Agora Cyber Charter School or Unschooling in PA?

[eliyah]

Hi! I've been trying to read through all the posts in the K-12 Virutal school threads, but I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. I felt confident in my choice until I started reading some of those posts, and now I am feeling nervous.

Honestly, I would love to unschool, but I am unfamiliar with the laws in PA, which I understand are pretty tough.

If anyone has any specific experience with Agora and/or with unschooling in NEPA, I would love to hear your thoughts/suggestions/etc.

Thanks so much!

Eliyah

Oh, let me mention, I am mom to only one son;, he's been in PA Pre-K counts for two years, and is supposed to start K in Sept. He's 4, will be 5 in early Aug. Thanks

[magnolia_mama]

Hi Eliyah,

The PA law doesn't require you to do anything until your child is 8 years old. You do not have to report to the school district, keep records or do anything at all until then. PA is one of the more "strict" states in regards to homeschooling, but it is not impossible to unschool.

We are enrolled in PA Virtual for the fall (which uses k-12 curriculum, same as Agora) and are really looking forward to it. I will have a 3rd and Kindergartener who have always been homeschooled in the program. Feel free to pm me with any questions.

[mamajake]

I have been homeschooling in PA for 9 years. The reporting is annoying and, I find, time-consuming, but lots of people unschool and comply. It is not nearly as scary as it looks

[lizziebits]

No personal experience, but my DH teaches for an (awesome) PA cyber charter, and he has told Agora has had some majors issues lately. Some pretty serious issues with the administration I think. Anyway I didn't know if you were familiar with the recent. stuff going on. I'm not sure how its effected the quality of their educational offerings.

[eliyah]

Thanks!

Thanks everyone!

magnolia_mama, I will definitely message you, thanks!

mamajake, it does seem scary.

lizziebits- no, I hadn't heard! I am interested, though, because I feel nervous. The thing is, I've already enrolled him. Can I get out of it?

[mamajake]

@lizziebits, is Agora the one with all the indictments? I recall reading last year that the administration of one of the cybers was in some legal trouble.

@eliyah, you can always withdraw a registered child and, as long as the child has not attended public (which would include Charter) first grade you will still have no obligation to report in PA until the child is 8.

I have hs'ed my almost 16 year old since 2nd grade, my 13 year old since halfway through kindergarten and my special needs 10 year old from the start. Producing three portfolios every year is stressful but manageable. But just having completed standardized testing for the year, I am feeling a bit full of myself.

A very good thing to know is that there is a solid support community here in PA. I can always find someone with suggestions for how to deal with a PA hsing issue. Be not afraid.

[eliyah]

Originally Posted by mamajake

@lizziebits, is Agora the one with all the indictments? I recall reading last year that the administration of one of the cybers was in some legal trouble.

@eliyah, you can always withdraw a registered child and, as long as the child has not attended public (which would include Charter) first grade you will still have no obligation to report in PA until the child is 8.

I have hs'ed my almost 16 year old since 2nd grade, my 13 year old since halfway through kindergarten and my special needs 10 year old from the start. Producing three portfolios every year is stressful but manageable. But just having completed standardized testing for the year, I am feeling a bit full of myself.

A very good thing to know is that there is a solid support community here in PA. I can always find someone with suggestions for how to deal with a PA hsing issue. Be not afraid.

mamajake, thanks so much! Good info! Now, let me just make sure I understand that as long as he has not attended public school first grade, is what you're saying, right? I am just wanting to be clear, because he has attended 2 years of preschool through the PA pre-K counts program--which is what turned me off to schooling to begin with. Not that it's not a good program. It is. But it's not the direction I want to go with my son. I see how he is more advanced in many ways than some of the other children, but isn't encouraged in his creativity, etc. Basically, it's like when I was in school...be one of the number. So, I am just really nervous, because I am sure they report he's been in that program; and I don't want to be harassed by my school district or what have you. Although, I only have one...so maybe having to have a portfolio for one wouldn't be so bad?

I definitely want to know more about Agora's issues! I don't want to have any part of that. The reason I was wanting to use it, honestly, is because I am not sure if I can teach my son to read. Yes, I've sat down with him before and tried a bit and he's not into it. Sorry for being a nervous nelly, but I am new to this whole thing.

Thanks again! I am so appreciative!

[Dar]

You might want to PM eilonwy, or search for her posts here... I'm pretty sure she's had her kids at Agora for a few years now...

[mamajake]

Here is what came up on a quick Google search: http://www.allbusiness.com/legal/tri...3200538-1.html Looks like that part settled and someone who is registered there would know how things are going now.

Check out http://www.AskPauline.com for what I think is the most reliable info on homeschooling in PA. I didn't check before reporting for my eldest who had gone to *private* school through first grade and started reporting sooner than I had to. Last I checked, your son must attend public first grade or you need not report until he is 8.

I know many people are very happy with cybers but if it isn't your first choice, don't feel forced into it because you are afraid of reporting. You can do it.

[eliyah]

Dar, wow, thanks!

Mamajake, thanks again! I will definitely check out those links!