Virtual Charter Schools vs. Homeschooling

Posted on Wednesday 18 April 2007 at 1:51 PM in Homeschooling - Post Comment

If a student is schooled at home, is that student automatically a homeschooler? With the advent of Virtual Charter Schools (VCS) in Indiana, this is a huge discussion in the homeschooling community. The bottom line is that even though VCS students are schooled at home, they are not considered homeschoolers. They are public school students learning at home.

What's the difference? The difference is freedom and control. Homeschooling is an educational choice that gives the parents the freedom to control their child's education. While parents of VCS students may have some responsibility, the public school system is still in control of their child's education. They are still public school students, supervised and accountable to the state for their progress. VCS's fund their students education with tax dollars while homeschooling parents fund their child's education out of their own pockets. Parents of VCS students do not have to fight to maintain their freedom to control their child's education as homeschoolers do.

Do I think VCS's are bad? No, not really. Educational choices are great and needed. But if we aren't careful to make a clear distinction now on the differences between true homeschoolers and public school students learning at home, it could lead the way for more regulations that make homeschooling harder than it needs to be...or a loss of our homeschool freedom all together.

Untitled Comment

Posted by crewchief on Wednesday 18 April 2007 at 2:27 PM - Link

My crew is schooled through a similar program in Alaska. This is quite common here due to those in the Bush where there are no schools. We are given a HUGE list of currics to chose from, most of which are programs we've been wanting for ages. I do have to turn in work samples each quarter and submit to state testing each year. This is our first year with it. (since we just move here)

I have to say I struggled greatly with this decision. But it simply came down to the fact that our finances are strapped at the moment and this program could offer my children opportunities that we couldn't offer them on our own. Without the funding, they could not be doing horse riding lessons, and to be honest, that is worth it all to us right now. And because of the funding, we will be able to order Sonlight next year. This is a program we've been interested in for years but simply couldn't afford.

That isn't to say that we'll stay with this program forever. But I have to admit, it isn't as terrible as I thought it would be. We have a great support system in the local office and they are very good to allow us to make our own decisions. I don't know how the systems are in other states, but Alaska's system is working very well for us.

I do have to add, though, that we looked at several different groups before we chose the one we eventually joined and this is one is a much better fit for us. The others did seem to regulate us to death. Ours is much more open and free. So, in Alaska at least, which group you chose makes a huge difference.