The timing is incredible. I hear in the news recently that Oregon public schools actually scored less than originally thought on standardized tests. If you read the story, click here, there was a computer glitch that scored all students higher by one percent.
Which is worse? The test scores of students or wondering who is running the testing system in the state of Oregon?
I read this article right after having my online information session with Connections Academy (CA). I am so excited! Things I learned are as follows:
1) Parents who were typing on this online conference need to take CA's typing course. It was like reading literal phonics. The moderator was one of CA's high school English teachers too. I felt her pain.
2) Attendance. Since CA is a public school, there is mandatory attendance. I asked how that was measured. In Oregon, there is a minimum "seat time" students must have. High schoolers must have 5.5 hours. Elementary school is around 4. The moderator was not 100% on that, but said she was in the ballpark. I got an eye opener on that. How much time is wasted in traditional classrooms? I am looking to finishing JM's school time by the time BH comes home from preschool.
3) CA has extra programs to help those students who are far behind their grade level. They also have accelerated programs for those who want to go ahead. Plus, they can also have students take community college courses in high school to prep for college. There were a bunch of specific questions on this because the questions were specific to each person's child. Suffice to say, I didn't see anyone who couldn't do CA. One participant has a child that has a pretty debilitating disease that has caused a lot of missed school because of hospital stays. This program will allow her to work at home, even in bed, if need be. In fact, her public school suggested she get a tutor at home instead of trying to achieve minimum attendance. Tutors cost! CA is completely free.
4) A 7th grader got on with her mom. She described going to school all day, currently, and then coming home to stacks of homework. She is overwhelmed and stressed out. She is excited to start this program, use her time to her pace, and actually be able to do a sport or something extra.
5) I also asked about a computer. We would need to get a computer just for JM. Mine is already tapped out with my candle stuff. ML's is already tapped out with his dissertation. I asked if we could buy a computer that is set with all the things they need (ie Word and Excel, webcam, speaker and microphone, etc). I know they offer computers at low or no cost to low income families--all decked out. Nope. Need to deck one out myself. Durn!
6) I got to see Natryn yesterday! See her link down below. Her twins are the best! BH got to play with them, and sure enough, he shushed them when they fussed. I think it was more of a comforting thing. When he shushes me, it's because I am talking. Too cute! She is pretty sure she will homeschool. We talked about CA and it is coming to her area soon, she is not in Oregon. So we could do field trips together, etc. I am hoping to find some others in this program before we begin so we can start nurturing the friendships kids need.
7) At JM's zoo trip last week, there were several parents there (thank the LORD!) and two other moms and I were talking about what to do with the kids next year. Their reasoning is that the current school the kids are in stops at first grade. My reasoning is, the other private school I found for the least expensive price is still too much for our budget. So we chatted about CA, and both of them wanted the info pack I had. Nice huh? That would be a dream if their two kids did it, because they are JM's friends, and again, the network would be great.
8) In addition to that, both of those moms expressed that they were frustrated paying tax dollars to the state education system, yet we're paying for private school. Not so with CA! It is a public school! All materials (minus the computer), books, etc are sent to the families. Natryn also bugged her eyes a bit yesterday "It's free??!"Yes, it is. In fact, it is cheaper in my state to do this than homeschool because I won't have to pay for curriculum. When I told Natryn how much a curriculum cost roughly, her eyes bugged again. It's nice knowing the tax dollars are going to this.
9) Now my friend in the state of California already has this luxury. The homeschool laws there have it so that if you do homeschool--one option (and it seems the most popular) is that you connect your family to a charter school, and get resources and materials there. The state allocates so much money for each student that way. I know why they do this. It keeps homeschool families happy, and yet keeps the "enrollment" people happy so that schools are not missing out on federal funding based upong student enrollment.
Click here for what has happened in my state with enrollment. Students doing poorly at school, families move to other districts (because the district won't give a boundary waiver--they lose funding! But they also lose community support), and people are flocking away from the city strictly because of schools. I overheard one of JM's schoolmates dad saying just today they are moving this summer for this very reason. Well, if the state of Oregon could get their homeschool/charter school situation in line, they wouldn't lose the federal funding they have. A few years ago, my county imposed an extra tax just to pull the schools out of the ditch--and that was for every family in our county. I can't imagine what low income families did for that. My cpa called it the "four hundred and fifty dollar hairball" we got to cough up.
The more I look at this topic, I realize how much my state really is stuck in a rut and won't look outside the box for alternatives to education that a lot of families want. Every time something like this goes before the state legislation, it fails or gets stuck in some back room committee never to be seen again. I really do admire the state of California for their innovation, and understanding the families want alternatives to traditional classroom education. Yet there are opportunities for the state of Oregon to offer education, like homeschool, like charter schools, etc. I can't imagine any mom and dad saying "I just love the idea of moving away, further from my job and community, so that Johnny can graduate with something in his head."
Now, do I think everyone should do CA? No, but I am mentioning all of this because it isn't well known, and I think a lot of people should know it as an option. I also think that "virtual schools" are definitely the wave of the future. I wouldn't be surprised in twenty years if most kids were educated this way, or a version of it. The internet has provided the world with such a global economy and awareness, it can only spill into education.
6) I got to see Natryn yesterday! See her link down below. Her twins are the best! BH got to play with them, and sure enough, he shushed them when they fussed. I think it was more of a comforting thing. When he shushes me, it's because I am talking. Too cute! She is pretty sure she will homeschool. We talked about CA and it is coming to her area soon, she is not in Oregon. So we could do field trips together, etc. I am hoping to find some others in this program before we begin so we can start nurturing the friendships kids need.
7) At JM's zoo trip last week, there were several parents there (thank the LORD!) and two other moms and I were talking about what to do with the kids next year. Their reasoning is that the current school the kids are in stops at first grade. My reasoning is, the other private school I found for the least expensive price is still too much for our budget. So we chatted about CA, and both of them wanted the info pack I had. Nice huh? That would be a dream if their two kids did it, because they are JM's friends, and again, the network would be great.
8) In addition to that, both of those moms expressed that they were frustrated paying tax dollars to the state education system, yet we're paying for private school. Not so with CA! It is a public school! All materials (minus the computer), books, etc are sent to the families. Natryn also bugged her eyes a bit yesterday "It's free??!"Yes, it is. In fact, it is cheaper in my state to do this than homeschool because I won't have to pay for curriculum. When I told Natryn how much a curriculum cost roughly, her eyes bugged again. It's nice knowing the tax dollars are going to this.
9) Now my friend in the state of California already has this luxury. The homeschool laws there have it so that if you do homeschool--one option (and it seems the most popular) is that you connect your family to a charter school, and get resources and materials there. The state allocates so much money for each student that way. I know why they do this. It keeps homeschool families happy, and yet keeps the "enrollment" people happy so that schools are not missing out on federal funding based upong student enrollment.
Click here for what has happened in my state with enrollment. Students doing poorly at school, families move to other districts (because the district won't give a boundary waiver--they lose funding! But they also lose community support), and people are flocking away from the city strictly because of schools. I overheard one of JM's schoolmates dad saying just today they are moving this summer for this very reason. Well, if the state of Oregon could get their homeschool/charter school situation in line, they wouldn't lose the federal funding they have. A few years ago, my county imposed an extra tax just to pull the schools out of the ditch--and that was for every family in our county. I can't imagine what low income families did for that. My cpa called it the "four hundred and fifty dollar hairball" we got to cough up.
The more I look at this topic, I realize how much my state really is stuck in a rut and won't look outside the box for alternatives to education that a lot of families want. Every time something like this goes before the state legislation, it fails or gets stuck in some back room committee never to be seen again. I really do admire the state of California for their innovation, and understanding the families want alternatives to traditional classroom education. Yet there are opportunities for the state of Oregon to offer education, like homeschool, like charter schools, etc. I can't imagine any mom and dad saying "I just love the idea of moving away, further from my job and community, so that Johnny can graduate with something in his head."
Now, do I think everyone should do CA? No, but I am mentioning all of this because it isn't well known, and I think a lot of people should know it as an option. I also think that "virtual schools" are definitely the wave of the future. I wouldn't be surprised in twenty years if most kids were educated this way, or a version of it. The internet has provided the world with such a global economy and awareness, it can only spill into education.
There you have it. Unless something drastic happens, this is what we are doing for second grade. If we have money troubles this year and tuition gets to be too much, we'll also enroll early.
That is the plan. I can't wait.
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