Charter school or independent?

[CParker]

DH has finally agreed to officially HS next fall, when our oldest will be kindergarten-age. Now the decision is to use one of the public charter school options available or go independent.

We live in California, so filing as an independent private school is very easy and requires minimal (almost laughable) documentation. There are no testing requirements, portfolios, etc.

We also have two public homeschool charters available. One has a reputation of being very flexible and open to various styles of learning, the other slightly less so. Documentation sounds fairly minimal, but kids would be subject to state standardized testing starting in second grade. The perk: $1,800 per year to spend on materials, classes, etc.

What are some of the pro's and con's of each? What have you chosen to do?

[MamaMonica]

We've both been independent and done different public school programs (like charters) for homeschoolers. It just depends on what will work for your family. And that often changes year by year.

Do you want some structured classes with other kids that you don't have to seek out? If so, you might like the PS program. Since there won't be standarized testing at K, and generally they are pretty laid back at that level, it just depends on how independent you want to be. If you want more freedom, then independent is the way to go.

You can also change your mind if it doesn't work. Good luck with your decision!

[Momma Aimee]

Originally Posted by CParker

DH has finally agreed to officially HS next fall, when our oldest will be kindergarten-age. Now the decision is to use one of the public charter school options available or go independent.

We live in California, so filing as an independent private school is very easy and requires minimal (almost laughable) documentation. There are no testing requirements, portfolios, etc.

We also have two public homeschool charters available. One has a reputation of being very flexible and open to various styles of learning, the other slightly less so. Documentation sounds fairly minimal, but kids would be subject to state standardized testing starting in second grade. The perk: $1,800 per year to spend on materials, classes, etc.

What are some of the pro's and con's of each? What have you chosen to do?

IMO

if the only con is the testing in 2nd (and on) I would totally go with the Chart and get the $$ ...if nothing else you can go that K, 1 and 2 .. if the testing is a bad thing -- you change then and have had 3 years of the money to buy good quality stuff ...

i would at least start out with it

JMO

[theretohere]

I would not do the charter school, personally. I don't consider it homeschooling- it's an extension of public school, with the accountability and strings attached. Part of the reason I homeschool is to do it my way within the bounds of the law.

[ChristaN]

Although I have friends who have used an online charter school longer term, I guess that my perspective is that it is a good intermediary step when moving from ps to hs. The first year can be nerve wracking in terms of feeling like you are covering all of the bases. Having someone provide you all of the curriculum or buying a boxed curriculum gives that added reassurance that you are hitting on everything. However, much like a boxed curriculum, it also provides constraints on what you do. In the long-run, I'd rather do it independently.

[ocelotmom]

A lot of families in my homeschool group use charters for financial reasons. They're simply able to offer so many more opportunities with that extra dedicated school money. The vast majority of them feel that the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks... even the dedicated unschoolers, who continue with their unschooling without significant change on the child's end of things and just figure out how to document it appropriately.

[CParker]

Thanks for everyone's feedback. At this point we're leaning towards the more flexible of the charter schools. They do seem fairly hands-off, do not provide curriculum (although will pay for it if you choose) and do not hold any classes of their own.

We can try it out for Kindergarten and if it doesn't work out we can always pull the plug. I might feel better with a little hand-holding my first year too.

[CParker]

Originally Posted by theretohere

I would not do the charter school, personally. I don't consider it homeschooling- it's an extension of public school, with the accountability and strings attached. Part of the reason I homeschool is to do it my way within the bounds of the law.

I've been thinking about this lately, and this: http://westandforhomeschooling.org/res/index.php

I understand all the struggles families have undergone to make independent homeschooling legal, and I truly appreciate that. We absolutely should be vigilant about keeping it that way. But I also think if homeschool/independent studies charters encourage public schools to break out of their assembly line model and provide some alternatives, that's great too.

[yippityskippity]

Originally Posted by ocelotmom

A lot of families in my homeschool group use charters for financial reasons. They're simply able to offer so many more opportunities with that extra dedicated school money. The vast majority of them feel that the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks... even the dedicated unschoolers, who continue with their unschooling without significant change on the child's end of things and just figure out how to document it appropriately.

We're with a charter. Actually, just switched to a different one. It is strictly for financial reasons at this point. I would LOVE to homeschool independently. Maybe someday

If you do go with a charter ask VERY specific questions about funding, reporting, portfolios, testing, etc. and insist on straightforward answers. We just left a charter that was evasive in their answers and it turns out that what I *thought* they'd provide was very different from reality.

[yippityskippity]

Originally Posted by CParker

I've been thinking about this lately, and this: http://westandforhomeschooling.org/res/index.php

I understand all the struggles families have undergone to make independent homeschooling legal, and I truly appreciate that. We absolutely should be vigilant about keeping it that way. But I also think if homeschool/independent studies charters encourage public schools to break out of their assembly line model and provide some alternatives, that's great too.

I agree with you 100%.

One comment about something I read on the linked site: "WHEREAS the biggest difference between homeschools and publicly-funded school programs is that homeschoolers take direct responsibility by choosing a curriculum, an approach to learning, and the principles and values on which these are based while publicly-funded school program parents accept and follow detailed instructions about what to learn and how to learn it, using a curriculum designed to comply with state requirements and values;"

What they wrote is an inaccurate generalization. Certainly some charters have more specific expectations than others, but that hasn't been my experience AT ALL.

I'm with a charter and I have direct responsibility for choosing the curriculum, I can use sectarian materials if I want (the charter won't buy them, but I'm free to use them), I decide on the "approach to learning" (we're heavily influenced by Charlotte Mason) and tailor things to DD's learning style.

Just wanted to address that bit of information.

[theretohere]

Originally Posted by CParker

I've been thinking about this lately, and this: http://westandforhomeschooling.org/res/index.php

I understand all the struggles families have undergone to make independent homeschooling legal, and I truly appreciate that. We absolutely should be vigilant about keeping it that way. But I also think if homeschool/independent studies charters encourage public schools to break out of their assembly line model and provide some alternatives, that's great too.

It may encourage that, but there's also concern for some people on whether or not it will make independent homeschooling more difficult. And the available charter here has a LOT of oversight.

[skueppers]

If there were a totally awesome charter program here, I might consider it. I have a friend who lives in a place where her kids can take interesting classes at their homeschool charter program and they'll buy whatever curriculum she wants to use. I don't object to testing -- I object to what testing does to the TEACHING that precedes it.

As it is, I live in a state with a monolithic public school system. Our charter laws essentially prevent the creation and success of charter schools. So I'm not likely to have such a choice anytime soon!

I do understand the issues involved, and I certainly believe that we should have the right to go our own way in educating our kids!

[rainbowmoon]

Originally Posted by theretohere

I would not do the charter school, personally. I don't consider it homeschooling- it's an extension of public school, with the accountability and strings attached. Part of the reason I homeschool is to do it my way within the bounds of the law.

my thoughts exactly.

[craft_media_hero]

Well, I had another post written, and right when I submitted, my internet connection went out

We are in a charter.

My take is that unless you really need the money to buy supplies (and an issue I have is that really NO homeschool kid needs that much money for materials every year, it is kind of over the top), then the red tape is not worth it.

Negatives-
have to meet IRL w/ "resource consultant" monthly-definitely feels like the state is keeping tabs on us; and tho she's really kind, I just think it's a PITA
have to log hours on a system that doesn't recognize how kids really learn
have to stick to learning plan for the year even when needs/desires change (ie our plan was for Spanish/Sign Language; well dd has been BEGGING to do Greek and Latin, none of our funds will cover any Greek/Latin materials, and we can't count those hours, lame)
they can pressure/require you to do testing that is unnecessary and innacurate--dd has to do reading entrance/exit, and the tester was WAY off (kept getting her name wrong and only sat with her for maybe 5 min) IMO, leveled her at the lowest level for 1st grade, even tho she's reading classical texts with more complex that are not DRA leveled.

Positives-
the money BUT this is a PITA too unless you have a grand laying around to front for all your materials at once, otherwise reimbursement process is slow, ridiculous, and our charter can't buy upfront unless you prove "extenuating" circumstances--you basically have to plead about how poor you are and that's demeaning to the lower income families IMO
having a community? but our community is a lot older, everyone has way more kids, and is predominately Christian. So the community factor we have had to find elsewhere anyways as we don't really click with our charter group.

Looking back now, I wish I had winged it. DD wasn't even required to have her intent to homeschool in for K until 7yo; now she is one grade level further in "the system" and I wish that I would have waited and bought us more time to just relax. I do stress the testing and stuff.

[sha_lyn]

Originally Posted by theretohere

I would not do the charter school, personally. I don't consider it homeschooling- it's an extension of public school, with the accountability and strings attached. Part of the reason I homeschool is to do it my way within the bounds of the law.

Originally Posted by theretohere

It may encourage that, but there's also concern for some people on whether or not it will make independent homeschooling more difficult. And the available charter here has a LOT of oversight.

I realize that in some states such as CA and AK that there is a lot of flexability with public "homeschool" charters. However I live in GA where the VCS is very much "public school at home" and that seems to be the trend in states that are in the process of legalizing VCSs. Most of the homeschoolers I know that tried out GVA dropped it within a few months.

[porque]

I am in CA and the charter school we are in is very flexible as to what we can use, and we have switched things up frequently. Furthermore, in CA, (don't know about other states) the school is required to provide special ed services that are needed. So if your child needs speech therapy, or whatever, the school is mandated to provide it. This might be beneficial to some homeschoolers.

[theretohere]

Originally Posted by sha_lyn

I realize that in some states such as CA and AK that there is a lot of flexability with public "homeschool" charters. However I live in GA where the VCS is very much "public school at home" and that seems to be the trend in states that are in the process of legalizing VCSs. Most of the homeschoolers I know that tried out GVA dropped it within a few months.

I know a lot of people who really liked the charter for the help offered and especially the money- and then found it to be really limiting and stifling. I just want people to realize that if you are part of a charter- you aren't homeschooling really- you are part of a school program at home. And that changes things, sometimes in ways that you don't see right away.

[kittie313]

Not in Cali but I do have a K'er in a state-funded virtual academy (online charter school) I have no issues with it for this grade, but my oldest was in ps last school year so the structure is much needed here this year to help us be successful. While it may be "public school at home" as some others have said, it is extremely beneficial to some of us for the structure. And my dh and I don't see standardized testing as a bad thing either, we see it as another tool to help us teach our children by identifying the weak areas so that we can work on them. (pardon, I have eternal PMS and am a tad touchy at the moment, especially since I have 3 of my 4 kids awake already at 4:30am)

[rainbowmoon]

Your school district is required to provided services whether your kid goes to public school or not. (this is one of the things tax dollars pay for). You don't have to put your kid in public school to get services such as speech therapy.

Originally Posted by porque

I am in CA and the charter school we are in is very flexible as to what we can use, and we have switched things up frequently. Furthermore, in CA, (don't know about other states) the school is required to provide special ed services that are needed. So if your child needs speech therapy, or whatever, the school is mandated to provide it. This might be beneficial to some homeschoolers.

[sha_lyn]

Originally Posted by porque

I am in CA and the charter school we are in is very flexible as to what we can use, and we have switched things up frequently. Furthermore, in CA, (don't know about other states) the school is required to provide special ed services that are needed. So if your child needs speech therapy, or whatever, the school is mandated to provide it. This might be beneficial to some homeschoolers.

I believe that it is Federal law that that a local PS system must provide special ed services (when requested) for all children in its district whether they are enrolled in the school system or not.