If we don’t maintain the distinction between homeschools and virtual charter schools, the regulations put on public virtual school students may be put on us. It is ironic, sad, and could be tragic, that we homeschoolers, who started out to maintain our right to educate our children according to our principles and beliefs and not those of the state, could end up under greater government control than families who send their children to conventional public schools. The government could only directly regulate their children while they were attending school, leaving their homes free from government regulation, but it could regulate our children, and us, in our homes. ~ Written by Larry and Susan Kaseman in article called Taking Charge: Risks Public Virtual Schools Pose to Homeschools in Home Education Magazine.
There is no offense intended, nor prideful, when one says that virtual schools are schooling at home and not homeschooling. Yet, those who send chose a virtual public or charter school take offense to the distinction. The difference is not a simple one of semantics. It is not a homeschooler looking down her nose stating the virtual school parent chose a lesser course. The difference is in the legality. Homeschoolers have a different legal battle then a parent who sends her child to school or to a virtual school.
A child who attends a brick and mortar school or a virtual school is registered in a school system. While the parent of a child in a virtual school takes a great lead in the education process; the process is not her own. She is not free to choose her own curriculum or control attendance. She is given a curriculum and has no power to change it due to content or if it is not a good fit.
Another important aspect of virtual schooling is logging in attendance. Why? Because a public virtual school must follow guidelines set by the state therefore it is state regulated. Please understand that virtual schooling is not a lesser form of homeschooling it just simply is not homeschooling. It is a valid form of education that has benefited many children and families. I understand the ins and outs as I have a child in a virtual school.
A child who is homeschooled is considered excused from school attendance. A homeschooled parent has no oversight when choosing curriculum and may change the course, textbook or method at any point without concerns for state regulations. Attendance is not logged save states that require that by law to homeschool. However, even in that vain, it is recording hours in total. The hour of operation are up to the homeschooler. Homeschoolers plan their own vacations, holidays and days off. A homeschool parent relies on the freedom to teach as she sees fit.
Just because a student does school at home that does not make him homeschooled in a legal sense. Not making the distinction may end up violating the rights of homeschooling parents and down the line all parents. Watch how the law deals with homeschooling, my friends. Even if you do not chose this path the first steps to taking away parental rights will be through the homeschoolers. Let’s protect our rights and our children.
For more information please visit HLSDA.