Requesting Advice from seasoned homeschoolers

[supermomx6]

New to this site. Semi-sorta new to homeschooling. 

We have 7 children. We are looking at homeschooling 4 of them... One is a senior and wants to finish with her class. One has graduated public school and in his 2nd year at college. The oldest is grown and one, We homeschooled her until 4th grade and we moved to this little community and decided to enroll her in public school. She did well, we have since sent all of them to public school. The school is a total of 125 kids from k-12, very friendly and enjoy the experience (for the most part). However, the school is in accreditation trouble with TEA and in fear of being shut down,  and none of them passed the STARR, state mandated tests. I feel like I am quitting the school when they need us but I feel like they quit my kids already.

 

The children are kinder, 4th, 8th and 9th. These are the grades the school "claims" they have been promoted to, state testing proves other wise, obviously. Money is extremely tight (almost non-existant) but the challenge and determination to give my children an education is high priority.

 

So on the advice part...

I have looked into several different options, but it is very overwhelming. Do you have suggestions of inexpensive curriculum ideas?

 

 

 

[Kiara.I]

For kinder you need VERY little. Math maybe, if you like, but you can also do it with buttons or jellybeans and popsicle sticks. And reading, though some delay that until first grade.

 

I don't have a lot of experience with the higher ages so I'll leave that to others.

 

 

 

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[....]

Do you have suggestions of inexpensive curriculum ideas?

 

It's not for everyone....but my oldest two are doing Ambleside Online Year 7.  It's a free curriculum and a big chunk of the books are old classics and are free for Kindle.  I'm not sure how much money I spent, but it was less than $100 on 9th grade and 8th grade together (they are trying it together).

 

If you have internet and a good, solid library system with inter-library loan, I'm convinced you can homeschool for free.

 

MEP math is free.  Khan Academy is free.  Kiss Grammar is free.  There are tons of spelling lists and handwriting sheets for free online. 

 

I buy most of our books used and any textbook we use, I buy used on Amazon.  I bought Lial's Algebra for 88 cents one year.  I have several college biology textbooks that I spent $5 total on...  I own the Prentice Hall high school literature Penguin Edition series - just because I saw them on sale for like a dollar - and I thought one of the kids might like to use them later.

 

Just some thoughts...

[Ellie]

New to this site. Semi-sorta new to homeschooling. 

We have 7 children. We are looking at homeschooling 4 of them... One is a senior and wants to finish with her class. One has graduated public school and in his 2nd year at college. The oldest is grown and one, We homeschooled her until 4th grade and we moved to this little community and decided to enroll her in public school. She did well, we have since sent all of them to public school. The school is a total of 125 kids from k-12, very friendly and enjoy the experience (for the most part). However, the school is in accreditation trouble with TEA and in fear of being shut down,  and none of them passed the STARR, state mandated tests. I feel like I am quitting the school when they need us but I feel like they quit my kids already.

 

The children are kinder, 4th, 8th and 9th. These are the grades the school "claims" they have been promoted to, state testing proves other wise, obviously. Money is extremely tight (almost non-existant) but the challenge and determination to give my children an education is high priority.

 

So on the advice part...

I have looked into several different options, but it is very overwhelming. Do you have suggestions of inexpensive curriculum ideas?

 

How is it that the school "needs" you? They're going to get your tax money regardless. All you're doing is sending your children there. How is that helping the school in any way?

 

That your children didn't do well on the STARR tests doesn't mean much to me, and it shouldn't mean much to you. I'm not impressed with the tests. Have you actually seen them? Not impressed.

 

For the record, children shouldn't be passed from one grade to the other based on a single test at the end of the year. Presumably, their teachers were evaluating them all year long (even though they were probably teaching to the test beginning in January). I wouldn't worry about that assessment at all. If your children are on year older, they should be in one grade higher. :-)

 

There are many ways to homeschool inexpensively; a library card is one of them. :-) Don Potter has many free, vintage books available on his site free of charge (I don't have the link offhand, but you can google it).  

[Joshin]

For the middle and high school kids, check out CK12.org. The flexbooks are excellent and free.

[Kat w]

Ellie is absolutely correct .

Don't miss the part she answered you in the quote in red letters.

 

She has graduated all her kkds homeschool and she has advice you can trust.

 

Hi Ellie ! :)

 

I have more to say, in the meantime ( while we are making a bedroom I to a schoolroom this weekend) I will go through what I have ( tho every child's learning style is different) and see what I can pass along to you for no charge. Homeschoolers have done that for me and one, just recently even.

 

Be back later, but these ladies have given you good advice.

 

It's going to be OK. You and your kids? This is probably the best thing thats happened to you lol. What seem like negatives often are actually positives :) And you will have great joy in it :)

 

I'll be back later

Edited July 23, 2016 by Kat w

[Susan in TX]

I wouldn't remove my children from a school situation that was working for them just because of STARR scores. I would base it on what they have been doing all year and the quality of the teachers. And the quality of the teachers is also not determined by STARR scores.

 

Susan in TX

[Kat w]

PS. If it were me...the school is in danger if losing accreditation.

 

What else have they missed ? That to me would be a great indicator of what kind of education they've received thus far.

 

If accreditation is in the line, it's highly probable , they have missed alot in teaching the children.

Edited July 23, 2016 by Kat w

[MotherGoose]

Yes accreditation is there for a reason. OP, don't know if you have religious preferences, but Christian Light Educationmight be a good place to start. It's cheap (but for several kids it will add up) and you can try a few light units to see how it goes. Also it's fairly independent.

[HS Mom in NC]

Look, I get that homeschoolers aren't into standardized testing as the sole or for some, any measure of progress and all that, but in the context of the original post, there seems to be real trouble with the school.  And teachers with as many kids a classroom has, even a small one, needs some sort of evaluation tool because no classroom can be the same as a homeschool where mom has been working with each kid individually and has intimate knowledge of where the child is and how much that child has been progressing over time.  The school is having accreditation problems and none of the kids has passed the STARR test, which I think the OP is implying is out of the norm for the kids academically.  So, let's not look at a school through the lens of a homeschool. Since OP hasn't been homeschooling them, it's perfectly appropriate for her to want some sort of objective measure (like a standardized test) to give her an idea of a child has progressed a year's worth of typical ps compared to last year and to have an idea of how much typical ps content the child has learned.  Apparently, not as much as she'd like.

Where to go from here on a very tight budget? 

 

1. OP, you need some idea of where each kid is academically in each subject.  Some homeschool curriculum has online placement tests. Pay attention to whether or not it's consumable or if you're legally allowed to make copies for all the kids in the homeschool-that can save you some money. Ask on the boards about jumping in in the middle with a particular curriculum.  Some, like Singapore Math, are inexpensive but aren't good for jumping into in the middle. Pay attention to materials that cover a wider range of ages/grade levels and combine the 8th and 9th graders as much as possible.

 

2. OP, if you want your child to continue with a ps education at home, there are online public and public charter schools available at taxpayer expense.  Depending on your state, you may or may not be legally recognized as a public school student.  In my state you would be.

 

[Kat w]

Well,

 

Noone said don't standardize test them, only that the starr may not be the beat test. There are far better tests our there in which to measure where our Dc are.

 

Secondly , the IP nwvwe said she wanted to put her kids in ps.

In fact, she asked for help from homeschool moms and said she wants to homeschool .

 

Pushing the public education system thst had failed them is not helpful. And frankly, all of this is a bad witness to homeschooling.

 

Op, sweetpea , I would read other threads here on the boards too :)

I'm going to be going through my stuff and see what you might be able to use.

 

We are all in the trenches together, sticking together. :)

 

Mother goose, your so right. And I want to check into Christian ligh education math. I hear so many good things about it :)

 

I can't like comments right now, my old phone isn't responding lol.

 

Op, I will PM you tomorrow about books, but like another poster SAid, a library card will get you far lol

[TX Native]

I am not seasoned yet, but I love teaching and have looked at a few different curricula past elementary aged. CLE math resembles math the way I learned it in school through 8th grade, but better. It is a Mennonite company. The workbooks have some biblical and old school references here and there, but It doesn't seem to bother most secular homeschoolers to my understanding. I have read secular homeschoolers being bothered by their religion in the LA, but unsure about the majority of users. I don't know much about the high school levels.

 

This is low on the priority list, but throwing it out there. Easy Peasy All in One High School has a free online Spanish curriculum for high school if you want something simple just for a 9th grade foreign language credit. I am not sure of its rigor, but you go to the website each day and it has links to videos or other websites where you can learn the foreign language. I wouldn't look into it until after your main subjects are covered, but if you need to do a foreign language credit for your 9th grader and you aren't planning to have an honors level foreign language credit it may be worth your time to look at it. Doing the Spanish Duolingo app, free, on the side would be a great supplement. As an aside, Easy Peasy online is put together by a homeschool mom. It has a free K-12 curriculum mostly from online websites she links to for each day's subjects and lessons. It looks a bit choppy and confusing to use as a full curriculum, but you may like bits and pieces of it for some extras like art appreciation or elementary science. I would have a hard time using it for math, LA, writing, or reading everyday (especially just starting out). Some people do use it for those things so it is worth mentioning.

 

Rod and Staff, also A Mennonite Company, has a spelling program, Spelling by Sound and Structure. It is very affordable, I understand it is very solid, and it may be a good fit for a 4th grader exiting public school. You can look at samples online. I don't use it, but I would use it if I didn't have time to do a more time consuming dictation spelling program with my elementary kids.

 

This is not a seasoned opinion, but a humble suggestion. I would set together courses for the 9th and 8th grader 1st. I would have the 4th grader watch lots of educational videos, do some handwriting practice or creative writing of your choosing, math practice from free online sites (like Xtramath for drills or Kahn academy for teaching videos) , and read some library books everyday UNTIL you have the 9th grader and 8th grader in a groove. That may be anywhere from 1-4 months give or take. Then I would put together an active teaching plan with curriculum of your choosing for the 4th grader. For the Kindergartener, I would get some cheap workbooks only if the child likes that thing, do some simple math activities in real life circumstances, play lots of board games, look up a craft to do once in awhile for perks, pick 1-2 educational PBS shows to watch regularly, go to library reading programs if offered, go to places like the zoo often, and read lots of great picture books. Start working on active reading lessons after the 9th, 8th, and 4th grader are comfortable with their stuff so you aren't juggling too much new stuff at once, If your Ker isn't eager to learn to read just yet, no worries waiting until 1st grade if you are comfortable waiting until then.

 

Most importantly, find out what the homeschool laws are in your state. How do you report homeschooling and who do you report to? Are there certain courses, hours, days, or ways you have to teach? Will you need testing or a portfolio to turn in each year? Some states don't require notification of homeschooling until a certain age and some require registration for Kindergarten. If you need links to any websites to your state's homeschool laws let us know so we can help find a link for you. Find out what social support is available in your area.

Edited July 24, 2016 by TX native

[Kat w]

I am not seasoned yet, but I love teaching and have looked at a few different curricula past elementary aged. CLE math resembles math the way I learned it in school through 8th grade, but better. It is a Mennonite company. The workbooks have some biblical and old school references here and there, but It doesn't seem to bother most secular homeschoolers to my understanding. I have read secular homeschoolers being bothered by their religion in the LA, but unsure about the majority of users. I don't know much about the high school levels.

 

This is low on the priority list, but throwing it out there. Easy Peasy All in One High School has a free online Spanish curriculum for high school if you want something simple just for a 9th grade foreign language credit. I am not sure of its rigor, but you go to the website each day and it has links to videos or other websites where you can learn the foreign language. I wouldn't look into it until after your main subjects are covered, but if you need to do a foreign language credit for your 9th grader and you aren't planning to have an honors level foreign language credit it may be worth your time to look at it. Doing the Spanish Duolingo app, free, on the side would be a great supplement. As an aside, Easy Peasy online is put together by a homeschool mom. It has a free K-12 curriculum mostly from online websites she links to for each day's subjects and lessons. It looks a bit choppy and confusing to use as a full curriculum, but you may like bits and pieces of it for some extras like art appreciation or elementary science. I would have a hard time using it for math, LA, writing, or reading everyday (especially just starting out). Some people do use it for those things so it is worth mentioning.

 

Rod and Staff, also A Mennonite Company, has a spelling program, Spelling by Sound and Structure. It is very affordable, I understand it is very solid, and it may be a good fit for a 4th grader exiting public school. You can look at samples online. I don't use it, but I would use it if I didn't have time to do a more time consuming dictation spelling program with my elementary kids.

 

This is not a seasoned opinion, but a humble suggestion. I would set together courses for the 9th and 8th grader 1st. I would have the 4th grader watch lots of educational videos, do some handwriting practice or creative writing of your choosing, math practice from free online sites (like Xtramath for drills or Kahn academy for teaching videos) , and read some library books everyday UNTIL you have the 9th grader and 8th grader in a groove. That may be anywhere from 1-4 months give or take. Then I would put together an active teaching plan with curriculum of your choosing for the 4th grader. For the Kindergartener, I would get some cheap workbooks only if the child likes that thing, do some simple math activities in real life circumstances, play lots of board games, look up a craft to do once in awhile for perks, pick 1-2 educational PBS shows to watch regularly, go to library reading programs if offered, go to places like the zoo often, and read lots of great picture books. Start working on active reading lessons after the 9th, 8th, and 4th grader are comfortable with their stuff so you aren't juggling too much new stuff at once, If your Ker isn't eager to learn to read just yet, no worries waiting until 1st grade if you are comfortable waiting until then.

 

Most importantly, find out what the homeschool laws are in your state. How do you report homeschooling and who do you report to? Are there certain courses, hours, days, or ways you have to teach? Will you need testing or a portfolio to turn in each year? Some states don't require notification of homeschooling until a certain age and some require registration for Kindergarten. If you need links to any websites to your state's homeschool laws let us know so we can help find a link for you. Find out what social support is available in your area.

All good advise.

 

Khan academy fir math is free and awesome. College professors recommend it for struggling students.

 

We use it too and love it

[Kat w]

Texas native.

 

You sure sound seasoned :)

Good advice .

 

I am definitely going to try ClE .

[supermomx6]

Thank you all (Kat W, Susan in TX, Joshin and Ellie) for responding-allow me to elaborate...the school has had major issues, including 5 superintendents in 3 years. I have spent time in the classrooms as a substitute and been heavily involved in the school board and have seen all the issues first hand like Teachers 'giving' kids grades for participation to pass the class. (which explains why the STARR exam and course grades do not match up.)

 

The boys (4th, 8th and 9th grade) according to all tests (benchmark, state, ect) are all behind in math and reading, by a couple of years.  My 9th grader is on a 5th grade level so the challenge to find the right curriculum and teach it on the level they are on and bring them where they need to be is a priority, which in mind, makes it difficult to do the online, virtual classroom type curriculum, even though it would be the most convenient and budget friendly. 

 

[maize]

I would start by having the school district evaluate the kids for learning difficulties--a 9th grader at a 5th grade level would qualify for an IEP; you could consider getting that in place and having him continue in school with extra help (if a school the size of yours is able to provide it--legally they have to but sounds like what is actually available may be limited) or if you bring him home at least having in depth evaluations will give you more information to work with. It may be that instruction just hasn't been up to par, but with three children all behind grade level I would at least want to check for underlying challenges.

 

 

[HomeAgain]

I'm trying to think of the most inexpensive curriculum that you can use for all 4 kids.  It would need to be flexible, but gently rigorous, no?

 

My thinking would be PDFs would help you the most.  The Progressive Composition series comes in two books: 3rd-4th, and 5th-6th.  That would cover writing.  Though Writing Strands is back out and is roughly $15/book. It's done in levels so you could have 3 of yours start in a level together and move the two oldest on when they have mastered those skills.  It's also non-consumable.

 

For math, I'd probably do a mixture of Khan Academy and a series like Ray's, MEP, or one of these here. I'd start the K'er in Gattegno.

 

Take advantage of the 1 year freebies, too.  Mr. Q's life science is free, and so is year one of Spell By Color. Both would be suitable for your 4th grader.

 

 

 

[....]

 My 9th grader is on a 5th grade level so the challenge to find the right curriculum and teach it on the level they are on and bring them where they need to be is a priority, which in mind, makes it difficult to do the online, virtual classroom type curriculum, even though it would be the most convenient and budget friendly. 

 

Have you seen Lial's Basic College Mathematics?  It's a college remedial textbook that takes you all the way from the beginning of math skills to Algebra 1.  So, after that text, you should be able to start Algebra.  My son worked on that text last year.  I also bought that used on Amazon.  It was about $1 before shipping.

[AggieMama]

I don't know if I would start running for special education services right away. It seems that there are a lot of issues with the school. The STARR is a test of minimum measures and your children have obvisouly not been getting ghe education they deserve.

I would say that the first thing you need to do is find out exactly where your children are academically. If 9th grader is doing 5th grade math, so be it. Start from there and build a solid foundation. If you feel like your kids should have been retained, retain them and maybe they could work hard and get back on track later.

I am worried about your senior. I would also look at where she's at academically, especially if she wants to go to college. If your other kids have been in the same school and receiving horrible teaching practices then she is probably behind in some area. Maybe she wants to take a gap year if going to college to remediate those skills.

Good luck. I hope everything works out. I'm you've had such a bad experience.

[MotherGoose]

Thank you all (Kat W, Susan in TX, Joshin and Ellie) for responding-allow me to elaborate...the school has had major issues, including 5 superintendents in 3 years. I have spent time in the classrooms as a substitute and been heavily involved in the school board and have seen all the issues first hand like Teachers 'giving' kids grades for participation to pass the class. (which explains why the STARR exam and course grades do not match up.)

 

The boys (4th, 8th and 9th grade) according to all tests (benchmark, state, ect) are all behind in math and reading, by a couple of years. My 9th grader is on a 5th grade level so the challenge to find the right curriculum and teach it on the level they are on and bring them where they need to be is a priority, which in mind, makes it difficult to do the online, virtual classroom type curriculum, even though it would be the most convenient and budget friendly.

I would get them out in a second with no regrets.

[Mrs. Tharp]

Calvert School offers free placement tests for homeschoolers. It used to be a curriculum put out by a private school so the tests are very public schoolish in their approach and should give you a decent idea of reading, writing, and math skills. You can evaluate the results yourself, or send them back to Calvert and have a teacher evaluate, without being under any obligation to purchase from them. (I just did this. They gave me great advice and no pressure.)

 

Here is the link: http://www.calverteducation.com/enroll/free-placement-test

 

Eta to add: I emphasize the no pressure part because the curriculum is extremely expensive. I am recommending their placement tests only!

Edited July 24, 2016 by Mrs. Tharp

[Dinsfamily]

While I know it isn't popular on this site, Tx offers K-12 free for kids 3rd and up. While that wouldn't be ideal for me, it might help you get a year under your belt and figure out where to go from there. I had a friend do that exact thing when she pulled her kids from PS. She moved on the next year, but was able to use the time to evaluate her dc and figure out curriculum without losing a year of education.

[Ellie]

Thank you all (Kat W, Susan in TX, Joshin and Ellie) for responding-allow me to elaborate...the school has had major issues, including 5 superintendents in 3 years. I have spent time in the classrooms as a substitute and been heavily involved in the school board and have seen all the issues first hand like Teachers 'giving' kids grades for participation to pass the class. (which explains why the STARR exam and course grades do not match up.)

 

The boys (4th, 8th and 9th grade) according to all tests (benchmark, state, ect) are all behind in math and reading, by a couple of years.  My 9th grader is on a 5th grade level so the challenge to find the right curriculum and teach it on the level they are on and bring them where they need to be is a priority, which in mind, makes it difficult to do the online, virtual classroom type curriculum, even though it would be the most convenient and budget friendly. 

 

:grouphug:

 

Yeah, I'd be so, so done with those people.

 

Reading: Spalding for everyone. Your older two might feel as if it's a little beneath them, but it doesn't matter. When I taught Spalding in a small, one-room, multi-grade school, all of the children's reading and spelling scores increased by *at least* two grade levels *by Christmas.* Unless there are actual learning disabilities of some kind, you should be able to see vast improvement in a short amount of time. You need something that you can get in and get the job done. Spalding will do that. And it won't break the bank, either: A one-time purchase of a copy of the manual (Writing Road to Reading), and a set of phonogram cards; plus a sewn composition book for each child, each year, and you're good to go. It's everything your youngest will need for English skills; and it will really be enough for your older ones, too, for awhile, until their reading and spelling levels improve.

 

Math: Saxon for all. Give them the placement tests and start from there.

[Kat w]

On the math,

 

I have Saxon maths from 4thr grade all the way up through highschool you can have.

 

It's a spiral program which means it's always reweiing . just make sure you do the practice sheets for mastery.

In Saxon math it's easy to loose the mastery component.

 

From 4th - algebra 1, algebra 2, . they dint have a set geometry book per SE because they weave UT into the algebra. Once the highschool er has completed algebra 2. He also has a complete geometry course completed.

 

I think they may now seell a separate geometry course...not sure on that tho.

 

I've got alot of stuff for alot if different learning styles .

I got the Saxons maths out if the shed. Haven't gone thru all the boxes yet tho BC we are making a school room this weekend.

 

PM me when you get time and let me know what kind of style you think your kiddos are and the grade level you think they are working .

[Kat w]

Wait, list the grades your kids are working and the styles you think they are (viual, auditory etc) BC others may have something they can let go of or recommendations for something cheap.

[Kat w]

Fir the highschool ers, once they get caught up and are of age( ours here is 16) they can dual enroll at the community college. And it's free !!!!

Free college while in highschool. That's what we did.

My oldest graduated highschool one college class short of her AA. for...free!!! Ha-ha. A

 

And the coursework really Ian that different than highschool .

My dyslexic younger daughter did it too, rho she was only about 2/3 of the way don with an AA when she graduated homeschool highschool.

 

It IS the way to go. They get college for free and counts obviously fir highschool too.

[Kat w]

Oh, AND, if they do college courses during highschool , that's all weighted, which means it brings up their highschool GPA tremendously.

Ex: let's assume they get a 4.0 in college math. Fi highschool that counts at a 4.5 yes, five. With beings uo a highschool GPA sooooo much.

 

Ppl winder how kids are graduating highschool with gpa's higher than 4.0 that's how. They are taking college course and those are weighted . it hauls in way more percentages across the board (depending on how many college courses they take)

And the sky's the limit then.

 

I always recommend core classes at least b dual enrolled.

English

Math

And a required humanities of some sort. They are well on their way to a degree and , you've knocked out fir highschool

English

Math

Social studies

[supermomx6]

Kat W, ou have been so helpful, a God-send! Thank you!

 

I think all of my kids are probably more visual learners.

And I want to retake some placement tests to confirm what level I think they really are. I will do this in the next couple of days and let you know for sure. 

[Carrie12345]

This is a tough but interesting question for me, considering I have K/1st, 4th, 8th, and 9th graders this year!  :D   I think my seasoned-ness is a slight complication, since I already own so much of what we're using, and the kids are accustomed to most of the programs and have a "groove".

 

My main advice would be to focus most on the 8th and 9th graders, then the 4th grader, and keep the K'er engaged with "real life" learning activities.

 

I would explore the idea of putting the older two into a cyber charter school, if available.  That might not be the right fit, but it's worth checking out, whether for long-term or as a stop-gap solution while you sort things out.

 

I don't have specific recommendations on inexpensive curriculum but, now that I have one, I would STRONGLY suggest having a laser printer if you're going to be using a lot of free/inexpensive printables.  Seriously, I feel like my life has been changed after almost a decade of homeschooling with an ink jet!  :eek:

 

 

 

[stm4him]

This isn't popular on here, but Hunter (one of the well known posters on here), does recommend for certain families in certain circumstances and apparently I fit those.  I have been homeschooling for ten years so I don't know if that counts or not, but I have tried most of what is out there over the years.  After all of that trying, I have settled on ACE because it is pretty inexpensive (and gets less expensive as you go since you don't have to repurchase score keys) and it gets done consistently around here with plenty of time left over for whatever else we want to learn about or do together.  I can juggle five children that are school age and allow  the sixth and seventh kiddos to tag along with number 5 so that I am only actually teaching out of one manual.  The kids can check their own work (for the most part) and the record keeping is really organized and straight forward.  There are a lot of bad reviews online, but those who have stuck to it over the long haul and done it in a homeschool setting have had great success with it, especially if they added oral reports, book reports, and had their kids use the software they sell for practicing math facts, spelling words, typing, and reading speed/comprehension.  They also have Rosetta Stone, which some people dislike but others have had great success with.  

 

The other thing I like about ACE is that you can have the kids tested for free with their diagnostic test online and find out exactly what gaps they have and know exactly what to order.  You can order a little at a time so that if it doesn't work for you you haven't lost much money.  There is a facebook group of moms that are very willing to help you with any questions you might have.  

 

The website is www.aceministries.com

 

Also, if you are wanting to add some memory work in, I recommend crossseven.org

 

 

[Kat w]

Mommyx6,

You are most certainly welcome. I'm happy to do it :)

 

I have alot of other stuff too. And there are good free things too.

 

Once you see where they are, well go from there. It's gonna be OK :)

 

I'm proud of you for taking this step for your kids. It'll be good for all of you.

I'm always here for help. :) I'm not goin anywhere :)

Edited July 25, 2016 by Kat w

[RenaInTexas]

A good option for your first year may be to do one of the free online charter schools available in Texas. Since your children were enrolled last year, they are all eligible to enroll in the online charter schools. The materials are mailed to you and everything is done online. Some of them have optional meet-up activities for enrolled students. They'd have to enroll full-time; which is 4 classes: Social Studies, Science, Math, and Language Arts. This is a plus for you, because it would leave time to do remediation work as needed.

 

This may not be a long term solution, but may be a good way to ease into it until you can get your bearings. Here is a list of the schools: http://tea.texas.gov/Curriculum_and_Instructional_Programs/Learning_Support_and_Programs/Texas_Virtual_School_Network/Texas_Virtual_School_Network_-_Online_Schools_Program/

 

I would agree that a child failing the STAAR test isn't necessarily something to be overly concerned about, but if the scores were fairly low, I might have some concern.