What do you do? - Page 2

[barbara]

Yes my sons both have gone to college after being unschooled . Neither of them had to take a G.E.D. One went to the Community College first and had to take the same entrance exam that every student takes. He had a much easier time adjusting to college life than his peers that were schooled all thier lives, because in college you have to take responsibility for your own learning and time management and he had been doing that all his life. The other ds went to a private college and is now working on his masters. I also have a grown dd that is married and raising a family. She is an extrordinary woman who plans to unschool her children also.

There are many options available for homeschool grads. and I assume there will be even more when your children are ready to enter college or the work force.

[SagMom]

Originally posted by stellasmum
What is a charter school? Is there ever a point in the child's education that they are required to pass a test (other than G.E.D.)? Has anyone had homeschooled children already gone on to college and made the transition just fine?

A charter school is a public school. At least, in my state, that's true. Apparently, the rules are different from state to state.

On testing, again, it depends on which state you live in. Some have testing requirements and others don't. You'd have to check the laws for your state.

[stellasmum]

Thanks for the replies Barbara and Joan. It is amazing to me what options exist in guiding our children....especially amazing that not many of my peers take full advantage of these options!! I look forward to learning more and more through these forums and every other possible source to get the full spectrum.

[Fieryfly]

Ask me next week and my answer may be different!

We are relaxed eclectic homeschoolers. We use a mishmash of different materials and methods. I enjoy reading about the different learning and teaching philosophies and methods out there. I take what might work in our homeschool and leave the rest.

I really try to emphasize my child's role in his own learning. At some points I allow him lots of flexibility in our homeschool structure, and at other times the structure goes out the window. Our homeschooling goes in cycles of being very "industrious" in the school-sense, and at other times we sit back and just enjoy life together.

Does this answer your question?
Also my oldest is enrolled in a charter school's "personalized learning" program which is geared towards homeschoolers.

[BrandyMama]

MilkbarMom-those are the exact things that we spent our funds on...lol.

We are unschoolers who are making it work within the charter school system. We are there purely for the educational funds. It has taken a while to get in the groove of what we need to report to our educational specialist, but we're finally getting there!

[lizzie]

Stellasmum!!

I have heard about some families who really HAD to have both parents working or single parents having their 'school age' children in a more or less daycare setting - some with homeschooling families, or likeminded members of your own family, maybe you could hook up with a HS group in your area - so their children weren't trapped in the machine, and did their teaching and learning from each other when they could. I think where there's a will, there's a way! Maybe another HS family could use a little more income, and could facilitate your dd's HSing during the day, and the three of you could work on it together in the evenings and weekends. I've also seen some great books about homeschooling as richly and cheaply as possible! Check out your local library. Don't give up on the dream!

[stellasmum]

Wow Lizzie! Those are awesome (and obvious) ideas! I wouldn't have thought of it even though a friend and I have a similar arrangement for babysitting. I have to remember to use my own resources and rely less on the system....(see how traditional schooling can shrink creativity??)

I appreciate the ideas....I won't give up. I am GLAD I'm researching well before dd's school age.

Gina ild

daughter Stella 18 mo :binky
partner Alex