T'CHERs was created in 1999 and is a nonprofit corporation whose purpose is to support and promote the entire spectrum of homeschooling in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. In doing so, T'CHERs recognizes and respects the diverse motives, needs, and teaching styles of homeschooling families.

T'CHERs is distinguished from local homeschool support groups in that it is a state level organization, with many of its members belonging to the various local support groups around the island, and others not belonging to any local support group at all.  T'CHERs has over 100 families as members and its membership is growing monthly.

T'CHERs provides free homeschool orientation for those who are interested.  (parents, government agencies, school officials, college classes, etc.)  While orientation is available as needed, T'CHERs also organizes an annual island wide One Great Month of Homeschool Orientation in order to make the homeschool option more visible to those looking for alternatives. We are also available to help with establishing new homeschool support groups where there is an interest.

T'CHERs has contacted the Dept. of Family and Dept. of Health in order to encourage them to establish policies of self certification by homeschooling parents so that these families do not need to have an outside source certify their homeschooling in order to receive services. The Dept. of Family (ADSEF/PAN division) and the Dept. of Health (Reforma health insurance) now have a policy in place.  T'CHERs is still working with the Housing Dept. and other agencies, as well as the private sector, in order to encourage them to follow suit.

T'CHERs has been in communication and meetings with the Dept. of Education in order to help them form policies for homeschoolers who need admission or re-admission into the system, who need special education services from the system, or who want to leave the system for homeschooling.   While the Dept.'s Circular Letter 2-2006-2006 (in our Archives) addresses the placement procedure for homeschoolers back into the system, the Dept. of Ed. still needs to address the needs of special ed. families and develop a policy for those families who want to leave the public system.

Board member Maria Luisa Inserni is a licensed lawyer ready to help any T'CHERs member with legal advice. Although we are striving to get all agencies to accept homeschooler self certification, Maria Luisa will provide certification of homeschooling, if necessary, for $25.00. Please call 787-390-1858 between 4:00 and 6:00 P.M.

T'CHERs keeps its members informed of homeschool legal issues in Puerto Rico and encourages them to voice their opinions on those issues in order to give the Board direction.


T'CHERs has helped form homeschool student admission policies at University of Puerto Rico and Inter American University.  We are in the process of helping Arecibo Pontificia Católica form their homeschooled student admission policy.

T'CHERs has been invited, and has accepted, to give workshops at the College Board's annual convention for educators in San Juan. In 2003 our workshop was on "Homeschooling as an Educational Alternative." In 2004 we discussed "Homeschoolers and College Admissions." In 2005, while invited, we chose not to participate, as the year's theme was not conducive to homeschooling topics. These workshops help teach traditional educators about homeschooling and provide us with contacts in the education community.

T'CHERs has held Homeschool Fairs to help keep homeschoolers informed and give them a chance to get to know other homeschoolers from across the island. T'CHERs has held two Homeschool Fairs in Aguadilla and one in San Juan. Workshops have included such topics as "Introduction to Homeschooling" for new homeschoolers, "How to Keep a Portfolio," "Singular Passions: How to Create a Whole Curriculum Around a Single Interest," "Homeschooling High School," and much more.

T'CHERs has held regional one day Homeschool Workshops at different venues around the island.  Workshop topics are based on the interests and input of the membership.

T'CHERs coordinates an annual weekend Family Camp, in February. This is an opportunity to relax and recharge with other homeschoolers. Along with what the area itself provides for fun, there are planned talks, activities, and games that add to the weekend enjoyment.

T'CHERs helps homeschoolers in the Caribbean connect with each other by maintaining a web site, www.tchers.net, and message boards.