Posted by Diana L on March 27 2008 at 11:00:36:
In Reply to: Cyber-schooling in PA posted by Annette on March 27 2008 at 08:59:55:
Although I do not yet have high school aged children, nor do I cyber-school, I am compelled to answer your questions.
You need to do what you think is best for your son. If cyber-schooling sounds like the right answer for your family´s situation, by all means go for it. Please do not be discouraged by the idea that it is not "pure homeschooling."
With regard to the secular-ness of cyber-schooling, it sounds to me like you´ve already done a pretty good job of planting a moral foundation in your child, and having him at home with you will enable you to continue building on that moral and religious foundation, regardless of the curriculum utilized by the cyber-school you choose.
Cyber-schooling may not be for everyone, but I know of two families very close to my heart who have chosen to cyber-school their high school age children, and the fruits of that choice have been very positive.
As a homeschooling mother yourself, I know you know that closer relationships, solid moral and social grounding, and being able to keep a much closer eye on the child´s academics, while being confident that the child is receiving the education he deserves are more important than what other people think about your homeschooling choices.
The prospect of bringing a high school aged child home to school after years of brick and mortar schooling must be very daunting; as a "pure homeschooler," I do not begrudge any mother who is overwhelmed or scared by the idea of taking older kids out of school and being totally responsible for their education at home.
As you have demonstrated in your post, everyone´s family situation is unique. Since my tax dollars are going to be used for public education anyway, I believe cyber-schooling is a good way to divert those dollars towards the most effective educational methods possible for each individual family.
I don´t mean to go on and on; it´s just that I realize there is an anti-cyber faction in the homeschooling movement, and although I do think the public school system in general is broken, I don´t think it serves our families to discourage parents from cyber-schooling just because it is "public school at home" and therefore controlled by the state.
Best wishes to you in your decision.