The Difference

When someone tells me that they homeschool their children, I get all excited. Then they say they go through a charter school, and I just say "Oh".

To me, there is a HUGE difference between independent homeschooling, and using a charter school.

Independent homeschoolers ~

*choose & buy their own curricula. Charter schoolers have to use the local public school's curricula.

*are free to teach their religious beliefs, morals, values, etc. Charter schoolers cannot.

*are not under the jurisdiction of the local public schools.

*have lessons for a few hours a day, and incorporate learning into their lifestyles. Charter schoolers [EVERY charter schooler I know] spend ALL day "doing school". I have 2 friends who charter school, and they go from 9-4.30 on good days.

*evaluate and grade their children's work & progress. Charter schoolers leave that up to the local public schools .

*do not get money from the government. Charter schools offer parents hundreds, and in some cases, thousands of dollars to use their schools. They give free computers & curricula. Well, in my mind goverment money equals government strings. I'm not having any of that, as tempting as the money may be.

I find charter schoolers to be quite frazzled, frustrated & exhausted. But I give them credit for trying to teach their children at home, and I understand TOTALLY, the burden of buying curricula & everything else...it gets expensive!

I thank God that we've been able to be independent.