Hello everyone!  I'm sorry I haven't been keeping up this blog.  Please visit me at my other blog for a detailed account of the past month.  Lots of exciting stuff in our lives!

We are now living in Alaska.  Homeschooling here has a couple of options.  One option is out and out hsing.  There are no regulations, no reporting, no testing.  Just do your thing.  This is amazing.

Another option is charter school.  Because there are so many children in the bush, without access to public schools, there are many many public school charter schools.  The state funds these and through this option the student recieves "x" amount of money to spend on homeschool.  This purchases curriculum, classes (like music or PE classes of any kind), computers, musical instruments, supplies, etc.  That is an awesome deal, especially for people like us who could certainly use the help.  However, with that comes regulation.  The students have to be tested yearly, the parent has to check in with a teacher at least once a month and then turn in class work each quarter.  Grades are issued by the charter school.

I think the charter school system here has more flexibility because the parent does get to chose the curriculum and method.  (from an approved list, but the list is pretty comprehensive) 

However, I don't want to sell my freedoms.

Then again, my children could certainly benefit from those music lessons and karate classes.  Or hockey lessons.  Or whatever.  We won't be able to afford them otherwise.

We have decided to just continue on our current path for this year and continue checking into the various charter schools and such for next year.  Enrollment starts in April, so we have a few months to decide.  Meanwhile, I am talking with other homeschool parents in our area.  So far all of them I've spoken to use the charter school systems and love it. 

I think the local hs group meets tomorrow night.  I hope to talk to them about it as well.

As it is, I am getting pressure from my mother to go the charter school route.  And the sooner the better.  She does not approve of our decision to wait until next year and insists I call and get my kids enrolled ASAP so they can get started on these music lessons and a sport of some kind.  She is worried that we aren't active enough.  While I agree that we need more physical activity, I'm still not convinced I want to sell my freedom to gain it.

Please pray for us that we'd know what God's will is on this.  Thank you!

• Post A Comment! • Send to a Friend!