Homeschooling questions - minimum hours of instruction, and transferring back to public or Catholic school

[Paul71]

As I mentioned on the “Plans for schooling in the fall” topic, we are considering signing up some of our children for online homeschool classes next year. (They have gone to Catholic school up to now.)

One of our reasons is to give the kids a consistent and predictable schooling experience all year long, since institutional schools may have to make a lot of changes in their routines due to COVID-19, such as rearranging classrooms to seat students further apart, having students and/or teachers wear masks, having periods of time where some students are at school and others are at home, or having all students learning at home for some period of time.

Another reason is that we see an opportunity to give the kids a better curriculum than our local Catholic school offers (e.g., availability of Latin classes, history taught using Catholic history texts rather than secular texts, better literature selections, and more rigorous catechism classes).

Yet another reason is to minimize our exposure to the coronavirus, especially for the sake of some close relatives who are elderly or who have medical conditions.

However, even if we do online homeschool classes next year, some or all of our kids may go back to the local Catholic school the following year.

We are mainly considering two online class providers – Catholic Homeschool Connections (unaccredited, but very good from what I can see) and Queen of Heaven Academy (accredited).

I have some questions for those of you who have done homeschooling in the past (as a parent or as a student):

1. If your state requires a minimum number of hours of instruction throughout the school year, how do you meet that requirement, particularly with online classes? Online classes usually meet just once per week, with much of the work being done outside of class. But those once per week sessions are not nearly enough to meet our state’s minimum hours of instruction. Can you count hours spent on homework and projects as hours of instruction?
2. If you homeschooled with an unaccredited program (either on your own, or through online classes), and then later your kids transferred to an institutional school (public or Catholic), did you have any trouble getting the institutional school to accept the homeschool classes/credits? This question would be especially for students who have homeschooled for part of high school, and then transferred to a public or Catholic school to finish high school.
3. Do you think we are crazy or strange for considering this?

 

[CelticWarlord]

Do you think we are crazy or strange for considering this?

Not in the slightest. My wife home schooled our three kids. Where we live (western Canada) there was a liason person with the local school board she met with once a year but no questions or concerns were ever raised over the curriculum my wife devised. The first two kids stayed at home until sixth grade, the youngest until high school. They had no problems intigrating with the school system once they left home and were all honor roll students. Today our oldest is a pilot with Canada’s largest airline, the middle one is a certified equine therapist, computer graphic artist, and is about to graduate with her education degree. The youngest has been a school teacher for the past ten years.

 

[HomeschoolDad]

• If your state requires a minimum number of hours of instruction throughout the school year, how do you meet that requirement, particularly with online classes? Online classes usually meet just once per week, with much of the work being done outside of class. But those once per week sessions are not nearly enough to meet our state’s minimum hours of instruction. Can you count hours spent on homework and projects as hours of instruction?

Our state does not have a minimum number of hours, they just require a certain number of days of instruction. There are required courses (I do not want to be any more specific than that, because if I say a lot, I will disclose what state we are in, something I avoid on CAF) but “how you get there” is up to you. I would say just to augment those online hours with additional instruction on your own in each subject. We count everything we do that is even tangentially related to the homeschool subjects. I keep far more meticulous records than the state requires. Our state allows for electives at the parent’s discretion. We study subjects that aren’t typically taught in “regular” schools at his grade level, such as philosophy, marksmanship (air rifles), landscaping, and simple Russian vocabulary — he is Slavic through his mother’s heritage, some of his video games are Russian-themed, and he strongly identifies with Russian culture.

• If you homeschooled with an unaccredited program (either on your own, or through online classes), and then later your kids transferred to an institutional school (public or Catholic), did you have any trouble getting the institutional school to accept the homeschool classes/credits? This question would be especially for students who have homeschooled for part of high school, and then transferred to a public or Catholic school to finish high school.

I cannot answer this, as we have no plans ever to transfer either to a public or Catholic school. As far as we are concerned, we are in this through Grade 12 and graduation, and then my son wants to go to the junior college in our city. I would just caution that in many states, a homeschool student transferring into the public system is tested to determine grade level. Being held back a year is a possibility, and I suppose getting double-promoted is a possibility as well.

• Do you think we are crazy or strange for considering this?

Absolutely NOT. Homeschooling is the best thing you will ever do for your child. My son is age 13 and is in Grade 7. At the moment he has very idiosyncratic sleeping habits, as many adolescents do. But he does not have to worry about getting up at a specific time, nor with falling asleep in class, as we have class any time we please. I am retired and I don’t have to get up at any specific time either. I am deeply thankful that this time of his life is as easy as any boy’s life could possibly be. Life will get difficult enough all on its own as he enters adulthood.

…

 

[HomeschoolDad]

One thing I do urge you to do, is to become a member of HSLDA. You never know when you might need their legal help, and they have a “hotline” where you can call anytime for guidance on following the homeschooling laws in your state (they cover them all).

Please PM me if you would like any recommendations for Grade 6 and Grade 7 curriculum. We don’t use a pre-packaged curriculum. Seton Home Study is very good but — and this isn’t going to come out right, no matter how I put it — all of their subjects (except math, they use Saxon) are explicitly Catholic-themed, and while I permeate the entire curriculum with traditional, orthodox Catholic teaching wherever the opportunity presents itself, I prefer a blend of Catholic and secular texts.

 

[Lara]

But he does not have to worry about getting up at a specific time, nor with falling asleep in class, as we have class any time we please. I am retired and I don’t have to get up at any specific time either. I am deeply thankful that this time of his life is as easy as any boy’s life could possibly be.

This may or may not be an advantage depending on the career he undertakes. To me, it’s important to be able to bend oneself to others’ desires/schedules/and concerns. It’s important to me that a student’s mettle be tested.

Celtic Warlord indicates by the success of his three kids that they turned out; they have successful careers. Of course, the youngest of his children is fortunate to have a job as a school teacher because, barring a pandemic, actual children show up to his or her class, and presumably haven’t all run off to be schooled online or at home.

But I don’t think future career success in a homeschooled child is a good measure of homeschooling success, since most people eventually find their spot in life anyhow.

Rather, a parent should ask, am I able to give my child an education that would be graded in the top ten percent of hypothetical educations for that particular child?

I don’t think you are crazy to try homeschooling. At worst, it’s a good experiment with a finite ending. At best, much good will come from it.

 

[blackforest]

Can you count hours spent on homework and projects as hours of instruction?

Absolutely! Minimum hour requirements are asinine and set by clueless bureaucrats who’ve never homeschooled a day of their lives. Homeschool days are shorter for the simple reason that it takes less time to educate your handful of children versus a classroom of 30 children.

It’s not a good or bad thing. It’s just a simple difference that exists. OK (whew!), I’m off my soapbox.

Back to your question: I currently don’t live in a state with minimum hours. But pretty much anything and everything counts. Be sure to count: Homework assigned from the online classes, music lessons and practice, sports as P.E., home economics, craft projects, independent reading time, etc.

Think of it this way: I don’t do any online homeschooling. So how else would I count my hours?

There are a plethora of blogs with free, downloadable printables where you can record attendance and number of hours. I suggest putting all of this material in a binder. If your state requires you to meet with a teacher, it’s good to have everything organized.

If you homeschooled with an unaccredited program (either on your own, or through online classes), and then later your kids transferred to an institutional school (public or Catholic), did you have any trouble getting the institutional school to accept the homeschool classes/credits?

Before I answer this next question . . .remember that a student who’s “behind” is not a bad reflection on you as a homeschooling parent, and “ahead” doesn’t make anyone superior. Simply work at your child or teen’s pace!

Now to your question. We didn’t/don’t use any one “program.” My approach is eclectic with different books for different subjects. So yes, you can definitely call what I do “unaccredited,” lol!

I don’t have any high schoolers yet, but we had no problem transferring to a charter school. There were minor gaps because we used a differently paced math curriculum. But my son caught up on fractions really quickly. On the other hand, he was far ahead of the other students on multiplication tables. It does all even out.

You’ll find this even if you use something like Queen of Heaven. If your students are thinking of transferring back, they should just ask the teachers at the high school what they’re currently studying and go from there.

Do you think we are crazy or strange for considering this?

All homeschooling parents are crazy. We like to think we’re charming that way.

We may go back to homeschooling for the same reasons you’re considering started with it.

Have you networked with other Catholic homeschoolers in your area?

Hope this all helps!

 

[HomeschoolDad]

But he does not have to worry about getting up at a specific time, nor with falling asleep in class, as we have class any time we please. I am retired and I don’t have to get up at any specific time either. I am deeply thankful that this time of his life is as easy as any boy’s life could possibly be.

This may or may not be an advantage depending on the career he undertakes. To me, it’s important to be able to bend oneself to others’ desires/schedules/and concerns. It’s important to me that a student’s mettle be tested.

Everybody’s situation is different. My son needs this kind of flexibility at this time in his life. I have been “there for him”, front and center, from the moment of his birth, and if anyone would know what he needs, it would be me. I had similar sleeping difficulties when I was his age — he may just have inherited it. As for his future career, some people are suited for some careers, and other people are suited for others. It will all shake out.

 

[blackforest]

One thing I do urge you to do, is to become a member of HSLDA.

I’ll second this. I was reluctant because they’re Evangelical, and I wasn’t sure if I’d encounter any anti-Catholic sentiment. But where the OP seems to live in a state that seems to regulate homeschooling more than, say, mine . . . it’s nice to have someone at the other end of the line answering legal questions. And it turns out that they do some pretty good work.

 

[HomeschoolDad]

HomeschoolDad:

One thing I do urge you to do, is to become a member of HSLDA.

I’ll second this. I was reluctant because they’re Evangelical, and I wasn’t sure if I’d encounter any anti-Catholic sentiment. But where the OP seems to live in a state that seems to regulate homeschooling more than, say, mine . . . it’s nice to have someone at the other end of the line answering legal questions. And it turns out that they do some pretty good work.

With your membership, you basically have a lawyer on retainer, and state-specific legal assistance on demand. Homeschoolers are rarely taken to task legally, but it can happen, and you want to have the best possible defense there for you. Some states regulate homeschooling more aggressively than others do. Ours is somewhere in the middle, tending towards more liberal. We’ve never had any problems. (My son has never been in the public school system, so to them, he doesn’t exist, a state of affairs with which I am very pleased.)

 

[Paul71]

Thanks everyone for the replies!

 

[babochka]

There were minor gaps because we used a differently paced math curriculum. But my son caught up on fractions really quickly. On the other hand, he was far ahead of the other students on multiplication tables. It does all even out.

This sounds like the same program that I use. We transition to something else at pre-Algebra and have no problems at all.

 

[Allegra]

As a public school teacher, I can attest to the fact that although public high schools may put on a front of having hard credit transfer rules, they just don’t. We get kids from all manner of disorganized backgrounds. Some come in from schools in other states, other countries, from being homeless for months or years, not speaking any English, from a spree of twelve foster homes in two years, and all sort of unconventional situations. Schools will most likely accept any indication that a class was attempted as truth and will be more concerned about which classes to put the student in for English and Math. If there is significant doubt, they may give an assessment of some kind but most likely they will just ask for examples of the students’ work. If you follow a curriculum that is graded by a third party, they will most likely accept it without question. The only course that I’ve heard of high schools being hard on is the state-required “government” class, which can be made up by skipping the class and taking the state and federal constitution tests.

 

[Diaconia]

Not crazy.

Do what you wish, as the primary educators of your children.

Everything you do, including prayer, going to daily Mass is instructional time.

For what it’s worth - Dr. Ray Guarendi swears by Seton homeschool curriculum.

I’d suggest throwing in some philosophy in your mix, including symbolic logic.

If I had a nickel for every adult that I interact with that can neither reason nor think critically I’d be wealthy enough to hire Grisez and Kreeft to tutor your children personally!

Deacon Christopher

 

[DisorientingSneeze]

I’ve been considering homeschooling, pending what arrangement the public schools come up with next year. The pandemic crisis school sort of forced me to see that I can do it if I need to. If I need to, I’d rather choose a curriculum that fits me instead of using whatever the school manages to put together one week at a time.

I asked for a lot of (name removed by moderator)ut from my friends who do homeschool about programs that lend themselves well to transferring back into public school. One friend in particular who has transferred her kids back to public school said she was so worried they would judge her for any gaps they had, but they were super nice. Put the kids in at the grade level for their age and used a reading interventionist to get her daughter caught up.

 

[HomeschoolDad]

I’ve been considering homeschooling, pending what arrangement the public schools come up with next year. The pandemic crisis school sort of forced me to see that I can do it if I need to. If I need to, I’d rather choose a curriculum that fits me instead of using whatever the school manages to put together one week at a time.

I asked for a lot of (name removed by moderator)ut from my friends who do homeschool about programs that lend themselves well to transferring back into public school. One friend in particular who has transferred her kids back to public school said she was so worried they would judge her for any gaps they had, but they were super nice. Put the kids in at the grade level for their age and used a reading interventionist to get her daughter caught up.

What I am hearing lately, is that all the schools — public and private — recognize that we are in an unusual, unforeseen set of circumstances, and they seem to be erring on the side of just going ahead and recognizing pretty much what students are able to get done. I heard of one state’s school system that just compressed the third and fourth quarters together and graded either “pass” or “fail”. My spidey sense tells me that probably pretty much everyone passed.

If they wanted to be absolutely purist about it, they would just scrub the school year entirely, hold everyone back a year, and say something like “the first part of the year, that just put you ahead, we need to be covering more things in school anyway, our school systems fall far short of many other countries in the first place”. But you cannot treat Americans like that. It’d be politically impossible — not to mention that it’d wipe out an entire year of high school graduations, and that wouldn’t be acceptable either.

 

[TC3033]

If they wanted to be absolutely purist about it, they would just scrub the school year entirely, hold everyone back a year, and say something like “the first part of the year, that just put you ahead, we need to be covering more things in school anyway, our school systems fall far short of many other countries in the first place”.

Wholeheartedly disagree.

But you cannot treat Americans like that.

not to mention that it’d wipe out an entire year of high school graduations, and that wouldn’t be acceptable either.

That wouldn’t have anything to do with it.

However, you would have double the kindergarteners to deal with.

 

[blackforest]

I have some questions for those of you who have done homeschooling in the past (as a parent or as a student):

One more thought: I’d like to give a shout out to Catholic Heritage Curricula. CHC - Catholic Heritage Curricula

No, they’re not accredited. I like the ease of working at our own pace through the curricula. At the same time, I enjoy having the lesson plans already laid out for me, even though I plug in a different math curriculum.

Each college has its own requirements for accepting homeschoolers, with some being homeschool-friendlier than others. Check individual websites for more information.