Anyone use k12.com?

[adisneymama]

If so how do you like it? Are there locals in your area that you can setup playgroups with? How do you go about finding them?

 

[xbatman]

I don't know what k12.com is but if you're looking for playgroups and other activities for younger children, I used to belong to MOMS (Moms Offering Moms Support) Club before DD started school.

It's international organization with local chapters. We had many playgroups, park days, field trips and even one Mom's Night Out per month.

If interested, go to www.momsclub.org for more info and to find a local chapter.

 

[adisneymama]

I will check into your link. Thanks. k12.com is a private homeschooling site. We are considering starting it next year with DD. Thanks!

 

[williamson_ja]

We have used k12 for a couple of years now. They offer it free through the school district in my area (Utah). There are things that I like and things that I don't.
One thing that I like is that they send you lots of cool stuff for science. My daughter got a microscope this year with fun slides to look at and the younger kids got rock kits with lots of different rocks to look at and learn about.
Their language arts is pretty good also. I like the classic books that the kids read. They are books that I would have chosen for them.

Things that I don't like:
The amount of work they expect you to do every day is overwhelming. Don't try to do it all!
I don't like the math program. It just didn't work for my kids. There wasn't enough explanation before the assignment. They were confused. We ended up buying another math program to finish out the year. We LOVE Teaching Textbooks.

I hope this helps.

 

[DisneyFlower]

We just started this past February using k12 (took both my DD10 and DD8 out of public school). So far, we have really liked it! They give you an enormous amount of materials - including maps, science equipment, and tons of books, workbooks, etc. I like how it is structured and there are assignments to complete each day but it is also flexible - you can change the order of when you want to complete what, etc. You record your progress and attendance online. My kids have learned how to login each morning and get started on their assignments. They usually begin working on the assignments they can do independently while I am cooking breakfast and then later I take turns with each of them - going over math and the lessons that need to be taught.
There is an active community of other k12ers that get together. There is a calendar on the website that lists all the activities and field trips scheduled for each month and you can sign up for all the activities that you want to be involved in.
So far, it has worked well for us and we like it. I wanted to homeschool but was stressed about which curriculum to use and making sure I covered everything I needed to cover, but k12 takes all that stress away - plus I have found it more challenging than the work my daughters were being given in their public school - which is one reason I took them out of their public school.
Let me know if i can answer any other questions for you!

 

[dizneychik]

We just started this past February using k12 (took both my DD10 and DD8 out of public school). So far, we have really liked it! They give you an enormous amount of materials - including maps, science equipment, and tons of books, workbooks, etc. I like how it is structured and there are assignments to complete each day but it is also flexible - you can change the order of when you want to complete what, etc. You record your progress and attendance online. My kids have learned how to login each morning and get started on their assignments. They usually begin working on the assignments they can do independently while I am cooking breakfast and then later I take turns with each of them - going over math and the lessons that need to be taught.
There is an active community of other k12ers that get together. There is a calendar on the website that lists all the activities and field trips scheduled for each month and you can sign up for all the activities that you want to be involved in.
So far, it has worked well for us and we like it. I wanted to homeschool but was stressed about which curriculum to use and making sure I covered everything I needed to cover, but k12 takes all that stress away - plus I have found it more challenging than the work my daughters were being given in their public school - which is one reason I took them out of their public school.
Let me know if i can answer any other questions for you!

I see that you are located in Georgia. I am looking at this program as well for the 2009 school year (we are in Clayton but my daughter is in private school in Henry). For the testing-CRCT how does that work? Is the testing done at home/library/an actual school by a proctor? What is the DIBELS testing?

 

[DisneyFlower]

I see that you are located in Georgia. I am looking at this program as well for the 2009 school year (we are in Clayton but my daughter is in private school in Henry). For the testing-CRCT how does that work? Is the testing done at home/library/an actual school by a proctor? What is the DIBELS testing?

We just took our CRCT's last week - you sign up for a location and go there each morning of the week to take the test. All the kids that come are k12 kids. There are proctors to give the test. We went to a hotel but there were also CRCT's being given at colleges, libraries, etc.

As far as the DIBELS testing... I'm sorry, I don't know what that is myself... unless maybe I know it by a different name??

 

[adisneymama]

Thanks for the info. Fortunately, I'm in Texas which is one of the easiest states to homeschool in. They are also approved here thru the public school system but not until 3rd grade. She will be going into 2nd grade next year. My main concern is that she is on an IEP right now due to a seizure disorder. I'm scared to give that up even though I'm am very disatisfied with how things are going. Now that makes no sense does it? Math and reading are her hardest subjects and while she does fine grade wise, I don't think she is where she needs to be. I also hate the public school mentality of "as long as it is a passing grade". I like the fact that with k12 she has to have at least 80% before going on. I feel like if I do this then I will know what she is getting and what she isn't. I have no clue what our actual curriculum is at this school. We get homework that other classes don't get. The teachers do not work together and nothing is really sent home for us to work on. Even though I have asked many times. Then I also have the situation that since she goes to resource classes her work is completely different than those in her general ed class. I'm so torn on what to do. I like what I'm reading about k12 and I like the structure of it for me. I know I can't homeschool her and have to decide curriculum, lesson plans etc. That's not something I am capable of doing in a beneficial way. But give me the info and tell me what to do and when and I'm good to go.

Does any of this make sense? Any suggestions? What were some of the things you discussed before making the decision?

 

[dizneychik]

We just took our CRCT's last week - you sign up for a location and go there each morning of the week to take the test. All the kids that come are k12 kids. There are proctors to give the test. We went to a hotel but there were also CRCT's being given at colleges, libraries, etc.

As far as the DIBELS testing... I'm sorry, I don't know what that is myself... unless maybe I know it by a different name??

Thanks. I went ahead and started the application process and I am going to send my paperwork now. Sounds great not having to come up with the curriculum myself or having to spend the extra money to invest in one.

As far as the DIBELS, I am not certain what it is either. It was listed on the GVS website under the academics calendar and I was just wondering what other testing that could be.

As far as attendance, do you have to be on a Monday thru Friday schedule or can you attend on Saturday and Sunday as well?

Once you took your children out of school-did you have to report to the school board that your were enrolling them in GVS as you would homeschool?
(does that question make sense?)

Thank you so much for responding. That helped a lot.

 

[DisneyFlower]

Any suggestions? What were some of the things you discussed before making the decision?

I understand your frustration and concern! It took us atleast a year before we made the decision to just "go for it" and take them out and try home schooling. For us it was a hard decision because both DD's love school and their teachers and friends - but I had reached the decision that it wasn't the best for them. They weren't being challenged and there were some issues in the classroom -one DD's teacher was absent WAY too much, one teacher left the kids alone in the classroom way too often, etc. I also stuffed report cards into folders once and was startled that virtually every child in the class of fifth graders had all A's and B's! That sounds great, but as a former high school teacher myself, I know that means grade inflation and low expectations.
I did tell their teachers that we were thinking about homeschooling and they were very concerned - wanted us to stay - the principal called me, etc. - but I think i had already made up my mind. You might want to tell your school you are considering home schooling - maybe it will make them more concerned with answering your questions and communicating with you.

When we started k12, I did indeed find out that my daughters, especially the DD8 were behind. We had to work hard, especially in math, to get caught up before the CRCT's! They miss their friends and teachers - but we go back ocassionally and visit (we made sure to leave on a good terms). I would love to put them in a quality private school so they could have the "school" experience and be challenged, but can't afford that right now.
Home schooling has its pros and cons just like anything else. For a concerned parent who will put in the time, it can't be beat - you are giving one on one attention, you know exactly what she needs to work longer and harder on and can adjust accordingly. And as you mentioned, you can teach for 80% or even 100% comprehension - you don't have to move on because the rest of the class is moving on. And even if your child had a caring teacher, nobody cares more than you. The cons for us have been missing the friends and the whole set up of traditional school - although they don't seem to mind getting to sleep in a little later in the mornings or pajama Wednesdays .
You could always try it for awhile and if it just doesn't work, maybe she could go back to school. Although make sure you give it atleast 2 months. I thought I was going to pull my hair out the first week or two - trying to get used to everything and figuring out the best way to do things - but it got MUCH better!

As far as attendance, do you have to be on a Monday thru Friday schedule or can you attend on Saturday and Sunday as well?

Once you took your children out of school-did you have to report to the school board that your were enrolling them in GVS as you would homeschool?
(does that question make sense?)

You are assigned to a teacher who keeps up with your progress, has web meetings with your kids once a month, sends emails, collects your portfolio assignments throughout the year, etc. I believe most of the teachers are very flexible with the schedule - as long as they see that you are doing what you are supposed to be doing and making progress. You can log in hours on Sat and Sunday. I've actually done that before myself. And, we changed our spring break from the second week in April (when it was scheduled for all k12ers) to May 4-8 with no problem (we're actually leaving this Sunday for WDW My DH is in school and his break is next week - so it is really nice to have that flexibility)
I did tell the school and the school board that we were going to be doing k12. It was very easy - there was no paperwork or anything because k12 is a public online school - they keep up with our attendance and progress and report it to the board (another good thing about k12 - less work keeping your own records of everything to send to the state). I hope it works for you and you like it. Let me know if you think of any other questions. I'll be more than hapy to share what I know!