Online Homeschool Programs for Homeschooling Education
From Kindergarten & K12 Homeschools to High School & College Home Schooling Programs
Homeschooling is a subject on which too little is known. Until recently, there are still lost of people viewed it as a fringe movement of religious zealots and survivalists who were hostile to public school and government. In recent years, homeschool programs have expanded, with the government estimating that about 2 percent of students are being schooled at home, “at home school“. Further, studies of homeschooling families suggest much greater diversity than was previously assumed.
Charter schools and curriculum providers have emerged to serve this population, and a large proportion receive at least some of their education in local public or private schools. As homeschooling schools has become more widespread, major policy questions have emerged. The question posed is why and how public schools might provide educational support for homeschooling programs, homeschooling families and their children.
We may highlight the distinction between independent homeschooling and a recent phenomenon that bears superficial resemblance, use of a school enrollment option that includes learning on- and off-site, where the latter is relegated to the guidance of parents. Some public schools have become adept at attracting families interested in home-based education into their programs, and at the same time they have created a new category of student that can’t quite be considered a homeschooler. We call these students enrolled home-based students of the public homeschool, for want of a better term.
The distinctions have become blurred indeed, as some homeschoolers retain their independence and may use public resources only now and then (using online home school curriculum), while others are willing to surrender their independence and accept the public-school curriculum and assessment procedures. These latter students look like enrolled students except that they are off-site, doing homeschool learning usually at home, much of the school week.
We see the advantages to school districts of provision of support for online homeschool programs. As a concrete reminder of the fact that they are “all our children”, the average tenure of homeschooling is probably about two years, meaning that, de facto, the public schools share educational responsibilities with most, though not all, homeschooling families.
Part-time attendance by homeschoolers in public-school classes and other activities is also common, with the result that many students receive at least a portion of their education in specialized courses in the public schools. There are many considerations in starting a partnership with homeschoolers, including financial issues, accountability, and establishing mutual respect and collaboration.
