Search Results for: blog changes in public school curriculum

The Cost of Homeschooling VS The Cost of Public School

I was sent a link this morning for an article called Even government envious of homeschooling success. The article begins with the following: “Question: If Method 1 spends – on a national average – $10,000 per child annually, and Method 2 spends only $500 per child, but Method 2 delivers better academic results, which method is preferable? Fact: The average government school spends $10,000 per child per year, but its students scored 1.4 points lower than the family sponsored homeschooled child on the ACT, according to results from 2009.” As much as I want to side with homeschoolers in this … Continue reading →

Homeschooling to save money

It seems that interest in homeschooling is growing as families with children in private schools began to make budget wise decisions. For parents who chose private over public schools for academic, religious, and safety reasons, lack of money is not enough reasons to re-enroll children into public school. It seems that homeschooling may be the only option. Of course there is the problem that many of these parents see themselves as teachers, or ever planned on teaching their kids themselves. Fortunately there are many hybrid homescchool programs that will partner with parents that can help them homeschool their kids with … Continue reading →

Homeschooling puts the individual above the group

I have often been accused of putting my children above the group as a result of homeschooling. I can’t argue with that accusation still I realize the importance of looking out for the group as well. Everyday public and private schools make decisions based on what is best for the whole. I have no problem with that. They set a curriculum that everyone should be able to follow. They make playground rules that are best for the safety of everyone. They even create lunch menus that cater to the nutrition of everyone. Still what is good for the whole, is … Continue reading →

Changes to the Byrd Scholarship favors homeschoolers

The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program was created in 1985 and designed to recognize exceptional students. It awards scholarships of up to $6000 a year for eligible students. Until now eligibility had excluded most homeschoolers. Here are the eligibility requirements: An eligible student applicant must, during the same secondary academic year in which the scholarship is to be awarded: (1) be a graduate of a public or private secondary school or have received the recognized equivalent of a high school diploma (GED); (2) be a legal resident of the State in which he or she applies; (3) be a … Continue reading →

A Warning for Hybrid Homeschoolers

Some time ago, I explained that the best label for our family in the homeschooling realm is hybrid homeschooling. Hybrid homeschoolers work in the middle ground between school and home. While the majority of us do not utilize public school resources, we do find other resources to help homeschool our kids. There will be co-op classes, tutors, and even programs that mimic school very closely, though it will very likely be for less than 5 days a week. I have noticed a large influx of hybrid homeschool programs in my area. The latest has fully loaded days, just like in … Continue reading →

Are You a Homeschooler at Heart? Answers

In my last post I made up a test to help you determine if you are a homeschooler at heart. I asked a series of questions that hopefully you answered and are now back to see the results. You may want to go to the previous post before continuing. As I am not an expert in administering surveys, the results were pretty straightforward. If you answered predominantly A’s you are least like a homeschooler. If you answered primarily with B, you have some tendencies that could lend to homeschooling, but you are more likely to work with the current school … Continue reading →

Perceptions of Homeschooling: When others think you are doing a bad job

One of the hardest parts of being a homeschooler is dealing with the criticism that goes along with it. Just reading the occasional article or blog makes it clear that by homeschooling people have the perception that we are doing a bad job with my kids. Many of us do try to prove that we are not doing a bad job. We write, we blog, we discuss, we try and try and try to prove to the general public that we are good parents and educators. This approach however is a colossal waste of time. It tends to come across … Continue reading →

Homeschool Glossary (Books Parents Should Read) I – M

As I mentioned in the introduction, new homeschooling parents should learn as much about homeschooling as possible by reading many different sources. Here continues my Homeschool Glossary of books parents should read. If You’re Riding a Horse and It dies, Get off by Jim Grant, Char Forsten, and Nathan Bundy (Paperback – May 1, 1999) This book is a short, concise, and humorous critique of public education. “Constructed around the old saying of “don’t beat a dead horse” this book illustrates that there comes a time when you must recognize that the proverbial horse is dead and you must move … Continue reading →

Can Homeschoolers Change Public Education? Part 2

In my last few posts, I wrote a bit about the history of Education and how homeschooling can take education back to its roots, in Homeschooling: Back to Education. I also wrote about how the Industrial Revolution shaped education in Education and the Industrial Revolution. My last post, How education Restricts Homeschooling, hints that homeschoolers are still restricted by modern education for the most part. I am ending this series by talking about how homeschooling could potentially change education. In part one of Can Homeschoolers Change Public Education, I wrote about that fact that I must first take the time … Continue reading →

School Isn’t the Only Place to Get Educated

We parents expect a great deal from our schools and the “educational process”—and, we have every right and reason to. BUT, with the increased budget cuts and changes in our schools, more and more is being left out of curriculum and classrooms. Additionally, we may forget that there are plenty of other places and ways for our children to obtain information, knowledge, and education OUTSIDE of school… Of course there are extracurricular activities like dance, sports and arts classes—but there are plenty of other opportunities to obtain “education” that we might not think of. Volunteering for community or church projects … Continue reading →