Whenever you become involved in state sponsored Alternative Education, you have less control than when you are homeschooling independently. In fact, any classroom setting (public school, private school, alternative education, and even co-op classes) give you less control and flexibility than homeschooling independently.
- You can’t control the content (you have to choose what they offer.)
- You don’t control the speed of the curriculum (you have to go at their rate.)
- You can’t choose how it’s graded (if your student goofs up on a test, you can’t re-do the chapter and re-take the test to keep his grades AND his learning optimized.)
- You lack the flexibility to change course at the drop of a hat (dropping curriculum choices that don’t work.)
- You can’t control their transcript (neither the names of classes nor their grades.)
- Dealing with “certified teachers” can make you feel like you aren’t a “real” teacher – when in fact, you are! And YOU know what is best for YOUR child.
- When a class is “accredited” is also is “written in stone.” No amount of re-learning, supplementing, or review will change those grades. With accreditation you get a lack of control and responsibility.
There are other small issues as well, but it mostly boils down to “who has control?” Homeschooling is so effective because the parents can always use what works, always work at the students level in all subjects all the time, or they can change the moment they recognize a problem.
Learn how to create your very own “official” homeschool transcript that colleges will understand and value. ”The Easy Truth About Homeschool Transcripts”
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Lisa says:
Sounds like a great case for homeschooling. Thanks for the encouragement!
June 16th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
J W says:
I got out of a co-op for the very same reasons plus some – in fact, we only lasted three one-hour classes and the first ten minutes of one meeting. We also like to take advantage of nice weather when it happens, so being committed to an outside class really puts a damper on our exercise, outdoor projects, and fun.
June 17th, 2009 at 7:55 am