Has anyone heard anything about K12? I found out today that I can enroll my son in the California Virtual Academy which is a cyber-charter school and get the K12 curriculum (plus supplies) for "free". The drawback is that the charter school is a form of public education and thus has certain rules/regs to follow. The plus side is that K12 seem to be a very good curriculum that follows my general philosophy about what I want to teach to my kids. Since this upcoming school year will be our first full blown school year (this year was K and mostly we have only worked on reading and math in the last couple of months) it might help me to have something more laid out. Also we'll be having a baby in the next couple of weeks and there is a good chance that my dh will be having major back surgery in the coming months, along with the fact that I am planning to open a daycare so that we have an income, but I can still be at home to take care of everyone. I think the structure and pre-made lessons of using the charter school/K12 would help to keep us going and on track, but at the same time everything will need to be done by the end of the school year (June) and that might be difficult if things get to be really crazy around here. If I go with my original plan to buy various curriculums and make my own schedule then I don't have to stress over not getting school work done, but at the sometime having someone to report to will keep my from getting lazy or putting things off. Unfortunatley California is not a hs friendly state. I planned on hsing under a private school affidavit, but there can be problems and harassment from the government. By going through a charter school I wouldn't have to worry about any of that. Anyway, it is getting really late and I can't see staight anymore. I just wanted to hear from you all as to what you think. I'm very leary about getting my kids involved in the public system, but it might be a good option of a year or two. THanks for your ideas and feedback, Mariann
It would depend on WHY you homeschool. For me personally, this would not be an option, because part of the reason we homeschool has to do with not wanting government control over my children's education. If a child is enrolled in this program, he is considered a "public school" child, and is subject to whatever the governemt decides. I know California is a difficult state for HS'ers, but I also know that HSLDA is there strong and has fought many battles in California. If you decide not to do K12, you need to seriously think about joining HSLDA. So my advice is for you and your DH to seriously examine WHY you HS in the first place and if distance learning will allow you not to compromise those reasons. If you DO decide to join K12, please call your child a "distant learner" instead of "homeschooler". This is NOT meant as a judgement in any way; as the number of "distant learners" increase, people see that and think it's the "same" as homeschooling. Sometimes here it's hard to fight those additudes. Yes, it's a valid choice for some families: yes, it's done at home; yes, you will have MANY of the same issues that HS'ers have. I mean, you still have to fight with your kids to get their work done, juggle home and school, and are with them 24/7 same as us!
I also live in California and in my small homeschooling support group 2 families have decided to go with the K12 program. They went to the local open meeting to see the books and meet the local teachers. They said that seeing it in person was their deciding factor. It is very rigorous, mandatory state testing( or you will be dropped from the program) and monthly meeting that you have to go to so you can meet with their teachers. The 2 families that did sign up for it are families that school at home not home school. Meaning they like the textbooks, testing, progress reports and teacher guidance. No flexibility at all in this program, that is why I personally turned it down. I like homeschooling year round and doing school work around travel schedules that my husband has with his work( thats because we get to go with him) and choosing what my children will learn and at their own pace. Also I have had zero problems with filing an R-4 ( private school form)here in Kern county. One family in our homeschooling group has filed an R-4 for 15 years with no problems either.We call up our county superintendent an ask for an R-4 to be sent to us, we fill it out, send it back and no problems. Actually if anything our county is very good to homeschoolers. When I call them for the papers each year, they say" oh great, we'll send it right out". They also include paperwork on any statelaws that have been changed that might effect homeschoolers. If you are interested in the K12 program they do have a 2 day get to know us fair coming up on June 19th. You can go to their website and look up the local events in your area too. Also like Jackie said, you need to take a look at why you homeschool in the first place and that might help you decide which way you would like to go. But with any curriculum that you are considering for your child, you need to touch it and look throught to see if it right for them.
Mariann.... I certainly can understand your need to have something laid out since you will have your hands full both from a *physical and financial* standpoint. I can sympathize and I do. HUGS!!! *Free* does sound nice. However, we all know the saying *nothing is free* Well, that can never be truer than in this case.I would tend to be concerned in your need to *lighten* your load, you may actually *weigh it down*. I say this because having that kind of control and supervision brings another whole set of *inconveniences and beliefs* that I wouldn't want to deal with. The thought of HAVING to turn assignments in that are time consuming, full of twaddle and otherwise boring, would drive me insane. Each and every laid out curriculum, even the good ones, have such things that accompany them. So its nice to *pitch* it if necessary. I personally like to choose *my battles* over home schooling issues if it comes to State intervention, and have control over what I teach my children. Also take heart that K and 1st are relatively easy grades. It may not seem that way now. I remember thinking *Wow first grade, I better step my teaching up a notch or two*. If I only would have relaxed a little more with that first one, I probably wouldn't have stressed myself out so much with worry. LOL One suggestion that might lighten your load is that you can get something laid out in the basic subjects like reading, writing and math. That way you have some *time savers* and feel like you have a sense of accomplishment. They are the only skill subjects that really HAVE to be covered. Even at that, you can take your time on them. No rush! Science and history *will be obedient*. That means they can take a back seat for now until you have the baby, open your daycare and your hubby has surgery. The blessing of home school is that it mercifully adjusts to real life *goings on*. There are so many wonderful laid out ones where you can pick and choose like language arts and math. But keep the price reasonable. Sonlight is good. So is Rod and Staff and Christian Liberty. Sonlight and Rod/Staff have good teacher's editions. Its so true when we join those type of schools that its just bringing *public school home*. Many people don't know this. I don't want to add to your *worries* but rather encourage you to make a heartfelt and prayerful decision. Also things can look different in a day or two.! So take care of mommy first! Big Hug and blessings! Tina
I haven't read all responses, but this just dawned on me. Does your oldest meet CA's compulsory age for school attendence? I have seen HSLDA defeat school districts on that simple of a thing. The school district was throwing a fit about a boy our riding his bike during school hours. Turns out the kid is 6 and in IL the compulsory age is 7-16. Just a thought.
