Posted by Amy on March 27 2008 at 11:00:46:
In Reply to: Cyber-schooling in PA posted by Annette on March 27 2008 at 08:59:55:
Hi Annette,
Your decision to try a cyber school with your son, I think, is a good one. Both of my children have been long time cyber schoolers. (This is the first year that weīve traditionally homeschooled.) Not all cyber schools are the same, and some are better than others. They also have different styles and methods of teaching. Some allow you the freedom to explore things on your own, while others are quite demanding of your time, and require you to follow their curriculum to a "T". I recommend doing your homework and researching cybers before comitting to one. While talking with other parents from the cyber schools that my kids were in , I know that many kids that werenīt doing well in the public schools, especially high schoolers, do very well in the cyber schools. I think the main reason is that there arenīt as many distractions as there are in the classrooms. There arenīt as many pressures either. If you live in the Philly area, there is one very close to you that offers special classes at the site if your son qualifies. Itīs the PA Leadership Charter School. Itīs main site is in West Chester, which is close to Philly depending on where youīre at. He doesnīt have to attend the classes. He can just do the cyber school online. All expenses are paid.
I would like to add that your son hasnīt been "broken" by the public school system. It just hasnīt worked for him. Due to his disability, he probably has a different learning style that the schools havenīt been able to tap into. It is probably like fitting a round peg into a square hole. It just doesnīt work, and heīs probably very frustrated. He may not learn like your daughters do, but that doesnīt mean that heīs a lost cause. Grades do not reflect oneīs intelligence, despite what society has told us. Once you find his learning style, Iīll bet youīll see marked improvement. If I were you, I wouldnīt be so focused on just getting him through high school. Iīd focus more on what he finds interesting, his strengths, to try to find out how he learns. This will not only help him get through school, but get through life. We never stop learning. High school is only the beginning. He will have more confidence in himself, will make better decisions, and be a happier person for it in the long run.
I wish you all the best,
Amy