Virtual Schools

Virtual Schools are free school at home programs that allow children to receive public education at home.

The student is assigned a teacher who assists parents as they guide their children through the prescribed curriculum. These teachers also monitor the student's progress through regularly scheduled teleconferences, tests and coursework reviews by mail or e-mail.

Two of the largest providers of virtual education are Connections Academy and K-12. Visit their websites to find out if they offer charter school at home programs in your state.

Public Schools

Although conducted at home, students enrolled in cyberschools are not homeschooling as their coursework is directed and supervised by teachers outside of the home.

As with traditional public schools, virtual public schools are funded by tax payers. These programs can provide their students with curriculum and other materials free of charge. However these free materials do not come without a price.

Here are some of the pros and cons of virtual homeschooling.

Advantages of Home Based Charter Schools

• Cyber schools reduce financial burdens by providing free curriculum and materials.

• Structured programs and outside accountability provide saftey nets for parents who don't want the sole responsibility for designing and supervising their child's coursework.

• Working with a certfied teacher gives parents the support and confidence they need to have their children educated at home.

• Students receive an accredited, public school diploma upon completion of their program.

• Charter schools compete with public schools for students and funding, thus prompting the schools to improve their performance.

• Children remain in the home, in a secure, nurturing environment.

• Many schools organize field trips and outings that provide opportunities for social interaction.

Disadvantages of Virtual Schools

• Parents are told what and how to teach, and must adhere to the approved curriculum, school schedule and state standards.

• Cyberschools are not parent directed and controlled. Decisions are made by a public school teacher outside of the home, and parents carry out the teacher's decisions.

• Negative aspects of the public school curriculum and teaching techniques may be brought into the home.

• Some virtual schools restrict the use of religious materials and will not grant credit for faith based coursework.

• Parents are subject to government oversight and accountability over that required of homeschoolers by law. Children may be required to undergo testing and submit to interviews with school officials.

  Some families have even been investigated when leaving cyberschools to homeschool independently.

• Statistically, virtual school students do not perform as well academically as students who attend public school outside of the home.

• Many school districts oppose home based charters as they take students and funding from traditional programs, and reduce district supervision and control over students.

• Families who use virtual academies cannot join the Homeschool Legal Defense Association and may be excluded from local homeschool support groups.

The Big Picture

Homeschool advocates believe virtual homeschooling blurs the line between private and public education for legal purposes, and believe charter school regulations may eventually impact all homeschoolers.

The video, Exposing a Trojan Horse, analyzes the potential harmful effects of cyber schools on the homeschooling community.

In my opinion, public school at home is preferable to public school at school. However, I would encourage parents to try independent homeschooling in order to take advantage of the full benefits of home education and promote homeschool freedom as a whole.

Here is some information on low cost homeschooling.

Here is some information about complete home school curriculum programs that provide the structure and support many parents desire.