Hi everyone, I know I'm new to this forum but I'm considering pulling my son out of public school because it's so bad here. I'm looking for some online course/classes to work with him at home. I've looked at K12, Aventa and Insight and have had many teacher friends telling me how bad they are. I found a new company looking to start out with a different approach (so they say). I don't know anything about them other than what they've advertised on their website. Their teachers are state certified, the classes come with an e-textbook and I'll have access to my son's progress. They also give my son access to their teachers through several avenues (e-mail, voicemail, forums, etc.). They're called SE Webinar. They're offering their classes at about half the cost of K12, Aventa, etc. Limited time, limited registration, etc. Does anyone know anything about them? Does anyone have recommendations? I don't know the first thing about creating curriculum to teach him myself but I may have to in the end.
I haven't heard about them. Sorry. I also have not heard many good things about any online courses. While they work for some students, you will have to ask yourself why you want to homeschool. Personally, I do not want anybody telling me what my daughter needs to learn, what she needs to cover, and when her lessons need to be completed. If we need to stop and focus on a specific area, I want to be able to do this without "falling behind". If I need to ease up on a certain subject so we can hit another harder, I want to do this. If we want to take a week or two off of school, I want to be able to do this, too. Also, I am not a fan of a one-size-fits-all curriculum. Even if they give a few options, it still isn't the same as being able to pick what will best fit your child. The education is limited to what the online program agrees to, not what is best for your child. You can still purchase a curriculum and not have to create it yourself. There is a lot out there that is ready to go for the teacher and student. ...and welcome!!!
Thanks Patty! My biggest concern is preparing my son properly for college. I'm afraid I don't have slightest idea where to start. I've heard the term Common Core Standards tossed around a lot and I don't know whether it applies to requirements for the GED, public school or the standardized tests (ACT/SAT). All I know is how little I know and that there has to be something better than what we have at our public schools. -Tom
Okay, I think what you are referring to are the State virtual schools. Most of the online virtual schools can be paid for out of pocket. When you do that, you can use as much or as little of the program as you prefer. You are in control of the child's education using the online school as a curriculum provider. However, the virtual public schools are different. They are under the control of the public school system, and you as a parent answer to the state as far as how much school is done each day, how much of the curriculum is used and WRT to testing. In regards to K12....my kids use it as part of our state virtual school . The program itself is pretty good. The science and history are quite rigorous. The math and LA are okay, but as a long-time homeschooler, I know of other programs that work better. The k12 program is a pretty good program. However, I do not like the requirements of our virtual school and I prefer the freedom that regular homeschooling gives us. I don't think I will reenroll next year.
Yes. Tom states that the teachers are state certified, so I am assuming the program is state funded. I am refering to any program online, whether it is through a charter or K12 that does not allow for complete parental control. EDITED:changed a word.
Honestly Patty, I don't know if the program is state funded, only that the teachers are state certified. I assume that means that they have their teaching certificate within their state. My son is 15 and is a freshman in high school. My concern is how he's progressing in school. He's a bright kid, but is having a lot of problems with some basic concepts. I'm working with him on those subjects but I just feel that the teachers either don't care or are completely inept at what they're being paid to do. I've e-mailed SE Webinar to get more information. Apparently, their courses are pretty self-paced. They're overseen by certified teachers but each student goes as fast as they need to through the materials. I need to ask them about more of the questions regarding some of the things that FairFarmHand has brought up. I need to know a lot more really, like how well these courses cover concepts in the GED, if there's a checklist of what he needs to know to prepare well for the ACT/SATs, if my school district/state will cover any of the costs, etc. Ultimately, I'd be willing to pay for it if it means a better education for my son. But, I wouldn't be opposed to a little help either.
As far as I know, there are many homeschool curriculum, such as kumon, T4L, I can read, Singapore math, beestar... My daughter used kumon for a while. It's cool. But the work is heavy and DD can't stand it... I currently use beestar for DD. It's systematic, interesting and cheaper than kumon. Lisa
