To home school or not for my 15 yr old?

Julie - posted on 09/01/2011

Ask for him to be tested... and find out what the issue is -

Betsy - posted on 12/02/2009

The only concern with high school students would be at that level, in good schools, each teacher has extensive education in their specific subject. It would be impossible for any parent to have graduate level education in each and every subject, which is different from younger students who just learn the foundation of each subject, of which a parent should have general knowledge. For me, that would limit their educational opportunities as the parent would only teach to a basic level or be trying to learn along with the student. I would take into consideration the standard of education you want for your child and compare that with your education in each of the subject areas. It may be an option to homeschool, with available outside assistance from those with more extensive education in each varying specific subject area, such as tutoring programs or alternative educational centers. While you could teach the basics and more extensive studies in your area of expertise, the child could receive lessons in Chemistry or History from someone well-taught in those specific areas of learning, and so on with each subject, so not to limit their educational opportunities needed at that age.

Sandra - posted on 12/02/2009

Depending which state you are in Australia you can ask for an Individual Education Program which the school is obliged to enforce if the child is diagnosed with a medical or mental problem.They recieve help in class and helpers when needed and dont accept that he has to stay in a class he is finding toooo difficult there are alternatives. Go speak to the Guidance Officer who should advise you on all the alternatives other than taking him out of school and his social peers.

Carolee - posted on 11/29/2009

Unfortunately, schools often see kids with dyslexia as stupid, which is rarely the case. They just don't learn the same way as the majority of people. And, with him being all for it (and the school just shrugging the situation off), I say go for it! It sounds like you'll be willing and able to help him a lot better than the schools. And, this way, you'll have the time to spend explaining things in different ways so you can both see what type of learner your son is. Once that's figured out, you'll be good to go! (My fiancee is dyslexic, and was counted as "stupid" in school before they knew what dyslexia really was, and he's very intelligent.)

Colleen - posted on 11/28/2009

It sounds to me like you have done your homework (ha ha) and are aware of all the obstacles you may encounter as well as all the benefits. If you feel strongly that you should home school your son, then I would be the first to encourage you to go with those convictions. It is happening everywhere...kids falling through the crack of the public school system. You are right in saying that there is a lot of wasted time in public school also. My kids spend about 4 hours a day and as I said before...they excell, and the relationship between parent (as a teacher) and child isn't strained it is strengthened! Happy home schooling and God Bless!

Terisia - posted on 11/28/2009

Thanks first of all for your advice. Yes, I have looked at the pro's and con's to home schooling and I have looked at some of the classes and the support the program will offer. I know I can chose my own classes to teach him but I am choosing to go with the program that they set for me. Yes, I found it to be around 643.00 for the entire year but I believe like you said, if I support him and stick with it we can do it. My son is dyslexic and he is falling between the cracks of the public school system. He was in slower classes in the lower classes but now in high school he is in regular classes and is failing four out of 6 classes and I have spoken to the teachers on a weekly basis if not a daily basis through emails. They all say he is a great kid but doesn't seem to turn in the work. This being said he doesnt do the work, I can see why if I didn't understand it I wouldn't do it. So I am hoping that I can gie him a one on one with the home schooling. He wants to try it. They spend 8 hours plus in public schools where at home he will only have to spend 3 to 4 hours max on the work he isn't sitting around wasting time going between classes or if he does finish the work he can go on to the next task at hand instead of waiting to go to the next classes waiting on the teacher to give them their assignments. I will fail at this if I do not keep on track and keep him involded wih tutors and stuff. But, I don't plan on letting him fall behind our state and the programs I am going to be following has a great support system with other parents of home schoolers.

Carolee - posted on 11/27/2009

I would suggest finding a tutor or having him do summer school. I would try that for a year, then, if it doesn't work for him, I would do home school. Does he do any sports or other activities? If he doesn't, then it wouldn't be that big of a loss for him to do home school. How's his interaction with the other kids at school? That could be a factor as well.

Kim - posted on 11/27/2009

I too have a son im grade 9 who is struggling and am trying to figure out what to do with him. Personally i think that if you are making your decision based soely on what is best for your son not only in the immediate future but in the long run.I THink that whatever decision you make will be the right one and you will see marked improvement and your son and your family will be much happier.

Colleen - posted on 11/27/2009

I have home schooled my 3 children from 1st Grade on. My oldest, in college now, graduated from home school and my 2nd child is a senior this year. It is definitely different than switching from public school to home schooling, and I have had many friends try and quit. It takes a huge amount of disipline and organization. I think if you have the support of your child and if you are married, your husband, then it might be a reasonable alternative for you. The other thing to consider is, the laws for home schooling in your state...some states are very strict and make home schooling a difficult undertaking. The next question is what kind of curriculum to use. In the world we live in, you want to make sure you properly equip your son for college or trade school at the very minimum. Cost is another thing to consider if you are buying an actual curriculum, we have spent more than $500 for a year, for the school work and the answers for grading! The most important thing is that your child learns. Have you considered hiring a tutor? Schools have a policy of not letting kids switch classes, but if you push them, they will usually do the right thing. The fact that you have 4 years to home school if you take this on, makes it a fairly long term commitment. If you are unable to keep up with the academic requirements he needs and end up putting him back in public school, he could lose ground and end up being enrolled at a lower grade than he would have been. All that being said, my children have excelled in home school, my oldest is excelling in college; and I wouldn't trade the time that I had with my children to teach them, and the rewards that home schooling has given our family.

Angie - posted on 11/27/2009

I think that as long as you are well educated enough to be able to help your son when he has problems, it's a great idea.

Terisia - posted on 11/27/2009

Thanks, you and others have confirmed what I need to know. I am going to wait till the end of the next 6 weeks so he can get these credits if he gets them. I don't want to take him out till then. I am trying to get my ducks lined up and make sure I can do this for him. I have a girl who is a juior but is doing well. She would like to be home schooled but she understands why I don't want to take her out she only has the rest of this year and next but, my son is in the 9th and is struggling with it already being in regular classes.

Judy - posted on 11/27/2009

I have 3 grown children. I homeschooled all three of them all the way thru high school. It was truly a blessing. Two of them graduated college. One with a degree in Crimial Justice and the other with a degree in Computer Technology. My youngest child is deslexic. He sees things backwards. Homeschooling was wonderful for him. He could work at his own pace. Since I was his teacher, I could ask him when he wrote numbers or words backwards or letters out of order to answer the question out loud. He always knew the correct answer, but could not always write it out. Homeschooling also helped him to cope with his problem. He is now working and can run the cash register when needed. I am very proud of my children and I have a close relationship with them that I don't believe I would have if they had remained in public school.

Michelle - posted on 11/27/2009

I give my kids a choice at the beginningof each year to continue to homeschool or go back to public school and so far they want homeschooling because I take the time to explain something until they understand and then back off. Also I make them do the state required Language and Math courses but leave everything else to their discretion to learn. If one wants to learn chemistry and the other want to study Egyption mummification it is okay with me And if next week they are bored with those and want to learn about something else. Kids learn better when they like or have and interest or curiosity about something than when its forced on them. If your son is struggling he may need one on one help like he got in the special resource classes and I think homeschooling does that the best.

Terisia - posted on 11/27/2009

Thanks, Just what I am looking for, this describes my son to the T.

Stephanie - posted on 11/27/2009

There are kids that are just not classroom students and that is fine. It happens. There are really good online high schools where he can learn with teachers and work at his own pace. I think that the online high school system and even the online college system is great for those who are not classroom able. We have to respect the processing and learning of people and if traditional environments don't work then the non traditional is the choice. Look into Kaplan online High School, they will roll him over to their university when he is done at a tremendous discount. You will start to see lots of online HS starting even in your own district because the realization that not every child can handle a classroom is coming to the fore front. You can also home school him with the help of online schooling. I work with kids who are online schoolers and are doing incredibly well because they can concentrate and work at a pace that is better for them.

Terisia - posted on 11/27/2009

Thanks for your responce, It is helpful for leting me know how others feel.

Erin - posted on 11/27/2009

i dont personally have experience, my only child is just 2 but my sister homeschools her son, he is a freshman. he had alot of trouble in classes and didnt get along with alot of ppl in the school, so he said either homeschool me or im dropping out, so he is doing really well in school, he has gym once a week at the YMCA with other homeschoolers and also takes a math class outside of the home due to he had trouble understanding it at home, he is one month ahead in all his classes so far and he really likes the whole program. im all for it if he still gets interaction from the outside world. hope everything works well for both of you, good luck!!!!