Quote:
Originally Posted by BrandyMama
Did you really experience this where you lived before? That is such a shame and it amazes me that homeschoolers are not more openminded about individual choice. Makes me feel lucky that we don't have that kind of division in our local homeschool group.
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While I'm not the person you asked this of...I can tell you that I've seen it quite a bit!
We didn't really have a problem personally with it but that may be because we are often one of the families that has been homeschooling the longest in any given group. I think it often depends on people's agendas. There are those that are very politically motivated about the whole idea of homeschooling...different people have different reasons for doing what they do and sometimes that will really show up.
I think there are also often divisions in homeschooling philosophy. There are those that are school at home types and those that aren't and sometimes that can be difficult if one is wanting a group type situation. Although, our children have always been involved in different activities with children that go to private school, public school, do school at home, unschool and any other possibility and they seem to do well together. I think it's usually the parents rather than the children.
We used to be in a Charter program in Northern California and just recently left the program. We're on our own and I prefer it that way. It just really depends on what you are wanting to deal with.
I'm not sure that we will file a PSA or maybe go with WRA or something like that at this point.
Tiffani - I would say that several of the charters are similar to what you have described with around $1000 a year for approved materials/classes. Some offer more funding (especially for high school) some may offer less. I think that most do require monthly meetings/reports though. Some will say they require testing but the truth is that there is no required testing in California.
Unfortuantely...I found it near impossible to be unschooling and involved in the charter...unless I wanted to lie. Over the years the hoops have become more and more. I have found that they often talk a good game and appear to be willing to work with whatever the learning philosophy is but when it comes down to it...it really doesn't support unschooling.