Daily, I skim the various Facebook groups I am a part of for my kids’ sports / activities and this question jumps out:
“I want to start homeschooling or online schooling but I don’t know where to start.” Another ending to this statement is often, “but I work full-time”.
I don’t have all the answers- far from it, but I can provide insights based on our experience. I also can state with confidence that technology is better than ever and the options are endless.
Step One:
Determine your “Why”. Why do you want to start homeschooling or online schooling (or a hybrid of the two)? You need to ask yourself some serious questions.
Step Two:
Research your options. Your goal is to become familiar with the following approaches and determine which one best fits your “why”. Our private Facebook group is a great place to ask questions and gain insight into online school and e-learning.
Option 1:
Traditional Homeschool: parent led, parent selects curriculum, and parent is the teacher and the assessor
Option 2:
Traditional Homeschool and Local Co-Op: Parent led, parent selects curriculum with the exception of classes or activities through a local Co-Op (these vary depending on the community)
Option 3:
Online Public School: Exactly what it says it is- public school but via computer; these programs are not homeschool and they follow common core and state regulations
Option 4:
Online Private All-In-One: Similar to private brick and mortar school, private school curriculum in an online setting (may or may not be secular); providers are teachers and assessors
Option 5:
Online Ala Carte: Parent selected curriculum from a variety of online providers; providers are teachers and assessors
Option 6:
Hybrid: Mix of online and traditional curriculum; may also include a Co-Op
