Homely thread for homeschoolers - DPChallenge Forums

02/03/2007 06:37:19 PM · #1

Again, i can't presume to speak for all homeschoolers, but the mast majority that i deal with follow the state's guidelines of graduation requirements. 4 english classes, 3 math (one which much be algebra), 3 history classes (civics, us history, western civ), 3 sciences (2 must be physical science and biology), 2 health/pe, and electives.'

i think that is right.

also, going 'beyond' the parents knowldege is a very valid concern. for my family, i htink we've got it under control. I teach high school subjects to adults up through geometry, and my husband is a mechanical engineer, so if we decide to continue through high school, we're okay.

a lot of the homeschooler i know, joined the public school system in the ninth grade (and did very very very well) or went to a private school. others go to the community college and get their GED (and if you haven't seen a GED test recently, they are NOT easy), or join adult education programs that allow them to get their high school diploma through the community college. Also, a program that our CC has (and is becoming increasingly popular across the country) is a form of dual enrollment. at 16 years of age, a student (any student, public private, homeschool) can enroll in selected community college classes (for free!) and finish up that way. Others, whose parents can, continue on and graduate with a homeschool diploma. With the exception of UNC, most major colleges are clamouring to get homeschoolers to apply.

the questions and concerns you have are very common. homeschoolers have already dealt with them, either because of experience, or because they are on photography forums that discuss it (hahahahah).

I'm not saying all homeschoolers are adept at what they are doing. (when one family I worked with for about 3 years said they were going public, i rejoiced and strongly encouraged it) or that they should be doing it. but, i will venture that most of them run very well. not without their bumps and moments, but usually very well.

i apologize for the crazy punctuation and spelling. i'm on a new/used laptop (thank you kudzu!!) and i'm still tyring to get used ot the keyboard. ;P

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

02/03/2007 05:55:31 PM · #2

Originally posted by karmat:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

I never claimed that HS student were, overall, getting an inferior education. I would bet that many parents do a fine job homeschooling. I see many more opportunities for homeschoolers to miss something, intentionally or not.

They are missing some things. Some of the negatives are crowded classrooms, boisterous students, lack of resources, bullies, strict schedules (that can be a positive and a negative, depending on your philosophy), and inept teachers.

Some of the positive things they are missing are extra-curricular activities, a large pool of people to choose friends from (this one is debateable), exposure to many different ideas and beliefs (again, this one is debateable, depending on the family).

BUT, I don't see it as missing something. I see it as trading off.

Two easy examples:

When we study US History, specifically the Civil War, I have the opportunity to actually put the family in the car and go visit Gettysburg and other historical sites, not just read about them, or watch it on a video.

In Science, I can actually take my students to see what we are studying, not just reading about it.

Things that public school teachers (a lot of them, anyway) would love to do, but it is next to impossible with 100 - 150 students. (Number figured on teaching 5 classes a day with 20 - 30 students in a class).

As I typed this, I realize you may have something else in mind that they are "missing," so if I am wrong, just let me know.

I can't speak to what kashi says of homeschooling. Each state within the US is different, and I suspect Canadian Homeschooling is as different from US homeschooling as our public systems are.

eta -- as far as testing goes, quite frankly, in NC if you can pass (meaning score a minimal score, barely within the Low Average range of most nationally normed tests) the End of Grade and End of Course tests, that is all that really matters. So I would say the requirements for both, in the end, come out to about equal.

No, that's not what I meant by missing out. We do many similar things with my children.

What I meant by missing out is the possibility that some part of the homeschooled child's education would be missing or incomplete. If there is some oversight or minimal achievement measures, then that is unlikely to happen, but in areas without oversight, what is to stop a parent from just not teaching something essential, either through ingorance of the need, or just plain neglect?

Also, what happens when your child's educational needs go beyond your capabilities? My parents both never progressed in math beyond college algebra. I took algebra in 7th grade, after that, neither of them could have taught me anything in math or science. How could they have educated me on a subject like Vector Calculus, when neither of them even know what that means? My parents were always a great help in other areas like English, History, Politics, Econ etc. but Math and hard science were just never their thing.

saracat

Pentax K10D

02/03/2007 01:46:56 PM · #3

If you're truly interested, here's a link to the laws, state-by-state, that affect homeschoolers.

HSLDA Homeschool Laws by State

And by the way, HSLDA is the Home School Legal Defense Association. You can read more about it on their website. :)

02/03/2007 01:19:49 PM · #4

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

I never claimed that HS student were, overall, getting an inferior education. I would bet that many parents do a fine job homeschooling. I see many more opportunities for homeschoolers to miss something, intentionally or not.

They are missing some things. Some of the negatives are crowded classrooms, boisterous students, lack of resources, bullies, strict schedules (that can be a positive and a negative, depending on your philosophy), and inept teachers.

Some of the positive things they are missing are extra-curricular activities, a large pool of people to choose friends from (this one is debateable), exposure to many different ideas and beliefs (again, this one is debateable, depending on the family).

BUT, I don't see it as missing something. I see it as trading off.

Two easy examples:

When we study US History, specifically the Civil War, I have the opportunity to actually put the family in the car and go visit Gettysburg and other historical sites, not just read about them, or watch it on a video.

In Science, I can actually take my students to see what we are studying, not just reading about it.

Things that public school teachers (a lot of them, anyway) would love to do, but it is next to impossible with 100 - 150 students. (Number figured on teaching 5 classes a day with 20 - 30 students in a class).

As I typed this, I realize you may have something else in mind that they are "missing," so if I am wrong, just let me know.

I can't speak to what kashi says of homeschooling. Each state within the US is different, and I suspect Canadian Homeschooling is as different from US homeschooling as our public systems are.

eta -- as far as testing goes, quite frankly, in NC if you can pass (meaning score a minimal score, barely within the Low Average range of most nationally normed tests) the End of Grade and End of Course tests, that is all that really matters. So I would say the requirements for both, in the end, come out to about equal.

Message edited by author 2007-02-03 13:21:31.

02/03/2007 01:01:59 PM · #5

Originally posted by theSaj:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Evidently, from what I have read elsewhere in this thread, in many areas, homeschoolers are under absolutely no scrutiny whatsoever.

Don't quite see how that is? they're still taking SATs to get into college. Some states require other periodic tests.

My brother-in-law is at Dartmouth. He also was on the reality TV show "The Scholar" came in 3rd place to win a $50,000 scholarship. Home school student.

It was this post:

Originally posted by kashi:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:
My question is, who monitors the quality of the education that homeschoolers provide? Anyone?

That depends on where you are located - some places are very strict about monitoring homeschooling families, others are not.

I'm thankful that Ontario (where I live) - is not.

Sure, some states require homeschool student to take tests, but others don't. Sounds pretty sketchy to me.

Congratulate your brother for me, that's great.

I never claimed that HS student were, overall, getting an inferior education. I would bet that many parents do a fine job homeschooling. I see many more opportunities for homeschoolers to miss something, intentionally or not.

Olympus 14-42mm f.3.5-5.6 ED Zuiko Digital Zoom

02/03/2007 12:37:27 PM · #6

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

My question is, who monitors the quality of the education that homeschoolers provide? Anyone?

[/quote]

That varies from state to state (and country to country).

In NC (because that is the only one I am familiar with, homeschoolers must report to the Department of Non-Public Instruction with an intent to homeschool the summer before they start (legally required at 7 years of age, though obviously homeschooling can start before then).

Then, each year, there is a "lottery" where the NCDNPI "audits" the homeschoolers by requesting attendance records (must be able to prove 180 days, same as public schools), test records, and possibly somethign else.

Also, every homeschooler in the state of NC is required to take a nationally-normed standardized achievement test every year. The state publishes a list of what is acceptable. The most common ones are the Woodcock Johnson Test of Achievement III (that's the one I give), the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, and the California Achievement Tests.

NC is one of the "most free" states when it comes to homeschooling. There is not a lot of legislation telling us what we can and cannot do and I think that is due to the huge number of homeschoolers we have in the state.

+++++++++++++++++++

Local Homeschool trivia brought to you by karmat --

Four years ago (?), the top three counties in NC for homeschooling (based on number of homeschoolers [not homeschools]) were Mecklenburg County (home of Charlotte, NC), Wake County (home of the Raleigh/Durham area) and Haywood County (where I live and one of the smaller counties in the state). We have a huge contigency of homeschoolers in our area (and I wouldn't be surprised if the Buncombe County [Asheville area] was up there now), both religious and secular.

faery

Olympus E-400

02/03/2007 05:54:18 AM · #7

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Why would you say that mainstream parents are any less accountable? I could make exactly the opposite point, that homeschoolers are far less accountable than mainstream parents. Ultimately though, when it comes to educating our children, as parents, the only accountability we really have is to ourselves and our kids.

You're absolutely right about being accountable to ourselves and our kids only...I think I came across badly: I meant that HS parents are more accountable (not more "responsible" as I think the word implied)...because (I would imagine) those who HS make a conscious alternative decision and when they announce to someone "Oh we homeschool", then the questions follow: why, how, when, for how long...? and you'd better have all the answers ready or else you feel like a fool!! If you are speaking to a mainstream parent and say "where do your children go to school?", by and large they answer "x,y or z" and that's where that line of conversation ends. (I say "by and large" obviously that's not absolute).

I used the word "accountable" to mean ...you need to be ready to give and account of why you homeschool, and how etc whereas mainstream parents are not necessarily questioned so in depth about their choices to send their children to whatever school.I know that my own mother never really thought why she sent me to the school I went to, and she was a very responsible woman: it was nearby, my friends went there, easy..no questions asked. She didn't have to give an account of her decision.

02/03/2007 02:56:45 AM · #8

Originally posted by boomtap:

America is become so "un-free" that we might have to sail away to undiscovered land and set up a free republic of some kind.

Look, I've been waiting decades in order to sail into space and colonize Mars.

:)

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

02/03/2007 02:55:59 AM · #9

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Evidently, from what I have read elsewhere in this thread, in many areas, homeschoolers are under absolutely no scrutiny whatsoever.

Don't quite see how that is? they're still taking SATs to get into college. Some states require other periodic tests.

My brother-in-law is at Dartmouth. He also was on the reality TV show "The Scholar" came in 3rd place to win a $50,000 scholarship. Home school student.

Jason_Cross

Nikon D50

02/03/2007 02:22:14 AM · #10

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Originally posted by faery:
It works BOTH ways...homeschoolers come under a lot of scrutiny, and somehow always need to prove that they are doing an exemplorary job. They have to be more accountable in a way. Their counterparts, the parents in mainstream education, are not asked to be as accountable.

Evidently, from what I have read elsewhere in this thread, in many areas, homeschoolers are under absolutely no scrutiny whatsoever.

Why would you say that mainstream parents are any less accountable? I could make exactly the opposite point, that homeschoolers are far less accountable than mainstream parents. Ultimately though, when it comes to educating our children, as parents, the only accountability we really have is to ourselves and our kids.

It would actually be kind of funny to scrutinize them. They score higher on state tests; they typically are more involved in the arts and get support from lots of different types "teachers". I think you would find that it would only make the public school system look worse. I teach public school, and I am saying this! lol. Education isn't where home schools lack. Socialization skills are definitely an issue. I have been in and around both sides of this argument. My kids are not going to be home schooled, I was, I support home schools, but I also believe that children can get good educations in public schools. For once people should just leave well enough alone and quit trying to pass laws on people. America is become so "un-free" that we might have to sail away to undiscovered land and set up a free republic of some kind.

02/03/2007 02:07:50 AM · #11

Originally posted by faery:

Evidently, from what I have read elsewhere in this thread, in many areas, homeschoolers are under absolutely no scrutiny whatsoever.

Why would you say that mainstream parents are any less accountable? I could make exactly the opposite point, that homeschoolers are far less accountable than mainstream parents. Ultimately though, when it comes to educating our children, as parents, the only accountability we really have is to ourselves and our kids.

Olympus 14-42mm f.3.5-5.6 ED Zuiko Digital Zoom

02/03/2007 01:52:39 AM · #12

Originally posted by faery:

Of course there will be parents who are apparently home schooling, who are not doing it justice...but one needs to ask perhaps WHY that parent (your neighbour) is homeschooling: perhaps there are some underlying learning, emotional, psychological, developmental disorders in those children which you don't know about...not all home schooled children are going to be average or gifted students to begin with.

Knowing the parents: It's not the kids, it's the parents.

I find it really sad.

Message edited by author 2007-02-03 01:53:20.

faery

Olympus E-400

02/03/2007 01:48:38 AM · #13

It works BOTH ways...homeschoolers come under a lot of scrutiny, and somehow always need to prove that they are doing an exemplorary job. They have to be more accountable in a way. Their counterparts, the parents in mainstream education, are not asked to be as accountable. Of course there will be parents who are apparently home schooling, who are not doing it justice...but one needs to ask perhaps WHY that parent (your neighbour) is homeschooling: perhaps there are some underlying learning, emotional, psychological, developmental disorders in those children which you don't know about...not all home schooled children are going to be average or gifted students to begin with.

Within our home school community, there are parents educating children with a great variety of strengths and weaknesses. One mother, I know of, consciously took a year off last year to "Unschool" (a legitimate philosophy found in HS manuals) just to give her son some space to settle, catch up, regroup or whatever the phrase is...as a family they needed to do that. This year both he and his brother are doing brilliantly.

We also have experience of friends whose children are not being homeschooled, who are actively involved in their children's education far beyond school hours. Wonderful, wonderful family.

We must be careful of judging from the outside. When talking to home school families, many mainstream families do feel threatened, and have the opinion that HS families are somehow judging them (perception or legitimate impression?)....it's a funny world. We all need to learn a WHOLE LOT more tolerance and acceptance. The human race will keep turning on itself and finding something to criticise won't it? If we were all suddenly forced to HS our children, then we would still find something to separate us.... and so it goes...

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

02/02/2007 09:41:36 PM · #14

Question

How many who homeschool or were homeschooled did so legally? or in a state controlled program? and how many did it on their own?

02/02/2007 09:39:04 PM · #15

Originally posted by "rainmotorsports":

Okay I can understand you had a bad experience. Do you think that 51% of 3,000 kids you went to school with were mean. Did you even meet more then 900 of those say 3000.

First of all, I've never gone to a school with more than a few hundred students. If I were to give a percentage, I'd say somewhere around 10% are mean and another 20%-40% follow those 10%.

Originally posted by "rainmotorsports":

I was picked on and teased for years, In 5th grade i took my first stand and knocked Thomas meridith out. 8th grade I took a second stand when a kid took my back back and knocked me over with it. I then used my locker door to repeaditly beat his head.

In 5th and 6th grade I accumulated 27 suspensions. Over half of those were for fighting. But I never threw a single punch. I had to write thousands and thousands of times "I will not fight!" blah blah blah.

Everytime I got suspended I also got a whooping.

I spent the last 1/2 of 6th grade sitting in the office for lunch recess. Why? There was a bully trying to pick a fight. I walked away and went to the office. Of course, the kids saw that every time I just got in trouble. So they were even more inclined to cause trouble.

I could have beaten up any of the bullies. In fact, I easy did so to one over the summer. But I was so trying not to get suspended and not to get a whooping.

Now fast forward to 9th grade. A bully started with me I endeavored to ignore. Finally by the third incident and the 2nd textbook to fly across the room; I had lost all patience. A large history text book hit me broadsides across the face. I picked up the desk I was sitting in over my head and cuss out the bully scaring him back to a wall.

No one really messed with me after that.

BUT!!!!

a) I never should have been put into such a situation

b) The fact that completely opposite to everything they say "fighting never solves anything", the truth of the matter is the only thing that solved anything was fighting. [ Note: this is also why I feel we should essentially beat the living crud out of the islamofascists. Cause I've realized this is playground politics. They're not going to stop unless stopped.]

Originally posted by "rainmotorsports":

Theyre still alive. You work with them, you sit down next to them. You deal with them their either your customers or you maybe theirs. You drive down the street with them, you even live next to them.

But I choose to avoid them. I didn't have that choice in school. And yes, I also won't take the same crap that I did in 5th & 6th grade. Part of that means, God help any teacher who throws the same crap at me regarding any of my children. They may just find themselves with a bloody nose. Yes, that might mean jail time and a record. But I've already learned that nothing I do in life will keep me from being a criminal. So, as long as I feel what I did is just...that's good enough for me. I'll suffer the consequences.

The advantage of home schooling....is that a fair number of people become a bit more mature as an adult. Secondly, those who are better educated tend to be more civil. Thus, my child can excel academically and receive a better education. Putting them up the ladder a notch and helping them to avoid a few more of those twits.

Originally posted by "boomtap":

I honestly decided to become a teacher recently because I wanted to help the public school system rather than just complain about it. I took a 2/3 pay cut, and put myself back in college to get my license. I have to say that it is great to be able to actually be in the school where you can stop the bullying and keep an eye on things. It only takes a couple people that care at each school to make a diffrence and change the way things are handled.

Interesting...I've contemplated doing such. I enjoy teaching and sharing information. I also like helping and encouraging people.

Originally posted by "rainmotorsports":

OKay but your werent packing? Was your bestfriend packing? Was your SO packing.... was atleast 9 of the 10 kids at your lunch table not packing. Just cause 2 out of 3,000 kids is packing doesnt make eevryone a stone cold killer

True but it only took a pair of kids packing to leave a town burying nearly a dozen kids and tending to thousands more...

Originally posted by "Spazmo99":

The money is not public money, it's from a private foundation.

Than I have no real issue with it. I would if they were taking tax payer money and excluding receipients.

Originally posted by "GeneralE":

Originally posted by theSaj:
Especially, since it usually costs $4,000+ per pupil in public schools and the fact that we pay taxes and do not benefit.

I think you completely missed my point. I was not saying that we don't need education. My comment was in reference to free tuition to certain students, and at the time my understanding was that it was state paid for. It has been clarified that it is private grants. But had it been public monies I would have sued.

I also support school vouchers. I think all the arguments against are poor. The aspect of school vouchers essentially say "The state pays x amount per student per year for educating." You could then take that money and apply to whatever form provides the best education. Be it a public school, or subsidization to allow your child to attend a private school. Or even home schooling.

I am of the belief that public monies for education should be available to all. If it is to be made available on a limited basis for need it should be for need. (ie: it's drastically unfair to refuse scholarship money to a kid growing up dirt poor in the ghetto cause his skin is white but allow a middle-class 3 car family's child to receive a scholarship merely because his skin is black).

Originally posted by "generalE":

I just get annoyed when people say they get "no benefit" from the existence of (nearly-)universal public education.

This was a specific comment regarding the fact of money, state funding, tax collection, etc.

The vast majority of municipal and county taxes go toward education. When you home school you do not receive any of that money. When you go to private school you do not receive any of that money. But the government still collects the money.

In many cases, the public education is the lowest performing model. But citizens are restricted from applying those funds elsewhere.

Originally posted by "Spazmo99":

My question is, who monitors the quality of the education that homeschoolers provide? Anyone?

You know...that's the same question many people have for the public education system. (ie: No Child Left Behind Act, is actually an attempt to do just this. It's hated by schools and teachers because it basically nails them on numerous flaws.)

An independent study group did a survey of science in my hometown's public school system. They calculated of all the money spent very little actually reached the students. In fact, only 2 penny's per students was spent on science supplies and materials.

In high school biology we didn't have resources. When we studied mollusks the teacher went to Stop & Shop and bought a bunch of mollusks (clams, oysters, squid and octopus). He brought an electric frying pan, cooked them, and then we dissected them and ate them. When we studied arthropods we dissected lobsters. You had to bring in $5 if you wanted to dissect a lobster. (You got to eat it too.) The same for fish....

***

I've had some really great teachers and abyssmal teachers. There is very very little over-sight in the public education system. Numerous teacher's have lapsed on their certification, failed to get the appropriate degrees, etc.

That said, homeschooling has the potential to have great students and really poor students. My wife and her siblings were homeschooled. Their final years for the higher levels courses they simply audited college courses.

Message edited by author 2007-02-02 21:49:03.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

02/02/2007 09:29:07 PM · #16

Originally posted by kashi:

Why is that a good thing?

Not that you would, but what is to stop someone from simply claiming that they are homeschooling, when, in fact, they are doing little or nothing to educate their child?

Jason_Cross

Nikon D50

02/02/2007 08:42:56 PM · #17

When I graduated I tested, and was 4 grade levels higher than other Colorado high schoolers. I came into it 2 levels behind. 3 years and I improved through the roof.

kashi

Nikon D60

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G

02/02/2007 08:08:02 PM · #18

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

My question is, who monitors the quality of the education that homeschoolers provide? Anyone?

That depends on where you are located - some places are very strict about monitoring homeschooling families, others are not.

I'm thankful that Ontario (where I live) - is not.

Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS

02/02/2007 07:20:36 PM · #19

Originally posted by karmat:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Originally posted by faery:
But any homeschool family will tell you that learning happens informally all day, it's not restricted to the books.

Do you think that attitude is somehow exclusive to homeschool families?

I can't find the original source of the quote to see why you would think that. She is a homeschooler, she is speaking of homeschooling families.

Likewise, using the same sampling methods you used a few posts up, I could say that most families I know believe the school day ends at 3 PM and any educational responsibility for their children is the schools, because I have a neighbor that believes that.

However, I know (or at least I hope strongly) that is not the case. In some cases, and for some reasons, parents whose children are in a school environment need to be even more active/proactive than homeschoolers, so they don't lose touch, or forget to touch base with their children.

I was just asking the question. I would no more expect such a statement to come from a homeschooling family than a public school family. The important factor is the parents and their dedication to the education of their children.

The attitude I have seen from some homeschool families seems to be that if you aren't homeschooling, somehow, you do not care about your child's education.

I agree that a lackadaisical attitude regarding education on the part of the parents is possible, homeschool or not.

If a school is not doing it's job, people hear about it. I know which schools in this area are good and which ones are not and generally, everyone with more than a passing interest in the community does too. In most cases, at least around here, changes will be made to correct the shortcomings of that school. My question is, who monitors the quality of the education that homeschoolers provide? Anyone?

JustinM

Fujifilm X-T30

02/02/2007 05:55:08 PM · #20

Originally posted by karmat:

And the age old question, "What about socialization?" I've learned not to answer with my original answer, "I taught public school for 8 years, I know how they are *socialized.* No thanks" to "We are making sure he has ample opportunities to be around others his age."

I, personally, would not worry about "socialization". As I said earlier I have been homeschooled since 1st grade and I have had absolutely no problem making other friends. Occasionally, (especially when I was younger) I have wished that I would have had other kids, (other than my 3 siblings) to play with during recess, etc... but, I made it through just fine and have absolutely no regrets.

In my opinion many homeschoolers tend to think that homeschooling is just an easy way of getting by with as little work and study as possible. I have seen this in some of my experiences with other homeschoolers. Attitudes like these will eventually cause the downfall of the homeschooling option. (IMO) Homeschool is just another alternative to a quality education. It should be look on as a serious matter that will take dedication and committment on both the parents and children.

This is just my 3 cents worth, (2 cents worth has become far to over-used in the forums lately, lol) I will quite by saying I have had a wonderful experience with homeschooling and it has prepared me well for college academics.

02/02/2007 05:35:51 PM · #21

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Originally posted by faery:
But any homeschool family will tell you that learning happens informally all day, it's not restricted to the books.

Do you think that attitude is somehow exclusive to homeschool families?

I can't find the original source of the quote to see why you would think that. She is a homeschooler, she is speaking of homeschooling families.

Likewise, using the same sampling methods you used a few posts up, I could say that most families I know believe the school day ends at 3 PM and any educational responsibility for their children is the schools, because I have a neighbor that believes that.

However, I know (or at least I hope strongly) that is not the case. In some cases, and for some reasons, parents whose children are in a school environment need to be even more active/proactive than homeschoolers, so they don't lose touch, or forget to touch base with their children.

Tamron AF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical for Nikon

02/02/2007 05:25:17 PM · #22

Originally posted by faery:

But any homeschool family will tell you that learning happens informally all day, it's not restricted to the books.

Do you think that attitude is somehow exclusive to homeschool families?

vtruan

Nikon D5100

02/02/2007 05:22:55 PM · #23

Originally posted by dacrazyrn:

Do Charter schools work in this way at all?
Van-I may PM you with some questions, if I find any.

Do send me an e-mail, I can get you all the info and contacts you might want for the Colo. Online Virtual Academy, we have over 2000 homeschoolers in the program and are base out of Adams County.

My wife teaches during the day and I do the night shift and weekend field-trips. We teach year-round, take breaks when we want, vacation as needed & at anytime, and we have alot of "play time too"

Van