Back to Homeschooling Week – Day Two
Today is day two of Randi‘s Back to Homeschooling Week. The topic for today is “How do you homeschool?”
Kevin and I have chosen to homeschool our kids through an alternative education program with our local public school. Whew! I’m out of the closet. I know there are some – maybe many – of you right now who are indignantly thinking, “But that’s not homeschooling!” To be honest, I actually considered skipping today’s topic because of how strongly some people feel about this issue, and because I have been hurt by people on other blogs or forums who have accused me of trying to ruin homeschooling in our country. I encourage you, however, to read the rest of my post before you decide whether we are homeschooling or not.
I choose all of our curriculum.
I do all of our teaching, other than a one hour a week science lab class that the kids attend with other homeschooling kids.
The superintendent of the school district is a Christian, homeschooling parent who believes very strongly in the rights of parents. He has gone to bat for us with our state government in order to give parents the rights and authority to do the teaching.
The woman who runs the program is a homeschooling Christian.
Yes, I do a monthly review of what we are learning, and I keep track of our hours, but I was doing that before we joined this program in order to fulfill our state’s legal requirements.
Yes, the kids take a yearly standardized test – but we already did that for our state’s homeschool laws.
I am able to opt out of the controversial WASL test. (Only fellow Washingtonians will know what I’m talking about on this one.)
We have access to funds that we would not have without the program. These funds have allowed the kids to take Tae Kwon Do – $120 a month that we could not afford otherwise. The funds have allowed me to order all of the curriculum I want instead of picking and choosing the materials we can afford.
The kids have access to a once a week science lab class with a wonderful teacher who has resources that I do not have access to. They love, love, love this class.
Yes, the kids are listed as public school students under the Washington State alternative education program. Actually, they are listed as partially-enrolled pubic school students. The other percentage is considered full homeschooling – that is how we get out of the WASL.
So legally, no, we are not homeschooling our children. We can remove our children from the program any time we want – and will if the leadership changes, or the program becomes more restrictive of our freedom as parents.
And, just to reiterate my main points: I choose all of our teaching materials. I do all of our teaching. I maintain my records and schedule. I decide what classes my children will take, what my children will read, what they will study.
So, there you have it. I know many of you will still disagree with our decision to be involved with this program, and that’s okay. We have made the decision that we believe to be the best for our children at this time. That may change; we take the decision year by year.
So, am I kicked out of the homeschooling club?
I’ve enjoyed reading your post, and I would say you’re definitely NOT kicked out of the homeschooling club!
I’m sorry that others would say things that would be so hurtful. We all have to make the best decisions we can for our family and of course they won’t always look like everyone else’s. We do the best with what we’ve been blessed with and trust the rest to God!! Many blessings to you!!
August 7th, 2007 at 10:39 amI don’t see how your schooling is NOT homeschooling. You live in a great school district and that’s a great thing. For someone to say that you’re “ruining homeschooling in our country” is really ridiculous. You’re the teachers, you’re at home..it’s homeschooling. Plain and simple. It’s great that you have access to the things at your public school which the kids need – a lab. Great advantage.
August 7th, 2007 at 10:51 amI’m looking forward to reading what else you have to post this week.
awww hun … not even close to kicked out ((HUGS)). As if ANYONE has ANY right to stand in judgement!! I think you are being a good steward of the resources available to you.
) We have a program called the Career Center thru our country school district that offers 11th and 12th graders the opportunity to attend half-days and learn things like Cosmotology, Small Engine Repair, Dental Assistant, etc. 2 of my kids have gone thru it, and I LOVE it!! I wish they gave me money too! LOL!
August 7th, 2007 at 11:15 amYou have made the right choice for your family.
We also homeschool with a public school “Assistance Program” that works well with us and is truly there just to assist. We aren’t heavily anti-public school, though I understand the ingrained flaws; my son isn’t wired for the public school track and we have opted out.
August 7th, 2007 at 11:41 amLynn, Barbara, Theresa, and Heidi – thanks for all the nice comments!
August 7th, 2007 at 6:13 pmOkay, technically, it’s…whatever. But, in practice, it sounds like homeschooling to me! (My kids would love the science lab part!)
August 7th, 2007 at 7:59 pmI’m sure all of us would be kicked out for some reason or another. LOL
I think it’s great that you live in a place with a support system that allows the kidlets access to opportunities they wouldn’t be able to without the program.
August 8th, 2007 at 4:10 amHey, what is not homeschooling about that? Just because you get to use resources from the government that SHOULD be available to ANYONE who cares that much about their kids’ education. Honestly, if it were like that more everywhere, I would not feel so cheated out of my taxes!!
More like that, I mean, as opposed to the socialistic, nearly communistic way of educating our poor kids in droves, almost like herds of cattle (which is basically just free child care, imo…) that is FORCED on us in this country.
I wish we could go back to community schools, locally paid teachers. I don’t know, it would seem much less like a free babysitting service then, maybe. Certainly people would appreciate their education much more if it was not forced on them.
August 8th, 2007 at 4:56 amOh sorry. I guess I went on a bit of a rant there, huh? (Sorry!)
August 8th, 2007 at 4:56 amM Light – yes, that’s what I mean. Legally, it might be something else, but I am teaching my kids. Thanks for stopping by!
Lisa – yep, we probably would!
Lawanda – that’s ok – rant away!
August 8th, 2007 at 9:21 amI use a virtual academy for homeschool…financial reasons being the main one for using them
So Nope, you’re not kicked out of the club…unless I am too…and then we can start our own 
August 8th, 2007 at 10:09 amI think it sounds fabulous! No kicking out of the club here!
I am really glad there are resources like that out there…and of course, you are doing a great job.
August 9th, 2007 at 6:08 amCarrie2 – sounds good!
Tonia – thanks so much.
August 9th, 2007 at 12:59 pmkicked out of the club for using a program that works for you? Well then I should be out of the club for not using ANY program. LOL
if you’re ruining HS’ing in your country (USA or Canada?) then I’m likely making a bad name for it in mine by not schooling mine by a book at all.
You go girl You do what works for yours and let people mouth if they wish. Think of it this way, if they’re minding YOUR business, they’re not in someone elses.
August 9th, 2007 at 1:07 pmI get it. For years, we homeschooled (really!) via a charter school program. Like you, I chose all curriculum, opted out of testing, and had the kids 24/7. The charter was open to parental choice. Unfortunately, as time has passed, the state’s requirements have made the charter more like “school at home” with its requirements and people are leaving. We now school without the aid of a charter or PS system and while it’s been great having the freedom, I do miss the financial perk (my taxes!) that comes with the public programs. Every family needs to decide what works best – and know that it may change from year to year!
August 9th, 2007 at 2:32 pmPwsmommy – Thanks! And I am in the US.
Kris – Exactly! We take it year to year, and as soon as we feel like our freedoms are being restricted, we will respectfully withdraw.
August 10th, 2007 at 12:54 amThe great thing about homeschooling, it’s whatever you decide it should be for YOUR family. I wish this kind of thing were available/an option around here, but it’s not. I would definitely consider using resources if the public school offered them, but they have made it clear, if you homeschool, we have nothing to do with you (not said in those words, but we cannot use PS resources, and they are very loudly pointing out we do NOT get a provincial diploma for high school grads.) You’re doing great I think!
August 28th, 2007 at 4:54 pmBJ – thanks! And thanks for stopping by.
August 28th, 2007 at 8:55 pm