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knowloveserve
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| Posted: April 27 2009 at 5:46pm | IP Logged
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In our district we have a thing called Home Connections and I've been really on the fence about enrolling or not. There are two major benefits:
1-$500/year/student stipend for non-consumable, non-religious books or materials or LESSONS (that's what I'd invest in--music lessons). Books must be returned when you're through with the program.
2-The parents of these students have formed co-op enrichment classes taught by the parents and only for hs'ers. They have things like arts & crafts, languages, sports, etc.
The biggest con about being a part of this program is that you have to meet monthly with someone from the district to go over your curriculum plans and check in on how the students are doing.
I know they aren't going to be forbidding anything we do, but I REALLY REALLY dislike the idea of being accountable in any way to a state educational entity. It just rackles me (I've read too many John Holt and John Taylor Gatto books...  ). I know this seems like it's really not that big of deal, but I cherish the freedom and lifestyle of doing our own thing. I wonder if I'm being too radical or scrupulous though... because I could sure put some of those aforementioned pros to good use!
Anyway, I just wanted to see if any of you are involved in anything like this in your state/district and wanted to know if it's been a positive or negative experience for you...
Thanks!
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Ellie
The Bleeding Pelican
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Maddie
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| Posted: April 27 2009 at 6:59pm | IP Logged
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Some food for thought as you make your decision. From the HSLDA website:
June 26, 2002
The Problem with Home-based Charter Schools
HSLDA's Position in the Charter School Debate
Charter schools are a new phenomenon rapidly gaining popularity across the country. All charter schools are created or "chartered" by public school boards, which establish a mission, educational program, and methods of assessment. Most charter schools are classroom based. However, some charter schools are home based. When parents enroll their child in a full-time, classroom-based charter school, it is obvious that they are signing away much of their parental right to direct their child's education. Home-based charter schools gloss over this surrender by giving parents a wide variety of "free" benefits, all for use at home: computer and Internet access, books, school supplies, support from certified teachers, and a diploma, etc.
Creates a little public school in your home
In reality, parents who accept government money through home-based charter schools are still signing over ultimate educational control of their children to the state. Enrolling in a home-based charter school creates a little public school in your home.
This is why HSLDA has for years opposed public school Independent Study Programs in California, and it's why we oppose home-based charter schools.
One of HSLDA's primary objectives is to establish the right of parents to independently teach their children at home free from government intervention. This is independent private home schooling. When HSLDA began in 1983, this was the only kind of home schooling that existed. In many states, home schooling was illegal. The same education establishment that fought home schooling years ago is beginning to see benefits of home-based charter schools. Is that because they are beginning to see the benefits of home schooling? The answer is a resounding "No!"
More profit for public schools
The issue is money and control. All public schools, including home-based charter schools, are funded based on attendance. The higher the student enrollment, the more money that is received. When a home schooler enrolls in a home-based charter school program, that school usually receives the same amount of funds for the student as if the child were attending the local public school. The difference is that the home-based charter school does not have to provide teachers, classrooms, and all the other related expenses of an on-site program.
Limits parental freedom & brings regulation
The state must hold recipients of taxpayer dollars accountable for how they use the funds. The flip side of the "free benefits" coin is not Lady Liberty—it's a door to increased "accountability checks": certified teacher oversight, curriculum approval, mandatory testing, and sometimes even home inspections. Ultimately, as these requirements grow, they will squelch one of the greatest benefits to home education—flexibility to accommodate each child's learning style and interest.
Rather than more control, HSLDA believes there should be less control and interference with parents' rights to direct the education of their children. Nationally normed standardized test results indicate that home schooled students score on average 30 percentile points above the national average. Private home schoolers have demonstrated that state funding and regulation are not necessary to achieve academic excellence.
Restricts religious freedom
Some 30 states already prohibit public schools and public school-funded programs from using sectarian materials. Because home-based charter schools are tax-funded, parents cannot use Christian or other religious curriculum, nor will the home-based charter school give their children credit for religious courses/materials.
The big picture-the effect of government money on private education
America's Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution to keep the state checked by the law in order to keep the private sphere truly free. When individuals accept state funds for private activities, the distinction between the state and the private sphere is blurred, self-government is weakened, and the state is further unleashed from the bounds of law to intrude upon the personal lives of its citizens. If the distinction between the state and the private sphere is damaged or falls, our whole constitutional system of government collapses.
Conclusion
HSLDA encourages every home schooling family to be informed—know your U.S. and state constitutional rights, read your state home schooling law, and consider carefully the implications of a decision to enroll in a home-based charter school.
HSLDA's website has other articles on the issue if you're interested.
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~Maddie~
Wife to my dh and Momma of 9 dear ones
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Sarah M
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| Posted: April 27 2009 at 9:01pm | IP Logged
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Hi Ellie. We belong to Columbia Virtual Academy.Anyone in WA state qualifies for the program.
We check in weekly (my daughter narrates a sentence or two about what we've been up to), monthly (I fill out a review form), and we take an annual assessment (the M.A.P., which we take at home on our computer, child in lap-- I told my dd we were playing a "game"- she didn't even know it was a test). In return, we get $1200 per child per year to spend on homeschooling expenses. I don't buy books or other non-consumables, because they have to be returned. Instead, we spend the money on field trips and classes, like ballet, swimming, etc.
We've taken some really awesome trips using our funds- in October, we went to Wenatchee for 4 days and toured apple farms/orchards, went to the Pioneer Village, etc. CVA paid for our hotel, our gas there and back, and all our admissions. Just this last weekend we spent the night at Mount Rainier and they paid for our gas/hotel/admission there, too.
Just wanted to toss out another option- it's really a great program. I hesitated to join, because I felt like I would be "selling out" to join a publicly-funded program, and I know HSLDA and the like strongly oppose them, but my dh really wanted to try it and I'm SO glad we did. We have been able to go on trips and take classes that we wouldn't have been able to otherwise. CVA is really flexible in the how-it's-done. We are pretty waldorfy/unschooly, and I've never once been told that I have to use certain materials or change the way we're doing things. We just let them know what we're up to. I understand that not all publicly-funded programs are this generous, but CVA has earned a reputation for being very family-choice-friendly when it comes to curriculum.
I don't feel like it's public school at home, although I know that's how HSLDA describes similar programs. I can choose all the subjects & methods taught, and I can use whatever curriculum I want. They only reimburse for certain curriculum providers, of course (all nonreligious), but this doesn't bother me because I purchase our curricula with our own funds, and then use the CVA funds to pay for extracurriculars. Also- I can bail at any time. If it isn't working out, or I think they are trying to push me/direct me in a certain way, I'll pull dd out. But so far, I've had no reason to.
PM me if you want more info (after this ridiculous novel- sorry, those of you not in WA- I got carried away!)
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knowloveserve
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| Posted: April 27 2009 at 11:08pm | IP Logged
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Maddie, I appreciate that info, thanks. This isn't a charter school however. Hs'ers are free to design their own curriculum however they wish and there is no main criteria one must abide by at all.
I do appreciate the head's up though and will tuck that info into a brain wrinkle for when it is applicable!
Sarah, I'd never heard of CVA!!! I'm going through their website right now; thanks so much! Will let you know if I have any questions..
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Ellie
The Bleeding Pelican
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12stars
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| Posted: April 28 2009 at 9:19pm | IP Logged
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We also use a Charter, and for us it is a huge blessing.
I am well aware what HSLDA position is on this and for myself although I pondered it, it was still not enough to deter our decision.
If we did not do a charter there would be no way that I would be able to HS 3 . My husband has not been working and so money for materials would be next to impossible. I think you have to look at what is in the best interest of your family situation.
I know that HSLDA means well and recognizes the importance of being independent. I respect that very much. But I am also aware of the priority of having my children home. I am not altering their education by choosing a charter in fact I feel they have a opportunity now that we did not have before.
Sara made some excellent points we still are the parents and we still have the right to choose what we want our children to learn. I would never do a charter if I was not able to do so.
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Claudia in Southern California
Wife to George,
Mom to DD 14, DD 10, DD 7, DS 4, DS 2, 1 in heaven, and now due 5/11.
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: anyone partner with their public schools?
