charter school???
akheddlesten
Hi,
Im looking for some input from anyone willing share! Although we have been parenting in a "child led learning" type of Way since my boys were born, now that my oldest son is 6 I Im looking for some guidance on weather we should and/or need to join a charter school? All of the ones that I have looked at are not even close to being a match for us. What other options do I have? I know that requirements change from state to state and we are in California. Ive done alot of searching online and I finally figured the best way to find out is probably just to ask :)I just love the "unschooling" Idea, its aa perfect fit for our family.
Blessings, Angelica
Im looking for some input from anyone willing share! Although we have been parenting in a "child led learning" type of Way since my boys were born, now that my oldest son is 6 I Im looking for some guidance on weather we should and/or need to join a charter school? All of the ones that I have looked at are not even close to being a match for us. What other options do I have? I know that requirements change from state to state and we are in California. Ive done alot of searching online and I finally figured the best way to find out is probably just to ask :)I just love the "unschooling" Idea, its aa perfect fit for our family.
Blessings, Angelica
JJ
Joining a radical unschooling list to ask about your school options (for a six-year-old?) isn't a perfect fit for anyone, at home or online. It is from frustrating personal experience that I learned how misinformative and even divisive charter school discussions can get among well-meaning parents.
So let's don't go there, here.
What is it do you think, that's focusing you on schooling right now? Is it an urge from within yourself or coming from expectations and even pressure from partner, family members, neighbors? Knowing why you are looking at school programs can help you get to unschooling, maybe all by itself and probably better than learning a lot about charters.
JJ
rheddlesten" <akheddlesten@...> wrote:
So let's don't go there, here.
What is it do you think, that's focusing you on schooling right now? Is it an urge from within yourself or coming from expectations and even pressure from partner, family members, neighbors? Knowing why you are looking at school programs can help you get to unschooling, maybe all by itself and probably better than learning a lot about charters.
JJ
rheddlesten" <akheddlesten@...> wrote:
>
> Hi,
> Im looking for some input from anyone willing share! Although we have been parenting in a "child led learning" type of Way since my boys were born, now that my oldest son is 6 I Im looking for some guidance on weather we should and/or need to join a charter school? All of the ones that I have looked at are not even close to being a match for us. What other options do I have? I know that requirements change from state to state and we are in California. Ive done alot of searching online and I finally figured the best way to find out is probably just to ask :)I just love the "unschooling" Idea, its aa perfect fit for our family.
>
> Blessings, Angelica
>
undermom
Are you concerned about your legal options? Go to the HomeSchool Association of California's website for information on how to register your own, very private, private school, as well as your other legal options in CA. LOTS of radical unschoolers in California, most of whom don't go anywhere near the charters.
http://www.hsc.org/index.php
I don't know if it's still possible to register for the HSC conference that begins this coming Thursday. It is a VERY unschooling friendly conference, with lots to do for kids and parents alike. Sandra Dodd is speaking as well as many other unschoolers. Oh, it looks like you can still register!
http://www.hscconference.com/
Do you need a charter school? No.
Deborah in IL
(formerly of CA)
http://www.hsc.org/index.php
I don't know if it's still possible to register for the HSC conference that begins this coming Thursday. It is a VERY unschooling friendly conference, with lots to do for kids and parents alike. Sandra Dodd is speaking as well as many other unschoolers. Oh, it looks like you can still register!
http://www.hscconference.com/
Do you need a charter school? No.
Deborah in IL
(formerly of CA)
--- In [email protected], "akheddlesten" <akheddlesten@...> wrote:
>
> Hi,
> Im looking for some input from anyone willing share! Although we have been parenting in a "child led learning" type of Way since my boys were born, now that my oldest son is 6 I Im looking for some guidance on weather we should and/or need to join a charter school? All of the ones that I have looked at are not even close to being a match for us. What other options do I have? I know that requirements change from state to state and we are in California. Ive done alot of searching online and I finally figured the best way to find out is probably just to ask :)I just love the "unschooling" Idea, its aa perfect fit for our family.
>
> Blessings, Angelica
>
plaidpanties666
A local unschooling list is what you need for details on the subject. There's a collection of local lists here:
http://sandradodd.com/world
On a more general note, unschooling is technically a form of home-education, so you'll be following the same laws and proceedures as other area homeschoolers. Most unschoolers look for the least intrusive way to meet those laws. That could be a simple as a letter of intent to the local school board, but in some areas its less intrusive to go through an "umbrella school" - and I don't know if charter schools are the same sort of thing, honestly. If the "school" is simply a means for placating the law and doesn't get in your way, great. We use a "school" like that for Ray, here in TN, and the way the legalities work, he's essentially a student of a private religious school and that school recognizes us as "teachers". Since private church-based schools aren't regulated, here, anything we do is between us and the school, and we've found one that's unschooling-friendly.
Regardless of whether you decide to unschool, its best to know the law and loopholes as thoroughly as you can. Double-check any advice you get from other homeschoolers and homeschool organizations as some of them will suggest you do things that aren't necessary and can cause issues down the road.
---Meredith
http://sandradodd.com/world
On a more general note, unschooling is technically a form of home-education, so you'll be following the same laws and proceedures as other area homeschoolers. Most unschoolers look for the least intrusive way to meet those laws. That could be a simple as a letter of intent to the local school board, but in some areas its less intrusive to go through an "umbrella school" - and I don't know if charter schools are the same sort of thing, honestly. If the "school" is simply a means for placating the law and doesn't get in your way, great. We use a "school" like that for Ray, here in TN, and the way the legalities work, he's essentially a student of a private religious school and that school recognizes us as "teachers". Since private church-based schools aren't regulated, here, anything we do is between us and the school, and we've found one that's unschooling-friendly.
Regardless of whether you decide to unschool, its best to know the law and loopholes as thoroughly as you can. Double-check any advice you get from other homeschoolers and homeschool organizations as some of them will suggest you do things that aren't necessary and can cause issues down the road.
---Meredith
JJ
Amen!
> Regardless of whether you decide to unschool, its best to know the law and loopholes as thoroughly as you can. Double-check any advice you get from other homeschoolers and homeschool organizations as some of them will suggest you do things that aren't necessary and can cause issues down the road.
>
> ---Meredith
>
akheddlesten
I think my original question could have been worded a little different but yes I am asking from a legal standpoint, which is why I am looking to better understand my rights & options. I am looking for advice now that he is 6 only because as I am percieving things, I think that is the age that a parent would register something somewhere if need be (emphasis on the "if need be" part).
I am blessed to have family and friends who are for the most part supportive in our decision to unschool, but I guess its something within me that is looking for some peace of mind that we are making this journey as legal as possible. I guess im a little uneasy since I have only found a tiny handfull (by tiny handfull I mean 1!) unschooler in our area, who is also 6 yrs old.
From one human being who is a little scared at the moment to another human being who may have some wisdom to offer, I am grateful so thank you.
Meredith, I will definatley check out the Sandra Dodd website & I especially like the idea of a letter of intent to the school board.
Deborah, I will take another look at the California Homeschoolerds Association website because it would be really great to be able to register "my very own, very private, private school"! The HSC conference looks like just what we need right now. I was tearing up reading the description because although I am generally a person who goes within for guidance and acceptance, right now I am needing to be a little supported and this looks amazing for us. Thursday is a little close but Im going to see what I can do to get our family there.
Thanks Again!
Blessings, Angelica
I am blessed to have family and friends who are for the most part supportive in our decision to unschool, but I guess its something within me that is looking for some peace of mind that we are making this journey as legal as possible. I guess im a little uneasy since I have only found a tiny handfull (by tiny handfull I mean 1!) unschooler in our area, who is also 6 yrs old.
From one human being who is a little scared at the moment to another human being who may have some wisdom to offer, I am grateful so thank you.
Meredith, I will definatley check out the Sandra Dodd website & I especially like the idea of a letter of intent to the school board.
Deborah, I will take another look at the California Homeschoolerds Association website because it would be really great to be able to register "my very own, very private, private school"! The HSC conference looks like just what we need right now. I was tearing up reading the description because although I am generally a person who goes within for guidance and acceptance, right now I am needing to be a little supported and this looks amazing for us. Thursday is a little close but Im going to see what I can do to get our family there.
Thanks Again!
Blessings, Angelica
--- In [email protected], "JJ" <jrossedd@...> wrote:
>
> Amen!
>
>
>
> > Regardless of whether you decide to unschool, its best to know the law and loopholes as thoroughly as you can. Double-check any advice you get from other homeschoolers and homeschool organizations as some of them will suggest you do things that aren't necessary and can cause issues down the road.
> >
> > ---Meredith
> >
>
Katrine Clip
I'm also in California. We took our boys out of 2nd grade last November, and
have been deschooling and unschooling since then. My husband is not
comfortable with unschooling yet, so I agreed to sign up for a charter
school to calm my husband's fears while still being able to keep the kids
home and our marriage intact. Our "teacher" seems to be very helpful in
letting us unschool, and help us translate into educationese what we are
doing. We will have to follow the California standards somehow, and then
test at the end of the year.
So while I agree that this is not the place to discuss schools, a charter
school is after all a public school, I also know that many unschoolers in my
area use charter schools because they get money for classes and educational
toys. This can be a help for many. And their kids are willing to put up with
producing some work samples and do testing in exchange for this.
What I'm hoping to achieve by going with a charter school this year, is my
husband's approval to NOT do it next year. I hope he will see that we don't
need it, and that by making our unschooling life rich and interesting they
are learning all they need to without the external pressure of a curriculum
that doesn't fit into our lives. This year, our boys are supposed to learn
cursive. Well, they can barely write now. I'd much rather just wait until
they are ready to learn it. I know they are not ready now and still it's on
the program for this year. That's not unschooling.
I've been thinking about how I can unschool and make life as good as
possible within those limits: I can use the curriculum, or California
standards, as a list of things I can expose the children to, it can be like
an idea list. In school, the kids never get through the whole thing anyway.
I want to unschool, and I want/need my husband to be on board. The charter
school may be a detour, or a slow zone, but I hope that we eventually will
reach our destination together!
-Katrine
have been deschooling and unschooling since then. My husband is not
comfortable with unschooling yet, so I agreed to sign up for a charter
school to calm my husband's fears while still being able to keep the kids
home and our marriage intact. Our "teacher" seems to be very helpful in
letting us unschool, and help us translate into educationese what we are
doing. We will have to follow the California standards somehow, and then
test at the end of the year.
So while I agree that this is not the place to discuss schools, a charter
school is after all a public school, I also know that many unschoolers in my
area use charter schools because they get money for classes and educational
toys. This can be a help for many. And their kids are willing to put up with
producing some work samples and do testing in exchange for this.
What I'm hoping to achieve by going with a charter school this year, is my
husband's approval to NOT do it next year. I hope he will see that we don't
need it, and that by making our unschooling life rich and interesting they
are learning all they need to without the external pressure of a curriculum
that doesn't fit into our lives. This year, our boys are supposed to learn
cursive. Well, they can barely write now. I'd much rather just wait until
they are ready to learn it. I know they are not ready now and still it's on
the program for this year. That's not unschooling.
I've been thinking about how I can unschool and make life as good as
possible within those limits: I can use the curriculum, or California
standards, as a list of things I can expose the children to, it can be like
an idea list. In school, the kids never get through the whole thing anyway.
I want to unschool, and I want/need my husband to be on board. The charter
school may be a detour, or a slow zone, but I hope that we eventually will
reach our destination together!
-Katrine
On Sun, Aug 15, 2010 at 6:20 AM, JJ <jrossedd@...> wrote:
>
>
> Joining a radical unschooling list to ask about your school options (for a
> six-year-old?) isn't a perfect fit for anyone, at home or online. It is from
> frustrating personal experience that I learned how misinformative and even
> divisive charter school discussions can get among well-meaning parents.
>
> So let's don't go there, here.
>
> What is it do you think, that's focusing you on schooling right now? Is it
> an urge from within yourself or coming from expectations and even pressure
> from partner, family members, neighbors? Knowing why you are looking at
> school programs can help you get to unschooling, maybe all by itself and
> probably better than learning a lot about charters.
>
> JJ
>
>
> rheddlesten" <akheddlesten@...> wrote:
> >
> > Hi,
> > Im looking for some input from anyone willing share! Although we have
> been parenting in a "child led learning" type of Way since my boys were
> born, now that my oldest son is 6 I Im looking for some guidance on weather
> we should and/or need to join a charter school? All of the ones that I have
> looked at are not even close to being a match for us. What other options do
> I have? I know that requirements change from state to state and we are in
> California. Ive done alot of searching online and I finally figured the best
> way to find out is probably just to ask :)I just love the "unschooling"
> Idea, its aa perfect fit for our family.
> >
> > Blessings, Angelica
> >
>
>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
plaidpanties666
"akheddlesten" <akheddlesten@...> wrote:
---Meredith
>I especially like the idea of a letter of intent to the school board.Eek! Its absolutely vital that you check the local requirements and touch base with area homeschoolers. This may be the Worst Possible thing to do!
>
---Meredith
Debra Rossing
In CA, once your child reaches 'school age', you send in an R4 affidavit
and you become your own private school. Once you're a private school,
you pretty much do whatever however. If you've looked online, have you
checked the local/state homeschool groups? I know that there are several
very active statewide websites that include information on filing the
R4. Most charter schools are still part of the public school system with
all the attendant requirements (give or take, some may be a little more
flexible in how you meet those requirements). Some look good because
they offer lots of 'free' materials and resources...except 'free' comes
with strings.
Deb R
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and you become your own private school. Once you're a private school,
you pretty much do whatever however. If you've looked online, have you
checked the local/state homeschool groups? I know that there are several
very active statewide websites that include information on filing the
R4. Most charter schools are still part of the public school system with
all the attendant requirements (give or take, some may be a little more
flexible in how you meet those requirements). Some look good because
they offer lots of 'free' materials and resources...except 'free' comes
with strings.
Deb R
**********************************************************************
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and
intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they
are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify
the system manager.
This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept by
MIMEsweeper for the presence of computer viruses.
www.mastercam.com
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
MargaretC
Hi -
I live in California and recently filed the R4 affidavit. It was very simple and I received several helpful emails answering my questions when I contacted someone on the website. Below is the email address if you'd like to contact them. Good luck!
hscwebsiteinfo@...
I live in California and recently filed the R4 affidavit. It was very simple and I received several helpful emails answering my questions when I contacted someone on the website. Below is the email address if you'd like to contact them. Good luck!
hscwebsiteinfo@...