Comments on: What I Love About Our Virtual Academy

By: Mishelle Lane

Mishelle Lane — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 21:21:41 +0000

Thank you, Heather. I really appreciate it and I appreciate the inclusion of ALL forms of home schooling.

By: Mishelle Lane

Mishelle Lane — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 21:18:25 +0000

They test the children and if there are any questions re: learning disabilities there are ways to get help. I don’t know firsthand, but I have a friend whose children are in GCA who have varying issues. One is advanced for her grade level, one needs extra help in reading, and another is way ahead of his grade in math. They accommodate for it.

By: Mishelle Lane

Mishelle Lane — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 21:16:48 +0000

Yes, indeed. My kids are very individual in their learning and are simply able to excel with this curriculum.

By: Mishelle Lane

Mishelle Lane — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 21:15:49 +0000

Nikowa, Feel free to email me if you have any questions, but it’s really easy flow. At times it can seem overwhelming, but that’s when we pull back and do other types of learning (like hands on, etc..) You’re gonna love it.

By: Heather

Heather — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 20:24:34 +0000

I adore GCA as well! Sure, it may not be “typical” homeschool—but I don’t have “typical” kids either! This has well surpassed what I anticipated and I appreciate every single aspect of it. My eldest is doing beautifully with it…we began because our son has significant medical needs, and we couldn’t drive her to and from the brick and mortar (it was a 1.5 hour round trip drive) and accommodate his needs at the same time. This is the perfect solution for us, and I’m so happy you are talking about it.

By: Nikowa Lee

Nikowa Lee — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 19:33:47 +0000

I’ve actually just enrolled GCA our special needs 10yo for the fall! I’ve signed up for the Yahoo Groups & will be attending a webinar tomorrow. Any info/advice you have for me would GREATLY be appreciated.

I *too* consider it homeschooling, as it’s educating at home AND it’s supplemented with other education.

Great courage to come forward with your families situation. KUDOS & blessings!

By: Michele

Michele — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:36:24 +0000

Also my daughter has a learning disability. They have have modified her studies like they would in a regular brick and morter school.

By: Michele

Michele — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:34:32 +0000

I am currently using the K12 program thru South Carolina…. I absolutely love it….

By: bunnytrails

bunnytrails — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 20:39:17 +0000

Finding what works for your family is half the battle, it seems. I think Mishelle’s post is very helpful, as a lot of people don’t know what a virtual academy is about. But I also think that Molly’s information is good, because many parents also don’t realize that HSLDA doesn’t consider that option a part of homeschooling. The key is really that people understand the entire issue – from all sides, and I think this post, along with its comments, helps to provide a clearer picture for those who may not know a lot about this.

By: Angel

Angel — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 02:02:34 +0000

Thank you for sharing with us how your family homeschools. I was wondering how do the virtual schools accommodate children with learning disabilities or children who are behind their peers?

By: Ruthanne

Ruthanne — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 01:01:36 +0000

You *are* a homeschool mother, Mishelle.

You are the overseer of your children’s education ~ you are the ultimate filter . . . as each of us are. We each decide how exactly homeschooling will look for our individual families.

By: sprittibee

sprittibee — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:44:07 +0000

Not everyone does things the same way… and we need to be respectful and very careful of how we talk to others – whether they homeschool, virtual school, private school, unschool or public school. I have friends who do all of these things and have found that while I know what works for us (most of the time, that is) I can not judge another person. These differences are wonderful to discuss because it opens dialogue about the subject. I hope that we all can talk about them with the utmost respect for each other and know that while our opinions won’t be the same, our love for other loving, concerned and caring parents should be universal.

With that being said, please feel safe posting here, Mishelle. I love you and your sweet heart.

I also understand why HSLDA would be concerned about the charter/virtual school curriculums and “strings” because with government funds usually comes regulation. This is wise for them to be wary of as an organization and it pays to be fully in the know about whatever choice you use for your children’s education.

Thanks for keeping it real and keeping it ‘safe’ at the Post, everyone!

By: Mishelle Lane

Mishelle Lane — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:00:57 +0000

I figured this would come up. I meant no disrespect, I simply decided to post about this because, even though it is a virtual academy–that is state funded–we are doing it at home. We supplement where we see fit, we belong to a home school co-op, and we have countless home schooled friends.

I consider myself as much of home schooling mother NOW as I did back when we were independently home schooling.

I feel the need to add: I’ve been attacked about this in the past by a fellow homeschooler and honestly felt safe posting here.

By: Molly

Molly — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:43:07 +0000

I’m glad you’ve found something that works for your family.

In all fairness, however, this program shouldn’t be called “homeschooling”. As you point out in your post, this is “tuition-free PUBLIC education”. It is government funded, and subject to their restrictions and regulations.

I’m concerned that it is confusing when people refer to these programs as “homeschooling”…..this is public education at home, which is not the same thing as homeschooling.

The Home School Legal Defense Association will not allow parents to join their organization if they are using one of these state-run “public school at home” programs, since they do not consider it to be homeschooling. They have many articles on their website, warning parents about the strings attached to these programs. Here’s a link to one of them:
http://www.hslda.org/docs/news/hslda/200402/200402100.asp

I’m not trying to convince you to change what you are doing! You have obviously weighed the costs and benefits and felt this is a good choice for your family, and it sounds like things are going well.

I just don’t like seeing the word “homeschool” sprinkled so liberally throughout your post and I’m confused as to why an article about a public education program has been published on The Homeschool Post.

By: Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing]

Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:28:59 +0000

It’s always nice to find something that just WORKS for you.