My article “What If Your Kids Want to Go to Public School?” was recently published by Bizymoms.com, and it got quite a response! I had an interesting email conversation with Julieanne that I wanted to share, because I thought others might enjoy the follow-up articles I suggested. Thank you, Julieanne, for giving me permission to share your comments.
Lee,
Thank you so much! I read your article tonight called, “What If Your Kids Want to Go to Public School?” Even though I’m a former public school teacher, and I do teach the Latin class just for homeschoolers, I do agree with your article, that too many “classes” outside of the home in the high school years can lead to disgruntled teens/young adults.
I’m planning to share that main point alone with my Latin class parents and students, telling them how our nice, well-behaved class is not the norm for schools, because I do agree with that. In our area, most of them get placed into our local Christian school during the high school years, and within 3-4 weeks, they become totally peer-centered, antagonistic toward their parents, flirtatious, and walk away from the Lord. After seeing several teen girls whom we highly respected and loved, turn that way within a matter of weeks, refusing to meet our eyes in the hallway at church and not wanting to talk with us at all, we decided then and there that our children will never be placed into our local Christian school, no matter how well-meaning the teachers are out there.
Thank you again for the permission to reprint some of your articles. Much appreciated! I especially like to post the high school articles there because once again, so little encouragement for the high school years is being offered in our area.
~Julieanne in Oregon
Dear Julieanne,
I do have an article that discusses these concepts as they apply to homeschool coops. Here is the link: Cooped Up in a Co-op?
Writing about co-ops is a very touchy subject for some, but at the same time I see it as a real “fad” these days. Co-ops certainly fill a need in some situations, but in this environment I see parents using it as their default position, you know?
I would really appreciate it if you would nominate my blog for the 2009 Homeschool Blog Awards. Last year I won Best Curriculum/Business blog and came in 2nd for Best Encourager. I’m hoping this year I have been more encouraging!
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.
Real socialization doesn’t have anything to do with “school.” Real socialization is having fun! When we were homeschooling, we didn’t meet other kids at co-op classes. We got together to have FUN! We went on field trips, went to park days, met at support groups, and had show and share evenings. There is so much fun to be had! If you are looking for an opportunity for your children to find new friends, don’t get stuck in the rut of looking for a classroom setting. Look for a youth group, a volunteer opportunity, math or science club, musical group, or a job instead. Remember the priceless friendships of sibling, family, and church. Form a group of your own that meets for games, teen activities, fun at the park. Friendships happen when kids are having fun together, not when they are sitting in a classroom together. So search for activities that might interest your child, perhaps something they specialize in – or maybe just WISH they specialize in! My sons loved soccer, baseball, swim team, chess club, and youth group. They helped at Vacation Bible School, and taught classes (chess and charcoal drawing) to other homeschoolers. Finding fun is finding friends!
What fun activities do you do with your teenagers? How have they found their friends? Share your ideas!
Are you panicky about next year? Don’t be afraid! Take control of the situation! If you are just beginning high school, or never really felt you understand what was expected, consider getting my video “Preparing to Homeschool High School.” Equivalent to reading a book on the subject, it will get you up to speed quickly, so that you can feel confident about homeschooling through high school!
Following a standard school schedule is like getting on the conveyor belt of education – you follow along at the rate of the average student. Like the old Lucille Ball show, sometimes you can’t keep up with the conveyor belt because it’s too fast. Other times it will go too slow for the child. When you follow someone else’s schedule (public school, private school or co-op) you may end up going at the wrong speed. Homeschooling is just right!
Need more help with grades and credits? Check out my transcript service. Get all your questions answered and end up with a winning transcript that will give your student the credit they deserve!
I was speaking one day to a group of homeschoolers. During the Q&A time, one mother said to me, “Do I have to use co-ops for high school or is it possible to do it myself?” I was surprised. Of course you don’t “have to” use co-ops. Co-ops can sometimes serve a purpose in home education. A lot has been written about the plus side of co-op classes so I probably don’t need to reiterate these, but you might want to consider the “flip-side” of co-ops when you are planning your classes next year.
The commute time: It takes time driving back and forth
Time away from home: You will have less time doing your home-based homeschool activities
Less time for fun: There is less time for extra-curricular and other fun activities
Homework: You have to finish homework that the co-op assigns, which may lead to extra fussing with your kids to complete the work
Germs: In any classroom environment, germs are rampant
Expense: Homeschooling can be expensive, and adding the cost of co-ops can be rough
These are just a few things that people in co-ops have shared with me. Parents always know what is best for their children but I wanted you to have the benefit of others experience. If high school co-ops are in your future, you might plan to address these issues with your family.
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