means. In both cases there isn't a specific guideline or requirement to meet. Fortunately, you will not be required to justify these statements with legal documents, making the process more accessible as  you can provide written statements.


As John Holt wisely said, "The true test of character is not how much we know how to do, but how we behave when we don't know what to do." Despite fairly clear legislation on homeschooling, schools, which rarely deal with homeschooling, often judge this choice negatively and fail to provide adequate support to students. You need to know your rights, especially in Italy where chaotic bureaucracy reigns sovereign.


In 2017, the Italian Parliament approved a decree-law (School Reform called "Buona Scuola") stating that the fulfillment of the duty of education by parents must be proved through annual school exams. This change marked a shift from the previous regulations that protected the freedom of teaching, requiring only yearly notifications to school officials. Now, families must present a personal curriculum and a written request for the exam in Italian. The curriculum used must be the Italian one and the competences to achieve vary through many subjects. The exams usually take place in June after approval from the school. However, if you are a foreign family residing in Italy for a short time, you may not be subject to the exam. This depends on many factors, for example if you have registered in the Comune or not, if you are under a tourist Visa or a work Visa, if you live in a small town or a large city... If you need further guidance you can book a consultation with the me at this page.


In conclusion, home education is gradually gaining acceptance and recognition in Italy. There are some family groups that meet up regularly, others that create learning pods very similar to traditional school settings, while others are travelschoolers and roam the peninsula on their caravans. Together, we can create a positive and nurturing learning environment that celebrates diversity and fosters a love for knowledge.


  • Can I homeschool just in English?

    The situation depends on your choices regarding your children's education in Italy. If you decide not to take the end-of-year exam and prefer to keep a low profile (stay under the radar), you may avoid certain obligations.


    However, if you opt to follow the standard Italian curriculum and want your children to be evaluated by the school system, registration becomes necessary. In such a case, you would need to communicate with the school officer in your local area. Together, you can determine the appropriate testing subjects and methods for your children's evaluations. 


    I highly recommend you contact me for a consultation if you are having a hard time with the exams, I can help you find a welcoming school where to take your kids. You can book a call here 

  • Can I unschool in Italy?

    You can unschool, but keep in mind that there could be a final-year exam for your kids. It depends weather you are registered as homeschoolers or not. 


    Failing to register your children in the school system may become an issue, especially if you plan to stay in Italy for over a year and you register them at the Comune di residenza. Attempting to stay under the radar is not a foolproof solution, yet many get away with it. It is crucial to be aware that registering your children is necessary when seeking certifications or compliance with educational regulations. By being officially enrolled, your children can undergo evaluation and meet the necessary requirements.



  • What if I'm only in Italy for a short time?

    In Italy, it's highly unlikely that the school system will notice your presence if you plan to stay for a year or if you are traveling while homeschooling your children. Many foreigners successfully homeschool their kids without encountering any issues because their presence often goes unnoticed.


    People here assume that foreign families follow alternative learning curricula, even if they are registered with the local health authorities (USL or ASL) or if they are renting a property. 

  • Any bad stories to tell?

    It did happen that some Italian families had the police and social services on their doorstep. How much of a risk depends on so many factors, like what kind of neighbors you have, where you live (huge city vs small town) and how gung-ho the local school director is. Nothing really ugly ever happened in this Country (we are not in Germany).

  • Good advice to share?

    I invite you to join www.edupar.it , a private platform meant for all parents who (plan to) home-educate in Italy. It aspires to help home educators support each other in order to serve the needs and interests of their children in the way they think is best. It also aims to make home education more accessible in Italy and it’s the best place to share ideas and experiences, organize events for children, find various groups and other English speaking families, with your contribution you are supporting all this work.

    There is also a learning website www.edulearn.it that is directed to kids ages 5-18, we can help you learn Italian, or get together online with other bilingual children, share experiences, learn and have fun. 

    Check out Controscuola’s FB page and Youtube Channel as well!


    www.erikadimartino.com

    www.edupar.it

    www.controscuola.it

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Controscuola

    Telegram: https://t.me/edupar_org

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fantastici_cinque/

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