??? for homeschooling parents
 

I am soooooooo tired of getting the run-around from our local school district regarding Keith. Our doctor said 4 years ago that she wanted him tested for learning disabilities. But no one will do it. They have "procedure they have to follow". Please!! Give me a break!! Enough already! At this point, he is failing almost all of his freshman classes. Last year, at the end of 8th grade, I begged them to hold him back because I did not feel that he was ready to move on to high school. But they wouldn't even hear of it.

So here's where I'm at. I'm ready to pull him out of school and homeschool him. I've heard about homeschooling programs that are done on the computer completely and that have teachers who then grade the child's work after they complete it. I've even heard of a program where they provide a computer just for the homeschooling and that computer cannot be used for any other thing.

Do any of you use something like this? What DO you use? How do you feel about whatever you are using? Is it any good? How expense is it?

As far as expenses go, I just talked to Keith's counselor at school. He has to take at least 3 or 4 of his classes again through the mail. At a cost of $150 EACH! So by the time I pay for that, I might as well pay for the cost of homeschooling him. That's my feeling anyway.

Advice, folks! I need advice, please!!

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

I have no idea what this is about... I just found it when searching... free tuition... totally online.

Dunno

http://www.k-12freehomeschool.org/?a...FQEoGgodBjXbDg

But.. we used School Of Tomorrow. You can order curriculum at http://www.schooloftomorrow.com.

There are online tests that Keith can take and they will tell him where he is in each subject. He might order 9th grade curriculum in one subject... 10th in another... and 8th in another...

It finds out where he is and starts hmi where he needs to be. Not too far advanced... and not far behind his current proficiency.

We had 3 kids and it cost us $900 or so... So I am assuming between $300-$400 dollars.

We don't homeschool now... but when we did we used SOT and liked it.

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

I use the Abeka curriculum with Kara, who is in 10th grade. She moves at her own pace, and I grade the work using the answer keys that come with the program.

With Michael, I use a variety of things because he's classified in 4th grade, but does 5th or 6th grade work in some subject areas. Some subjects I use Switched on Schoolhouse because he just does better with the interactive science and math programs.

There is a screening process available for most curriculum programs to see where you need to start the child, and it's always good to do those first.

Pricing varies, but on average most programs run between $300-$450 if you purchase all new software or books. However, you can always look at the retail places to find what you want then check ebay and save a ton of money on the actual purchases. I often find what I need for the kids on ebay for around $200 for each child.

If you're going to homeschool-- make sure and register with HSLDA and whatever agency is local to your area to provide an umbrella protection program. We use Gateway Christian Schools in Memphis. There is another one that is nationwide and you can register with them online. I can't remember the name of it at the moment. These places will keep a transcript of grades that you turn in to them, and provide those transcripts to colleges or potential employers that request them upon graduation. They will also answer any questions you have about choosing curriculum, provide info on curriculum fairs in your local area, etc.

I'll email the family in our homeschool co-op that uses the nationwide one and get the info to post here.

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

Thanks, guys! I appreciate your answers.

Any other thoughts from anyone else?

Keith is REALLY objecting to this. What would you do in that case?

This is all pretty overwhelming right now. I appreciate your help!

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

Find the local homeschool co-op and go check it out before making a decision--and take him along. Group support is important. They have activities, field trips, etc for homeschooled kids. There are all kinds of opportunities for homeschooled kids to do apprentice work for school credit. Your local homeschool co-op can help you find those things. It's really not as bad as he thinks it sounds. :)

As far as the problem goes with the school system not doing the promised testing- Call the local school board office and find out who the advocate for children with learning disabilities is. That person will fight for the rights of the child-- and should get the testing done instead of giving you excuses.

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

I used Christian Liberty Academy out of Chicago for 11th and 12 grade. However, it was more of a program where you as a parent would be grading. It sounds like you want someone (with an education background) to be more involved.
This being the case, my younger sisters used the Beka course out of Pensacola FL. They actually watched videotaped teachers teaching full classrooms.

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

Homeschooling is a great idea, Margie! Just to address a couple of points:

1. Definitely take Tina's advice, look into your local support groups, and make sure you know what your state's requirements are. Oklahoma is a VERY easy state to homeschool in, but some states are a little more tightfisted about it.

2. My middle daughter, Sarah, wasn't too thrilled with the idea of homeschooling this year, so we made some compromises to make her happy--ultimately it's our decision, but I also want her to enjoy the experience--we enrolled her in the NOAH basketball program so she could continue her sport, Jeff allowed her to still pick out new clothes for the school year just as if she was going to public school (this was one of my little fashionista's main concerns, LOL!!!!), and we have helped her maintain contact with her two best friends, and they still spend the night with each other, talk on the phone, etc., on a regular basis.

3. Curriculum--I recommend finding a local store that sells curriculum so you can actually pick it up and look at it before you buy it and bring it home. I chose Bob Jones this year and I LOVE it, BUT it is very time-consuming preparing the lessons. It's a lot more challenging, IMO, and my kids really have done GREAT with the BJU Press Math and Science. Hannah was almost failing math and science last year, and she's now making (mostly) A's--and it's definitely not because the curriculum is easy. The one on one attention makes a big difference, and a test isn't just a test--it's an evaluation tool. If Hannah flunks a math test, I go back and cover all the material again until she understands it before we move on--an advantage they don't normally have in public school. (In our house, anything less than a B, and I go back and recover the missed material--only knowing 75% of the material isn't acceptable to me. ;) ) Normally, though, if you go at a reasonable pace and make sure they're understanding as they go, retaking a test is rarity.

I'm not familiar with Abeka, but I will say that I do NOT recommend School of Tomorrow/ACE, especially for high school students. (Although their Pre-K/K reading program is good) Not only does the material teach bad study habits with the testing/checkup format, but IMO the upper grade math/science is academically inferior.

That said, I used ACE when I was in high school, so it isn't like I didn't learn anything--and plenty of other students have done well with it, but in general, there are much better courses out there. (Again, JMO, so no one get offended plz--I know a lot of Christian schools have used ACE.)

Also, if he's high school age, you need to check into the requirements for record keeping, but I will also add that accreditation is unnecessary. Many colleges will ignore the accreditation of private/christian/home schools anyway and still require a GED in addition to college entrance exams. So make sure you keep really good records, keep a list of his credits, and make sure he has enough. Most home schoolers have MORE than enough credits, and excel on college entrance exams. Just don't get trapped into the idea that you have to be affiliated with an accredited school in order for him to attend college. ;) I attended a non-accredited christian school, was required to take my GED, and I still was able to apply for and receive both a music scholarship and an academic scholarship.

IF his objections have to do with his friends, make sure he maintains contact, and look into a co-op. If he's into sports, find the local homeschooling sports league, and sign him up.

Some kids struggle in school because they're bored out of their skulls.

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

That was what the first grade teacher who taught my son told me. She said he was an exceptionally bright child who was extremely bored with the classroom setting. She suggested that I try homeschooling him for the first semester of second grade-- and if I felt that I couldn't handle it, I could always enroll him back in public school beginning the second semester. I took her advice, and have never looked back. I think it's the best decision I ever made regarding his education. In fact after seeing his accomplishments in the early elementary years, I wish I had taken the girls out of public school much earlier than I did.

Now if I could just get Michael to love practicing his cursive handwriting skills more. He can do it if he tries, he's just such a messy writer it's easier to let him print so I can read his answers.

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

Again, I thank you for the great advice. All of you!

I called my SIL who moved to Washington (state) so that she could homeschool her grandchildren this year. Their DIL had homeschooled the grandkids the year before and it did not go well at all. Pam says that things have gone much better this year. hooray!

Anyhow, she also had some really good advice. I need to discuss this with Walt before we make any firm decision. I'll be completely honest and tell you that the idea of me homeschooling Keith is terrifying. I'm not sure that I am up to the task at all. But I also don't really see any other alternative. I am so disgusted with the whole school system here.

It doesn't make sense to me to "try" something, then have a meeting, then "try" something else and have a meeting about that, and then.............. and on and on it goes until FINALLY you've exhausted all the ideas. And then at that point, they will decide to test Keith to see where he is at.
Wouldn't it make much more sense to test him NOW and then begin his education from that point? If they are requiring him to do 9th grade work when he is only capable of 7th grade work at this point, he is doomed to fail. So start with the 7th grade material and move him forward from there. Don't start with the 9th grade stuff and hope something clicks for him! Do you agree? The other thing that concerns me is the possibility that, while he might be capable of 9th grade work, maybe he has a reading disability (like dyslexia or something). In that case, let's address THAT issue. You see what I am saying?

I have been to the Superintendent of Schools. In fact, that is the reason why we had the first meeting we ever had. Before that, even when I asked for a meeting or something - anything! - I was told that he had "high F's" so he didn't qualify for assistance! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for letting me vent, guys. I wish I knew an answer. I'm open if you have any better ideas.

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

Ashley homeschooled 3rd through 6th, and then 11th & 12th grades. Zac was homeschooled from 6th through 9th. I am a big advocate of homeschooling, but it does take discipline and lots of time. My kids always did A Beka - Ashley with videos and Zac with CD's. It cost about $1000 per year when they were doing it, and that included the books. You have to send the videos'/DVD's back by certain dates - they're pretty strict on that stuff.

With Ashley, I graded everything and recorded the grades with A Beka, as well as with our covering umbrella school here in TN, which was required. By the time Zac came along, I let A Beka do all the grading, since I was more pressed for time. It cost a little more, but it was worth it to me. They issued the grades on his report card.

There are things in A Beka that we didn't agree with, since they are a Baptist school and are totally against Spiritual gifts, tongues, etc. But my kids just knew to ignore that kind of stuff. They learned a lot from A Beka; I think it's a great course.

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

My friend here is using something called Connections Academy

http://www.connectionsacademy.com/

So far, this is the one I am the most impressed with. My only questions for them at this point are:

1) can you enroll at this point in the year? Or do we have to wait until next school year?

2) do they do placement testing before he starts? If not, then I think I'm going to look elsewhere.

Have any of you seen this before?

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

If your a tax payer they must by law test your child. Check with your local Library, in most cases like ours, they have outreach with other home schooled parents, can get you in touch and let you know what your rights are how go about it. Hope this helps.

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

MISINFORMATION!!! This is not always the case. She needs to go to the HSLDA site and read the laws and requirements for the state she lives in. Some can require testing, others can't.

In some states, if children are registered under an umbrella program operating as a satellite of a registered Christian school program the state can't mandate testing.

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

I've heard enough good things about it from people on forums who use it to know that if it were made available in Tennessee I would at least try it. It looks like a great setup. Best of all, you wouldn't be out any money to try it. You might want to request more information from the site.

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

HUH?????

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

The meaning must have been lost somewhere in the translation. :D

(note: In case you missed it, one of her other posts she said she uses a translator to post here)

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

My point was check with the home schooled in your area, not all are run by flakes. Library's are a good source and have info on contacts.
When we lived in UT it had a pretty good chapter group, about forty parents met the second of each month at the library, along with the school superintendent who sit in once every three months to answer questioning.

My son was home schooled, I went through them to learn what my rights were as a parent. My son had the right to join sports, driver ed and sit in classes of his choice,plus scholarships that are open to home schooled kids. The group here is very informed, so we were blessed.

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

So you told her that because she was a taxpayer, that by law her kid must be tested.

I was correct. Definitely something lost in the translation. :)

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

As tax payer who pays into your school district in your area you are entitled to having your child tested by the school. I had my son tested by the school in our district to see where he placed, so yes it can and does happen. You got work with the school.

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

Okay, first of all if the school isn't working in the best interest of the child, you DON'T have to work with the school.

Anyway, that's fine, if Margie is "entitled" as a taxpayer to have him tested if she WANTS to, but you made it sound like as a taxpayer she's REQUIRED to have him tested. LOL!!!!!

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

OHHHH, LOL!! That explains a lot, thanks for the INFO! :D

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

Unfortunately, it seems that in our school district, you are not, as a parent, ENTITLED to have your child tested. That is my big argument with the school counselor right now. I have begged, pleaded, theatened, bent over backwards, stood on my head and done everything else possible just trying to convince them that I want our FIRST step in this process to be testing Keith. But they absolutely refuse!

It doesn't make sense to me to try to all the other tricks to help him get on track (leaving a set of books at home, having me sign his agenda book every day saying that I saw his finished homework, etc., etc.) if there is a valid reason why he has not been able to get the grades. If we test him and find out that he is just goofing off and that there is nothing keeping him from being able to learn, then fine. I'll come down on him like a ton of bricks! but I don't think it's fair to a child to beat them into the ground over grades and then find out years into this that they've been dyslexic or learning disabled in another way all this time. That is the reason I want him to tested. To rule everything else out!

Unfortunately, our school system seems to be useless when it comes to this! They flat out REFUSE to do it. I even asked, "What about the letter that his pediatrician sent to you telling you that she wanted to have it done?" They said that her field is not education it is medicine. So they don't have to do the testing even tho she has requested it!

Unbelievable!!! Do I sound as frustrated as I feel???????

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

Remember, homes chool is beneficial to many kids (like it was me) not because of the curriculum, but because of the school environment. I was not good around my peers and had a big target on my front, and back. Once I was able to relax at home I grades soared! (And the home school work was NOT easier than what I had in high school)

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

Exactly! Hannah and I were reviewing her science for a test today, and the current topic is DNA, tRNA, mRNA, ribosomes, cells, cell mutation, etc. She's making straight A's in Science right now!

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

I would expect no less from your daughter! :)

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

:D

I'm really enjoying going through her science with her, because it is so much more in depth than what I had--I'm learning a lot!

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

Science (and even math -especially probability and statistics) ARE fun.

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

She was saying that by law, the school district has to provide testing for learning disabilities if requested by the parent. Which has been true in every single state I have lived in. They have to provide that testing even for homeschooled students.

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

How do I get them to do that???????

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

Good luck. It's not easy in some places.

I'm going to pm you a link because I don't have time to find information that'll actually help you right now. I'll explain more in my pm. :)

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

One of the things you might want to do is write down your objectives in home schooling. I have six children we have homeschooled the older ones. Each one is different and as you get more used to it you will change to fit your style. The biggest mistake we found was to think we had to duplicate public school at home. Bad mistake. Try a few different angles, find which one works for you. I will tell you that once you find your niche you will never go back to public school.

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

Thanks for saying it a lot clearer then I. Same here we have lived in CA, NM,NV, UT and ID we have never had problems with the local schools. I must say UT was the best by far, the parents/ school was very involved in working as a unit,making sure the kids got what they needed.

I'm sorry Marg is having such a time with this, maybe you need to contact a lawyer. Yes I been beside myself as well if I was going through the hassle they are giving you.

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

You have got to wonder what was going through that counselor's mind at that point. :jaw

All humor aside as TJJJ said once you find your niche you will never go back to public school. This is very true you have to find what works for you.
I found the Robinson curriculum and I love it. It focuses on math, reading and writing. It was written by a scientist who had 6 children his wife was homeschooling them. She passed away and they had a whole filing cabinet of curriculum for K-12, but no teacher. They offer the curriculum for $200 and it has every book you need (accept math) on the 22 cd's you just print them out. It even has the 1611 bible, an encyclopedia, a dictionary and so on. They have plenty of info online that explains how it works and why it works. They use the Saxon math books and you have to buy those, but you get a discount on them because you use the Robinson curriculum. This curriculum really frees up my time.

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

http://www.literacydirectory.org/?op...earch&state=OH

Pick the one closest to your area and call. Tell them you are concerned your son may have learning disabilities and the school he attends refuses to get him tested for learning disabilities. They should be able to help, or at the very least point you to where you can get help.

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

You might consider the American School based out of Lansing, Illinois. Although it is not Christian based, per se, it's just basic curriculum. It is a fully accredited high school program.

My oldest daughter graduated (I only had to help her once or twice) and my other daughter is currently in her first year. Check it out. It is a High School Program. They score and grade everything, and keep all the records. They mail the tests back. They have a "General Education" Program as well as a "College Prep Program."

It's around $900 for all four years. It's been around forever. It's books and handwritten tests primarily. However, I think the best part is that it is accredited and you don't have to worry about the recordkeeping yourself.

Other than that, we used ABeka, ACE and Switched on Schoolhouse for their early years. Homeschool has always worked well for us.

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

How assertive have you gotten with the school? I think you should demand attention for this! Explain the whole thing and demand some help. If that doesn't work, then yes, I think homeschooling him is a good option. I homeschooled both my kids briefly through Accelerated Christian Education. I enrolled them in the umbrella program which I think is VERY important because they keep the records for you and you are "watched over". That way, if you decide to enroll him in school again it is a transfer.....which is really important. Otherwise they will test him and place him and who knows where he might be placed.

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

That's just the problem. I HAVE been extremely assertive! Many, many times! Our doctor wrote letters to the school demanding that they test Keith to see if there is a reason he is not succeeding. I even went to the school superintendent! I got more action from her than from anyone else. But still no testing. She, at least, organized a meeting with the school psychologist, the counselor and all of his teachers. We brainstormed and came up with a few things we could do to "help him" do better. But that was back in NOVEMBER. And it only happened after four years of banging my head up against a wall. No one even considered scheduling a follow-up meeting to see if any of these things have helped until I called on Thursday and fought with the counselor AGAIN. She then told me she would schedule a meeting and that I would hear from her on Friday morning with a time and date. On Friday the only email I got from her said that she had contacted everyone involved and would get back with me regarding the time and date.

See what I'm up against??? I swear to you that we've hired idiots to work in our school system. Do I have any other choices? Can you give me ideas? The only thing I have come up with the homeschooling idea. I am leaning more and more that direction. But this is a HUGE decision! Pray for us that we will handle this the way that GOD wants us to.

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

I guess you can either homeschool or contact a lawyer. I would probably homeschool because I don't have the energy to fight that battle. :) But, seriously, it sounds like they have let him fall through the cracks and they sound negligent.

Re: ??? for homeschooling parents
 

Some of the problems that we are seeing is the no child left behind fiasco. It sounds good, but it doesn't work because now you can't fail a child if he is not producing. Another program that does not work.