Are you considering homeschooling or virtually schooling, but don’t know where to start? There are advantages and disadvantages to both, you just have to find out which one is a good fit for your family.
Traditional Homeschool
Traditional homeschool is homeschooling at home on your own. Some people decide to use a boxed curriculum, while others find free resources and workbooks to teach their children. Traditional homeschool gives you a lot of flexibility and you don’t have to answer to anyone (except the forms that you must submit to the government). However, you do not get resources such as free materials free curriculum, teachers or tutors…you are on your own (for some this could be an advantage rather than a disadvantage). If you are considering traditionally homeschooling, the first thing that you need to do is to consider all of the pros and cons to educating your kids at home, find some You Tube videos on the subject, and really pray about it! Next, look into the homeschool laws in your state and fill out all necessary forms.
Start here: http://www.hslda.org/laws
Virtual School
If you are considering using a state certified virtual school, you can research K12 or Connections Academy to see which one meets your approval. They have a school in your state. With the virtual school option, you get a state certified teacher, a set curriculum, and free materials delivered to your home. In addition, you also get to participate in social events and activities, students are still given standardized testing, and receive a state approved diploma at the end of high school. Another great advantage is that you can easily transition to college and receive financial aid just like other public school students. The disadvantage is that their is not as much flexibility, you have required student portfolios to submit, you are accountable to teachers and the state, and you must meet weekly progress in order to meet state requirements.
Whatever option you choose to educate your child at home, know that you can do it! There will not always be easy days, but it is well worth it.
I'm Tracy Kelly- a Christian, wife, and homeschooling mom of 3 amazing kids, and welcome to my blog! 