[ahermitt]

seeking...

That is why everyone gave it a good review, because the person who asks already understands the public school at home issue. She just wanted to know what people think of it outside of that. It is good to know that there are people who tire of the workbook portion.

[SeekingmyLord]

Originally Posted by ahermitt

seeking...

That is why everyone gave it a good review, because the person who asks already understands the public school at home issue. She just wanted to know what people think of it outside of that. It is good to know that there are people who tire of the workbook portion.

Thank you, but not "everyone gave it a good review" since I dissented. Perhaps I was not as clear as I should have been, so I will try to make my point more clear.

I have personally known numerous people in my area start with the K12 program because all our schools are severally overcrowded. Several families have had some unrealistic expectations of it. They expected that they would have the best of both worlds, the benefits of homeschooling with a public school curriculum and supervision, but many of them quit after the first semester realizing that they also had the worse of both worlds. Tons of busy work and inflexibility common with public school as well as no access to school activities common with homeschooling, with the addition of more limitations for socializing even to a general shunning of the students from both sides, since many homeschooling groups--at least, in my area--will not accept them as members either.

[pattiewrites]

The people who I know who do it here say it takes 3 hours per day at most to complete the lessons. One is also involved in a local homeschool group, so not all will shun. She does the cyberschool because she has no experience in planning and was concerned about her kids getting an uneven education. They do the lessons in the morning, have lunch and do an "unschooling" type of learning in the afternoons in which the kids choose what they will learn. To me, that seems like the best of both worlds. Really, I don't believe there is a one size fits all. Some families do better in public school, private school, online learning, homeschooling with a curriculum or unschooling. I think each should decide what is best for their family and go with that.

[deedee1231]

Originally Posted by MamaWrites

I'm also interested in distance learning. Are there any other programs? For example, do school districts have any of their own distance learning programs? I love our school's curriculum, but I am worried about some of the peer influences.

Some schools do, but it varies quite a bit from district to district. We looked into this: http://www.homeschools.org/index.html for my two oldest for this year, I thought it looked like a good option, you mail in all the work and they grade it and keep records, but it would be a good option for those who want that service. And it isn't too terribly expensive. Especially in comparison with a private Christian school. You can order a free catalog on their website if you are interested.

We also looked into MU's (University of MO) high school online rogram. It looks wonderful, but the cost is prohibitive, IMO.

[SeekingmyLord]

Originally Posted by pattiewrites

The people who I know who do it here say it takes 3 hours per day at most to complete the lessons.

According to those in the Georgia Virtual School (GVA) in my area and one of my close friends who did K12 (but not through GVA), it is about 4 to 5 hours on average, IF the child is cooperative. (Georgia law requires an equivalent to 4.5 hours.) The teaching parent with more than one student often complains about being completely overwhelmed with separate assignments for each child and cannot supplement with other subjects because of it, but then we are talking pre-high school grades in my area, because it is not offered past 8th grade when children are more independent in their lessons.

I am sure that not all homeschool groups shun those in GVA in all of my state, but I know that the most active ones in my local area do.

However, I simply am pointing out is that these are things that the the OP might want to look into and consider that is not directly part of the program because she asked.

[pattiewrites]

I'm sure it depends on the individual child. Some are fast and others take longer. Maybe her kids are just all smart. It's possible. I have two daughters that are in school and one is done her math in minutes and the other takes hours, hating every last second. Sadly, she takes after mommy.

I think its great that the op is getting such a range of opinions. It helps to make a decision and education is one of the biggest ones we make as parents and with long ranging effects. The more input, the better.

[Frogchile]

Sorry it took me so long to get back to all of you. I could not find the Link I saved Back to this sight since I had saved so many that night hunting for answers. I want to tell you ALL thank you. I understand that the schools are still involved ALOT and that is one reason I wanted to go this way. I have 4 Kids 11,8,2, and 7 months... I understand a lot of you homeschoolers out there can find the time to make lessons and make sure that they are well rounded But I just do not think I can do it. It has been a very hard decision for me because the thought of having all 4 of them Home in a house we just moved into All day long instead of having the break of the older two at school is a very scary one for me. But in my mind I have always said that the most important thing in life for me is my children and making sure they are learning what they need to Learn and I just think that they are not going to get that outside my house at the moment. I have also thought about the Activities that they are missing at school and looked in to that to. One thing I found out that is in my area the schools do not have After school Activities other then Homework club because they were having "troubles" with Fighting and Such so they just canceled them. So that point my kids are not missing out at all I would have still had to find things outside of the school things.
But see as you can tell I love to babble! Back to the point of my message. Thank you all so much for your input it truly has helped me a lot. I have decided to Give this a try for the rest of this school year and then Reevaluate it from there with My kids. I am sure I will be coming around in here for questions with odd answers all the time. It has been very nice meeting all of you!!!

[twinzplus3]

I hope you do come back! I know many people that homeschool with online programs (not all are funded by the public school though) and are very happy with them. I think someone else said this. .. but it really is a matter of what suits you best. Despite having been a teacher and being perfectly capable of laying out lesson plans for my kids, I opted for a "out of the box" type deal where they tell you what to teach when. When we started I had 5 kids and that inluded a set of newborn twins and I just felt like I couldn't go it on my own like many others do. Now I use what was once my out of the box as a skeleton and am more eclectic--bc honestly my kids are a little older. Just makes a big difference. Anyhow, good luck to you! Let us know how you like it!

[mcmama]

I hope you come back too. I think you have an excellent perspective.

Sounds like you are in a HORRIBLE public school district. Canceling afterschool activities does nothing to build community among the children, encourage healthy living, give them alternatives to trouble. No, it was too difficult, and the teachers are on overtime, and on and on and on. Bet the teachers don't eat lunch with them either - another way to build a community of learners.

If I were you, I would take care of the afterschool activities myself - dance, music, sports, etc. See what options are available in the community that are not controlled by the lockstep unionified administrative bureaucratic lazy paper tigers. And when you do return to the schools, advocate for change. Do not settle for the lazy excuses they will give you. Don't be afraid to be a real pest.

They are in the business of meeting the needs of your children. Sounds like the schools are viewed as an island separate from the community which supports them. What a shame.