The Homeschooling Handbook_ From Preschool to High School - Mary Griffith [41]
We’re rapidly approaching the 2,000-student mark now.
The fact that our program is fairly new (now entering its second year) and the fact that it is a public school program present challenges and some drawbacks, but on the whole, for most of us it is a great opportunity. In areas where state laws or district regulations are more restrictive, I’m not sure I’d want to participate in a program of this nature and probably would not. While there is the twice-yearly written report that must be done, I haven’t witnessed any interference in what, how, and with what materials my children learn. Many of our certified teachers are also either current or past homeschoolers, too.
The bottom line is that they let the parents know going in what’s required, offer quite a few benefits, and let the parents choose to accept or decline what they offer. If you accept the benefits, you also accept the requirements. No getting around them—but for those who can live with the requirements, the benefits are very good.—Monica, Alaska
I’m listed with both our local and state homeschooling organizations as someone to call with questions about homeschooling. One question I get often is “Where do you buy curriculum?” I take a deep breath and say, “I don’t.” There is usually silence on the other end of the line.
When I began my homeschooling journey—when my son was two—I went to the library and checked out every book on homeschooling I could find. I went to homeschool conferences. I talked to people. When my informal play group decided we needed to disband because our toddlers needed to go to preschool for “socialization” and “kindergarten preparedness,” I knew I needed to make some homeschooling friends.
Fellow homeschoolers have been a wonderful resource. We all can hang out together and share our favorite books for both adults and children. We can talk about our latest interests and hobbies. I can call someone during the day and invite them over.
I like the idea of doing what we want, when we want, the way we want. I like the idea of being a pioneer, of going where no one has gone before. Yet I find that many of my homeschooling friends are joining the increasingly popular charter schools. Most of them say it is for the money and the security of complying with government standards.
I don’t understand how homeschooling costs so much money. The charter schools state that the money must be used for consumable goods, so many of my friends sit together talking with this glow about what neat “guaranteed success” product they are going to buy with their free money.
So instead of sitting your child down in your lap and explaining to them how to tie his shoe, you can go buy a book to help you teach this. Later you can buy products to teach your child to read. There seems to be a whole industry built on the phrase “don’t try this at home.”
Well, we do—and without fancy how-to books or videos. We do what I have always done: go to the library, make friends, and ask questions.—Jennifer, California
Making the Choice
One unexpected element in deciding whether to use a public or private program or homeschool independently is the political impact of that decision. Many new homeschoolers, especially, are startled by the vehemence with which their decision, one way or the other, is greeted by other homeschoolers. Some very structured homeschoolers, happy with their videotape or CD-ROM (or even satellite-delivered) curriculum, view independent homeschoolers as irresponsible laggards who give the homeschooling movement a bad name. Libertarian homeschoolers who believe that American society would be better off if there were no publicly funded education at all declare that homeschoolers who use publicly supported programs are falling into a trap by which the government will restrict options for all homeschoolers. Independent homeschoolers see some charter program homeschoolers