Homeschooling, how much of an investment is needed, and any other advice

[CaliTex]

SO much good advice and wisdom--but I would expect that from home school parents.

I found the advice/observations from the college prof interesting. I think it is important to impart discipline and structure so that when they go to college (or simply venture out into the real world) they are able to understand unpleasant assignments and difficult people are a part of life, and they have to be completed and endured. I used to say things like, "I'm sorry you don't like this assignment. I don't like laundry, but I love clean clothes, don't you? Now do the fractions, and not another word."

Also, my kids were very involved in athletics and held part time jobs as teens.That helped them learn time management, discipline, delaying gratification, and working toward a goal with other people.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

One of the more impressive efforts to homeschool that I've heard is about single mom in our area. She homeschools her children and supports herself through consignment sales! I think she shops garage sales on the weekends for upscale children's clothing and then sells them in large consignment sales. I seriously applaud her dedication and her creativity in her "employment".

If you know the mom well, get her onto Facebook BST sites. Consignment fees are often 15-30% depending on the sale/volume. Paypal fees are about 3%. She will greatly increase her profit.

 

[Tink-aholic]

I am a public high school teacher and I am another vote against homeschool. I see many kids whose parents have taught them K-8 and then decide they want to send them to a public high school (which I understand, if for no other reason than for the lab sciences, the advanced math courses, and AP/IB opportunities). But the kids are maladjusted and do not have age-appropriate social skills nor do they have adequate study skills. I am required by law to give accommodations to students with IEP/504 plans, but I find I often end up giving the same accommodations to the previously-homeschooled students, as well -- just so they don't fall behind. In my experience as a teacher or a mother, I have not met a student who was successfully homeschooled for a long period of time.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I am a public high school teacher and I am another vote against homeschool. I see many kids whose parents have taught them K-8 and then decide they want to send them to a public high school (which I understand, if for no other reason than for the lab sciences, the advanced math courses, and AP/IB opportunities). But the kids are maladjusted and do not have age-appropriate social skills nor do they have adequate study skills. I am required by law to give accommodations to students with IEP/504 plans, but I find I often end up giving the same accommodations to the previously-homeschooled students, as well -- just so they don't fall behind. In my experience as a teacher or a mother, I have not met a student who was successfully homeschooled for a long period of time.

It's unfortunate that you've probably been exposed to the exception of homeschoolers, not the norm. I'd be amazed if you've interacted with more than 1-2 in your classroom per year. If you do interact with more, than maybe your city is a bad area for homeschooling. Just like there are a lot of bad areas for public schools, I'm sure there are some for homeschools, too.

Op, I interact with and teach homeschooled high schoolers all the time. I previously also tutored (for years) both gifted and remedial public school students. I can tell you, as a group, the homeschooled high schoolers are as socialized (and possibly better, b/c they treat each other with more openness for differences, friendliness, and less cliquishness), as motivated, and as talented as any gifted or remedial student I have ever taught. Are they perfect - nope. No student is. But I don't denigrate an entire class of student as "maladjusted" b/c I may have interacted with a few who didn't meet my expectations. If I did, I could tell you that I'd probably have to denigrate every schooling system (public, private, and homeschooled) there is.

So, don't be scared off by one bad apple story. Whatever schooling you choose, do it b/c it's best for your child and your family and know you take the decision one day at a time. Nothing is ever forever and any decision can be changed if it isn't working. Also, be aware of the enormous growth of educational opportunities and learning available on the web. From Khan Academy to Crash Course to MIT Open Courseware online to Coursera to online AP class offerings to CK-12, etc, the ability to tailor a junior high and high school education using help from those resources can be priceless.

I will mention my oldest child (not quite high school thanks to arbitrary age laws, but taking all high school level courses) is learning Japanese 1, Honors Biology (with 2 and 1/2 Hour In-Person Labs per week for 90 hours of just lab time planned this year - way beats my high school experience for lab work), Geometry, 20th Century Fantasy Literature, World Geography, Personal Finance, and American Parliamentary Debate this year. I am using a former public school teacher, a certified biologist, a published paid author, Khan/Crash Course/MIT Online, textbooks, video courses, Netflix, and myself to provide the education for my child. She has 4 group classroom experiences (all paid by me - that's the one sucky thing for homeschooling), 1 1-on-1 tutoring experience with extra at home learning, and the rest at home with me. Nowhere in the homeschool manual does it say you have to teach everything yourself sitting at a dining room table for their whole 13 years. Instead, you can provide the best experience in the interests they have. For example, I never would have been able to get her a Japanese class in my local public school, but it's the language she really wants to learn. And now, she'll be getting ready to take her level 5 proficiency test this year. Homeschooling gives you the ability to explore their interests at the levels they are at in the way that you want and works for them. That is priceless.

 

[jahber]

It does take time. Even though my son uses computer based materials, my wife still has to check on him and review his grades and help him where he needs help. Typically, the school day starts at 8am for my son, and he is finished or nearly finished by lunch time. My daughter will start before lunch and end in the afternoon. After school is done, they will go for a long walk for their PE time. So, you may want to look at quitting your job to have the time required.
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Also, there are many choices for your cover or umbrella organization. This is the organization that you belong to and will handle the necessary reporting or other requirements. There are many ranging from pay your money and send us your grades, to requiring you teach certain subjects and following all their rules. It depends on which one you want to go with. For us, we are members of one umbrella organization where we pay $10 a year and send them the grades at the end of the school year. Also, some umbrella organizations will have defined start of classes and end of classes. For us, we set our own schedule where we start after the 4th of July and end in May with more frequent breaks during the year.

Great post! And I agree with everything you've said (I'm also a former teacher who quit to stay home. I have 4 kids, two of whom are school age and have been homeschooled since day 1--the oldest is in 7th). My one caveat is to check local laws regarding umbrella schools. In Florida, using an umbrella school means you are not officially homeschooling. Only people registered with the county (ones who have sent an intent to homeschool letter) are considered by the state to be homeschooling. This is important because the laws for homeschoolers are different from the laws for private schooled kids.
Private school kids (or umbrella school kids) must meet the state attendance requirement of 180 days. They must also submit grades to the state. The reporting is done by the school, which is what you pay for.
Homeschooled students do not have to conduct 180 days of school or submit grades. This is significant in that it affects flexibility--we aim for 180 days or the equivalent, although I only count actual instruction days, as opposed to schools, which count any day school is in session regardless of what going on. However, some days we do "double school" in preparation of a vacation or field trip. That's technically not allowed if you umbrella school (although no one would ever know if you reported it as two days, I guess).
Anyway, all that to say read the laws very carefully. In Florida if you aren't county registered, you aren't homeschooled in the eyes of the state, which can also mean you aren't eligible to use the resources at your local school. My daughter takes two band classes at our local middle school, and homeschooled students can take other electives and play sports.