Any e-schoolers out there? (incl info on K12)

[graygables]

I honestly thought it was autonomous enough. In any "public school" there are "threads" that the state requires, but I felt that K12 far exceeded those. I also was at liberty to exlude certain lessons. I wasn't comfortable teaching a first grader about polytheism when she didn't have a firm grasp on our family belief system and I didn't want to confuse her. After discussing it with the teacher, I basically skipped over parts I was uncomfortable with, knowing that with K12, we will re-visit those themes in a few years when DD is better equipped to assimilate the information.

The only "state interference" I feel is when it's time for the testing. I really hate Ohio's tests and feel that they are frequently invalid to start with, so I just don't worry about it that much. DDs take them, I glance them over and that's that. We are required to submit work samples, but not nearly what OHDELA wanted us to send in (and the writing assignments for 2nd grade were waaaaayyy off base, much harder than 4th grade, even). Basically, the teacher builds a small portfolio for each child by the end of the year to show progress. Also, the teacher will call once a week for a conference, to answer any questions, see if there are any difficulties, etc and those are required. used to, we had to have 4 face-to-face meetings, but that was never an issue, b/c of the field trips our teachers planned through the year. I really like the accountability to someone other than me. It has really brought down the pressure level and reduced a lot of the whining/complaining I experienced w/ my traditionally HSed older two.

 

[Nascia]

I attended the information session tonight for Agora. It went well considering I was the ONLY attendee. (Virtual schooling has not caught on here SW PA, people either go to the local ps or homeschool. Usually the homeschoolers are very secluded and do not want the government involved with their child's education.) Appearently the head of the Agora, Anita, had been a principal at PAVCS. There was a K12 rep there as well, Michelle. She had been a teacher at PAVCS before moving to K12. I was very pleased with the curriculum (had lots of time to look through it tonight) and think we will try it out for next year. I liked that they used Elluminate on a regular basis for social interaction and class sessions. They also have regularly scheduled social gatherings for the families. Agora also offers Power Glide German, French, Spanish or Latin as language electives for grades K- 6.

I have heard about some negative experiences with PAVCS (not from them, they didn't mention the schools they were involved with, I came home and googled ) so I am thinking we're going to try Agora in the fall. The following year we will compare the two experiences and go with whatever works the best for him. I hate to leave Connections, but I feel I owe it to DS to give the K12 a try. I really liked the electives that were offered with Connections. I have yet to see any other virtual charter school offer more that language electives.

 

[busymomma123]

Thank you so much for starting this thread. It has been so informative for our family.

 

[skoi]

I did love K12's curriculum. I found the history to be well balanced (and again, as an historian I appreciated this very much).

Thanks Nascia for the update. We'll look into Agora as well. I really want my children to learn a foreign language well (we tried Chinese briefly before we traveled to China) but we really need a teacher/class. We're doing Spanish because it was either that or French. Ds wants to learn Arabic, but unfortunately we don't know anyone who speaks it.

Julie

 

[Denine]

Thanks for the info. I may attend an iformation session to find out more.

Of course, I still have time since we are only starting pre-k in the fall.

 

[Temair]

I have just gotten started with ARVS and k12. My daughter is going into Grade 1 this year. She actually was offered a spot last year but we decliened at the time as I was not sure if I really wanted to home school her. Anyway this year we offered my daughter the choice. Showed her what a typical day would be like and she has chosen that she would rather stay at home. She likes the idea she can sit around in her panties and do school. So far I love everything I've sean about the K12 curriculum. DH studied to be a PE teacher, and says its one of the best curiculums he has ever seen.

Temair

 

[3kidsmommy]

I so wish we lived in Ohio...this would be wonderful for my children! Homeschooling all by myself is a bit overwhelming to me, so we try to make the best of the public schools. We are NOT happy with them, though. We live so close to Ohio, about an hour away from Cinci in Georgetown, KY. What i wouldn't give to be able to move! Anyone need a nanny and have room for 3 kids, 2 adults, 2 cats and a pom puppy? lol

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

We use K12 independently. If you want more opinions on K12, do a yahoo seach for it. There are lots of virtual academy groups and a really big K12 users group. I get tons of help, opinions, and info from a great group of moms (and some dads) there.

 

[jennz]

I'm seriously considering using K12 next year for dd, 9. Indiana now offers the virtual public school through K12 and I really like the curic. and autonomy. I do however have the age old question...will she have enough socialization?

Here's what I think...you get out of it what you put into it. DD is an only child and I have always worked hard to help her have play dates and meet kids her age. She is an introvert and takes a while to warm up to new people(but I have to add very confident and she's happy with who she is).

As with everyone I want the best for my daughter...I think k12 will give it to us, we can move at our own pace and the curic. is much richer than our ps.

Tell me what you think! Gently, though...

 

[imp&pixie]

We love our K12 virtual academy! I was worried about socialization also, but really we are doing just fine. We go to the park most days and have a couple of playgroups that we are member of. Jacob also goes to Sunday School at our temple so he gets to interact with all those kids (who have know each other since birth practically).

One terrific thing that we have done with our virtual academy is join a group of people to teach music and art. We call it a co-op. We meet every week and do two music lessons and two art lessons. The parents take turns teaching to the kids. It is great to be able to talk to other homeschooling parents and discuss frustrations or successes. The kids love it too because they get to play with the other kids.

I think socialization is highly overrated, anyways. And I really worry about the peer effect. With homeschooling at least I get to choose my son's friends .