morgan Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 We homeschool independently, however I am considering using a virtual charter school for next year. One of my options in a new program where the student takes some assessment/learning style tests and then the advisor takes that information and presents a list of pre-approved options that the parents can select from. There is set dollar amount you can not exceed as you choose from the 4 main subject areas (LA, Math, Social Studies, and Science), there are also some enrichment electives. The parent is responsible for teaching, grading, etc and must check in once a week with a teacher and mark attendance. They are planning on tracking progression through assessments throughout the year and basing grades on that. My understanding is there is not formal turning in of assignments (a bit weird to me). This is the first year of the program, so I expect they'll be some issues and policies may change. I like the idea of being able to select from some options (without having the thousands of options currently stressing me out) and also that my daughter is allowed/encouraged to work at different levels for different subjects. And of course I like the idea of free curriculum with the options of online clubs, local field trips etc that provide a bit of community and peers for her. So has anyone particpated in something similar and did it work out? It sounds a bit too good to be true, but I know similar programs exist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajfries Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 My best friend homeschools via a virtual charter school. The student checks in once a week via phone and they send in a report every week of what they've done. The charter has a list of "approved" curriculum & she gets to choose what to use for free. The charter teachers (that you check in with)view curriculum as a tool to use, not as the end all be all, so if DS is suddenly enthralled with the solar system, it's ok to go that route for how ever long. Just as long as progress is being made. I do think they have test at the end of the year just for a general idea of what curriculum level to choose for the following year. I decided against the charter simply because I wanted to do year round schooling. And for Language Arts, they only really offered Moving Beyond the Page & I wasn't quite sold on that. I also had already fallen in love with some curriculum not on their list (HWOT, for example). In my opinion, it's not too good to be true at all! But, it will depend on the individual charter & the individual state laws (we're in Washington, so it's not overly strict with the reporting & such). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 Will your child have to take the state standardized tests? The virtual charters here in CA all require that. My kids test well so it has not been much of an issue for our family but apparently kids who do not pass get a lot of scrutiny & micromanagement from administrators. Our charter provides a stipend that can be used on any materials or classes of my choice so long as they are secular. I can also use religious materials that I buy out of pocket so long as the work samples submitted do not have anything religious on them. I would not personally want to enroll my kids in a charter that limited my choices to only certain curricula. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morgan Posted July 8, 2013 Author Share Posted July 8, 2013 Homeschoolers here in OR are required to take state testing during certain grades and it doesn't really bother me to have to take them annually as part of a charter. However, if they are marking progress through testing, I will need to find out how much testing will be required, as I don't want it to be huge hassle throughout the school year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 Homeschoolers here in OR are required to take state testing during certain grades and it doesn't really bother me to have to take them annually as part of a charter. However, if they are marking progress through testing, I will need to find out how much testing will be required, as I don't want it to be huge hassle throughout the school year. Students enrolled in charter schools are public school students, not homeschooled students. They are subject to whatever public school policies are regarding testing, on-going evaluations, end-of-year promotion, and more. I would think that this charter school's web site would have that information? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSmomof2 Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 We did a public school at home program in our state similar to what you're describing for one year. It was ok and not overly micromanaged. Our teacher was nice, but not particularly helpful. Dc had to participate in annual state testing, but we're in a state that requires annual assessment for homeschoolers anyway, so that wasn't a big issue for me. We didn't re-enroll because the benefits just weren't outweighing the benefits of homeschooling independently. This program's approved curriculum list seems to shrink each year and no longer included things I wanted to use. We also attend a weekly homeschool co-op that is all day long. Since it is a homeschool co-op, and classes are taught by parents, I could not include them as part of the public school at home program. When dc were younger, this wasn't a big deal, as we could catch up the next day. But, now that they are older, we can't afford to lose a day of lessons every week and try to cram it all into 4 days. The classes they take at co-op and friendships there are more important to me than the public program. Our homeschool requirements aren't that difficult here, so the benefits of the program just weren't there for us. Here it's very easy to enroll and withdraw from these programs, even during the school year. If it's the same in OR, you could try it out and withdraw if it doesn't fit your family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busymotherof4 Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 We use a public charter and love it. It has been a good experience for our family. Testing is the big drawback. We have to do scantron testing twice a year and the CA star testing in the spring. When my daughter had to do the CA writing test they had mandatory test prep class she had to take. The kids haven't minded any of this. They keep it fun for them. We are free to use religious curriculum if we use our own money. The teacher we work with suggested sonlight when my daughter was bored with her history text. I had to buy the IG and a few of the books. I like the accountability. This means I don't let life get in the way for too long as we meet every 4 weeks and I need to show progress. We joined with the attitude that we could drop it at any time if it didn't work for our family or made it more difficult. We will be starting our 3rd year with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrissiK Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 My sister-in-law is part of a charter that is like that and she loves it. She's got a lot of freedom. She has a teacher who checks in periodically and they have a good working relationship. Her charter accepts students from neighboring counties, and she keeps bugging me to join, but it's just too much of a distance for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairProspects Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 We used a charter for 2 years. The first year there were dollar limits, but no limits on curriculum selection, and it was a great choice for us. The second year they went to "approved" curriculum options, but that was ok since our choices were still on the list. For this next year pretty much all non-traditional curriculums are gone and we are not even participating anymore. I wouldn't want to go with a charter that has set, approved curriculum choices. The approved options can change every year and it gives too much power back to the school when it comes to methodology, which is one of the reasons we left PS in the first place, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runningmom80 Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 I haven't used anything like that, but I would love to! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
threeofakind Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 I go through one- an umbrella school. I like it. The only thing they don't pay for is religious items- but other than that just about anything you want to use is approved, which gives you a lot of choice! They will pay for sports and art classes, etc. They have a library and offer kits to check out. They will also organize field trips and other activities during the school year (optional to do them). I like it because we could not do everything we do and have the kids do- our budget is very tight to start with. I would not be able to use the material and curriculum we do, because we could simply not afford it. In return, we have monthly check ins- could just be an email or if we go in to check something out we can chat with the contact teacher and that counts- I really like our contact teacher- very easy going and open minded. I also do 2 reports a year and we turn in samples 4 times a year- again this is very easy going. They do have to so testing starting in 3rd grade. I feel what they offer is so worth doing these few things a year. I had a couple options when I started and the other one sounded a bit more strict and a bit more involved so I went with the one that sounded relaxed and glad we did! So if you haven't called and talked to them yet I would- I think you can get a feel for them right away and if it will work for you guys! Good luck! :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morgan Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 Thanks everyone for the replies! I did finally get to speak to the curriculum person at the charter school and she provided me with a list of "approved" curriculum choices and explained the budget per student for the year and I wasn't impressed. I honestly don't think you could homeschool a child adequately on the amount per student ($500) they are allowing, given the limited choices they provided. I can see, where under the right circumstances, a school like this woudl be awesome; but this one doesn't sound so great :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briansmama Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 We used a charter for 2 years. The first year there were dollar limits, but no limits on curriculum selection, and it was a great choice for us. The second year they went to "approved" curriculum options, but that was ok since our choices were still on the list. For this next year pretty much all non-traditional curriculums are gone and we are not even participating anymore. I wouldn't want to go with a charter that has set, approved curriculum choices. The approved options can change every year and it gives too much power back to the school when it comes to methodology, which is one of the reasons we left PS in the first place, This. We have participated in a charter for homeschoolers in CA and we were free to spend our educational funds on anything deemed educational for our child, provided that it was secular. We used the funds on classes, art supplies, and science kits, as well as literature and other things. The program was utilized by many homeschoolers in the area, including unschoolers and lots of others using eclectic/holistic methods (we were primarily waldorf-inspired at that time. I'd be very hesitant to sign up with a charter who pre-selected curricula options. I was fine turning in quarterly samples and reviewing what ds learned. I was even fine with standardized testing beginning after 2nd grade. I would not be ok with limited curriculum options. That would cancel out any benefits for our family, as I love the freedom to choose exactly what I feel will work for my individual child and the ability to tweak/completely change things up at any time if necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briansmama Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 Thanks everyone for the replies! I did finally get to speak to the curriculum person at the charter school and she provided me with a list of "approved" curriculum choices and explained the budget per student for the year and I wasn't impressed. I honestly don't think you could homeschool a child adequately on the amount per student ($500) they are allowing, given the limited choices they provided. I can see, where under the right circumstances, a school like this woudl be awesome; but this one doesn't sound so great :( Yeah, that's a bummer. The charter school we were with in CA allotted $900/per semester per child, to be used on anything educational. You could use the entire amount on gymnastics, piano, science classes, etc. it was wonderful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
threeofakind Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 That is a bit too bad, we get 1900 a kid for the year, so we use it all! And sounds like they are not as flexible, hope you find what works for you then!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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