What is an Accredited Home School?
Many parent-teachers feel that an accredited home school increases their academic reputation. These types of organizations offer accurate record keeping, accountability of both student and parents and a curriculum that meets state's standards. Other parents feel limited and stifled by the regulations of an accredited home school. A quick look at the pros and cons will help you decide if an accredited home school is right for your family.
The Pros
Many times parents have a great desire to educate their children at home, but lack the confidence to do so. Traditional schools, with their record keeping and scholastic policies, seem to offer greater organization. It can be daunting trying to keep grade point averages, attendance and progress in core subjects straight for several children in a home school. That's why accredited home schools were developed. These organizations come alongside the parent-teacher and take a lot of the paperwork off their hands. Since they are accredited, the curriculum they choose for your child will meet or exceed your state's regulations. They will be responsible for record keeping, which may be very valuable if your child ever needs to return to a traditional school. If your student takes any basic comprehensive tests, these grades will also become part of the permanent record that an accredited home school keeps. The parent will be required to submit progress reports, as well as provide samples of the child's schoolwork. All of these services, of course, come with a price tag that usually includes the cost of the curriculum.
The Cons
Since many parents choose home schooling as an alternative to traditional methods, an accredited home school may be too confining for them. One of the greatest benefits of home schooling is selecting curriculum that is designed for your individual child. An accredited home school usually limits their curriculum selections so that they can provide a more uniform learning experience for all their clients. Parents may find this stifling for their children, especially if the textbooks and workbooks do not present the subject matter in a way that is best for their children. There are many different types of learning and home school parents enjoy being able to select books and lessons that will guide their children in the most effective way. Although accredited home schools keep accurate records, this is an additional cost that some parents may not want to pay. Since home schooling is legal in all fifty states, a parent could easily buy a lesson plan book for less than ten dollars and record test grades, assignments and attendance. All of this would be perfectly legal and acceptable. Contrary to popular opinion, an accredited home school is not necessary for college-bound students. With the increase of home schooled families in our country, colleges do not discriminate against students who are not affiliated with an accredited home school.
