Virtual Schools in AZ

Sounds like you're doing what's best for you and not what's best for your daughter. You say she's doing very well, so she must like school, like her teacher and like the experience. Why don't you ask her what she wants without trying to sway her either way. You may have loved homeschool, but she may not. And having 2 parents not on the same page is never a good idea. You can still have an influence on your daughter even though she is out in the world. Focus on building a trusting relationship with her so as she grows she will depend on you and your husband for advice and communication, but still be independent. If you do decide to homeschool, make sure it's what she wants. As a former teacher I cringe to read your "interviewing" idea. With my kids, they got what they got - one of the most important lessons you can teach a child is how to deal with all different kinds of people, not ride in on our white horse and rescue them whenever they encounter a difficult person or situation. In the future, you won't be able to save her from a mean college professor, or a difficult boss. Teach her now and it will help her grow into a confident and adaptable adult - which is your job. Don't pick your daughter's teachers - let the school situation happen and discuss any concerns you might have later in the year after the dynamics of the class calm down. Whatever you decide, step back and think about the big picture. Your daughter may not even need "saving"!

Hi C., I couldn’t agree more with Patty K. We all think our children are the best and want the best for them. The thing that popped out at me in your request was the blatant disregard for what your husband wants. I am a strong minded woman myself, but this is his child, household and decision too. Look, I am not trying to judge you here, but every teacher and situation is different and by the time your daughter reaches High School she will have had many different teachers, some you will like and others not so much. One of the most important lessons we learn is to be able to deal with different people and situations. My sister homeschooled both of her children, the oldest is twenty and waits for his mother to make every decision in his life. My sister did most of his schoolwork, fixed everything that SHE thought was negative in his life and now he can’t go to the grocery store without calling her on his cell phone a hundred times because he is so dependent on her. By the way, he started college a year ago and failed all of his classes because it was “too overwhelming” for him. My other nephew is eleven and has no social skills and no friends. At his birthday parties he is the only child. I am not saying homeschooling is bad, I have just seen the bad side of it. On the other hand my children are in public school and to be honest with you over the years there have been times I was not thrilled with teachers, schools, the rules and numerous situations. My oldest is in high school he is in advanced learning classes with straight A’s. My youngest is a mix of A’s and B’s. Both of my children are smart, well rounded and both can and do make great decisions. They are not being “raised by someone else” they are going to school. If done right homeschooling is wonderful, but so is public schooling. It sounds like your daughter is doing great and that should be supported instead of trying to micromanage her life and teachers. You sound like an amazing mother who wants the best for her children. Take some time, you and your husband will make the right decision.

I have heard from other moms that use the online schools that they do not have enough time to do the other things that they want to do. With the online schools you are still bound by the public schools education and curriculum, you do not get to choose what your children learn. Also, the online schools are not considered homeschooling. Therefore, you are not eligible for a lot of programs open only to homeschoolers. Have you looked into any of the homeschool curriculums? I use Sonlight( www.sonlight.com ) and love it!!! It's not for everyone though. There are so many different homeschool curriculum options available out there, to fit any families needs. I would recommend looking into some of them and see if one would work for your family. Also, it's very important for you to talk to your husband and to get his support for you to school your child at home. He needs to be supportive of it, or it could cause a lot of problems for your marriage. My husband was dead set against homeschooling until he found the sonlight website and read a lot from there. Once he found sonlight, he gave me his blessings to homeschool. Also, it might help if you let him know that your child can still have interaction with other children, through homeschool groups or even homeschool p.e. (www.sportskidzaz.com) Good luck with whatever decision you make. I hope it works out for you and I pray that your husband will be supportive in whatever route you may take.

Hi C.,
I agree with you on many counts! I pulled my daughter out of public (charter school) after 1st grade. We've been home schooling, using AZVA.org ever since. We love it!
I'd be happy to discuss it with you anytime. :o)
Lauri

I agree, that homeschooling is pretty good but also that you need to talk with your husband about it. My husband wasn't very supporting of homeschooling for awhile, mainly because he wanted me to have a break from the kiddos. After our school district totally paniced last year, he took another look. I had been researching and had a friend who also homeschooled, so he and I made the decision to homeschool together. After all, if you are wanting to homeschool, you don't need the stress of an unhappy husband.

We don't use the vitual stuff. I found some free resources to use until I can afford some of the text books I want. We do a sort of Charlotte Mason structure. The thing is with only one or two homeschooling, you don't need to take a lot of time teaching. One on one, always is much better than 25 to 30 on one or even 15 to 1.

If the public schools were actually educating our kids then the other "stuff" would be tolerable. Instead they have developed a test of what they deem acceptable and teach to that test. Teachers are doing the best they can with what they are given by the districts. The big picture is that our children need to be educated, period. If you can accomplish that better than the school system then I say do it.

I have a friend who used Arizona Virtual Academy (AZVA) and they use K12 curriculum. It is very time consuming, but the material they cover is excellent. They are secular, in case this matters to you. You have to complete assignments in accordance with their schedule and submit work samples. This keeps parents accountable but can also burden them if they fall a little behind. You have access to a teacher who can help if you get stuck or overwhelmed. They also schedule field trips and get-togethers to enrich the learning experience. Their curriculum includes art and music and it is top notch. It is portable so that family vacations are not limited to the summer when everyone else in the country is on vacation. Even though it is a little time consuming the time you spend with your children is priceless.

Also...most home school kids are independent learners and are able to advance at their own pace. They aren't held back by the class or teachers who are overwhelmed with 30 kids.

We home school and we used Alpha Omega because it is christian. It is computer based which, matches my kid's learning styles. My 12 year old is doing advanced algebra because he understands it and we don't need weeks of mindless repetition because the rest of the class doesn't get it. On the other hand his dyslexia is improving because we can work at his pace. He is more confident because no one is teasing him and the teacher isn't writing him off as lazy or stupid (which his teachers accused him of being to my face!). My daughter is plugging along at a normal pace and has plenty of time left to practice her violin.

We belong to a couple of support groups. My kids have many more friends than they did at public school because we can spend more time together than just lunch and recess. I know all the parents and feel comfortable with my kids visiting their houses.

My advice is to do what you think is best for your child. Since you were home schooled you have an insight to that life already.

C.,
I don't know much about the online schools. We homeschool but we don't use them. If you want information about homeschooling, though, ask homeschoolers. There are many people who don't understand the decision to homeschool.
There are homeschooling groups that can help you get started. To find one in your area, try www.hena.us (edited to be the right link) :)
B.

Our children learn so much that is not included in the curriculum when they go to school. A few examples include how to wait your turn, how things work in a crowd, when it is the right time to talk and how to listen well to others. There are so many more things, and I always worried that my kids would not pick those things up if I homeschooled them. They do have to learn to deal with the world and the way it is sooner or later, whether we like it or not. But it is your choice whether she should do that now or later.

Some schools will let you enroll your child just for the "specials" if you choose, such as music, PE, art, etc. Maybe you could talk to the office about an arrangement like that, and then she would still get all the other "stuff."

My daughter currently takes one class online right now. (She's now in JR HIGH...SCARY!) We both love the program! It is run by Mesa School District, so your daughter would be able to follow the AZ curriculum and return to public school at any time if it doesn't work out for you. It is free (state funded) for anyone in AZ, and they have teachers who interact with you and your child online to help you teach your child if you have questions along the way. They give you all of the program materials and curriculum guides for free also. My daughter has thrived in the program, but she was already a very independent learner. They have programs for K-12. Their website is MDLP.org. (Stands for Mesa Distance Learning Program) They give a good idea of what it entails on their website. Check it out, and good luck!

You know what's best for your daughter! Even if she is doing very well in public school, you know if that is the right environment for her or not. My kids did well in public school but did MUCH BETTER at home too! Tested 2 grades ahead once I got them at home etc... But I'd make sure your hubby is on board. Having him behind you and supporting you is important. Sometimes it take time. My hubby wasn't for me homeschooling them until they became school age and now he's totally on board. I've been homeschooling for 10 years now. =) I have friends who use the online schools and I've never heard anything either way. Most of my friends use K12... I think it depends on the teacher with the program also but you have more control with the online program. I've never used it but have a lot of friends who do... good luck to you! And don't listen to your critics. Listen to your heart, God and your hubby!

Hi C.,
Even though I do not have as much time this morning to comment as much as I would like but since you have only heard the comments from a School Teacher I felt it necessary to do so.

First off, I applaud you for interviewing your teachers!!! If only more parents did that......"Hello", they are your children! I mean what do you do when you seek a babysitter for your kids?? I know I don't just take them to a house that has a sign "Babysitter"or "I watch Kids" and drop them off!! I have always gone by a recommendation and then I call and meet them and or the parents depending on the age of the sitter. I also have them come over and meet my husband and the kids beforehand to see if it will be a good fit and they can get to know eachother first before we leave them "alone" with them for hours.

So why for heaven sakes would you do it any different for who teaches your children for about 5-6hrs a day!! Now unless you live under a rock you know that your children are not just influenced by and taught by the School Teacher but also every child that is in that classroom and that can bring on a whole set of other issues.

I was infertile for 10yrs. before I had my first and then almost 5yrs later I had my second with miscarriages along the way and one in between my two beautiful children. So, obviously because parenting did not come easy for me I appreciate it that much more!! Obviously because it did not come easy for my husband and I.

Anyway because of that and more we take their education and the responsibility very serious. Consequently, I do homeschool them. No one can teach your children like you can. You know that first hand, I am sure in one sense I am preaching to the choir. But look at it as a one on one tutor (which parents use all the time!) tailor making instruction and teaching to your daughter's own strengths and weaknesses. That is impossible for a school teacher to be able to do that for 25-30 kids in each classroom.

But that of course, is why I would question why you would want to do a virtual school? It is not viewed or considered by some as "truly homeschooling". At her age you could do it and their are certainly enough homeschooling groups to join and be a part of to get more than enough socialization. We were at a PE & Science class yesterday where my kids were at most of the day. I would wait on that until you absolutely have to. Like for instance a Calculus Class for High School which is when I would consider it. E-mail me direct and I would be happy to tell you more.

You know what is best for your own children and know one can influence them more "morally" than you. That is one of the main reasons "why" we chose to do something I did not feel I could do because I use to work in a School for 5 years and knew what it entailed. But in the end it was the "moral factor" for us and the rest has come with other seasoned homeschooling moms and God's direction.

Search your heart and write down what you gained from being homeschooled yourself. Write down the pros and cons if there were any cons. Share those reasons with your husband and then the "biggy" (you mentioned) that it has made you "who you are today"!! That should say a lot to him. I think that we could all agree as parents that whatever was morally good and wholesome for us as children or when we were growing up we of course would want to do the same or "better" for them.

Sincerly,
Miracle Mom of Two (A.)

your biggest problem is that your husband disagrees and you are going to do it anyway. First you need to work together with your husband.