Can one hire a third party to "home school"?

[Smarmie Doofus]

My son's in a largely unsatisfactory public school in an urban setting. 4th grade. Many learning issues and differences. Unique background.... born in Cambodia and adopted around age 5. Sweet kid, serious language lag.... academically 'scattered' would be the best description. Not, by any means a 'typical' learner.

Anyway, the public school cookie-cutter approach is not working for him. He gets 'promoted', but I'm not sure he's really learning what he needs to know to survive in this world. Special Ed is a nightmare in this neck and I will never put him in a public school 'special ed ' classroom.

So... what are my options? Ideally, I'd like to find an accomplished home schooler and 'hire' that person to provide the *individualized* , quality education that is not available here in an institutional setting.

But does this make sense? Is what I've described "homeschooling"? Is it even legal? Does anyone else have such an arrangement?

No, I can't do it myself... single parent, worked in Special Ed 25 yrs and am completely burned out. Can barely help him with his homework effectively and I'm too emotionally involved.

Any advice from you pioneers?

[mzteris]

1. Depends on the state

http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/laws/blNY.htm

I haven't time to read through it about 3rd party teaching right now.

[renie408]

2. What Mzteris said...

Find out what your state laws are regarding third party homeschooling. I am willing to bet that something like this will be available to you, it is just a matter of what kind of legal hoops you have to jump through. SC allows for third party homeschooling.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

3. I don't know why not...

People have hired governesses for centuries. I have a friend who had a small K-8 school (her highest enrollment was 20) when her own kids were young; and she used the Calvert School program, which I use now. Maybe there's something similar near you that doesn't push the religion agenda.

Call your local board of education, and find out what the requirements are.

[mzteris]

4. Here it is . .

NY State Education Dept.

http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/nonpub/homeschoolingqanda.htm

4. May parents engage a tutor to provide home instruction?

Yes. Parents may engage the services of a tutor to provide instruction for all or a portion of the home instruction program.

[Smarmie Doofus]

5. Thanks, that's it. Anyone else here doing this?

i.e. third party homeschooling?

[mzteris]

6. Not I

it's basically "illegal" in my state. A family can homeschool one other family's kids, but that's it.

Everything else has to be "enrichment" or "extra-curricular" type classes. No core tutors/classes.

I forget why you said you wanted to do that? Is there not a person available, or do you just not feel "qualified"? I'm not trying to get nosy, but many people feel that way - especially about upper grade levels, but it's just not true. There are tons of resources out there - especially if you can "do tutors" for specialized subjects.

Most hs'ers find that it's the empowering nature of self-directed learning that really motivates our kids. I think you'll find that *most* long term hs'ers are basically facilitators for their (older) children.

[Smarmie Doofus]

8. I'm "Burned, baby , burned!"

>>>>I forget why you said you wanted to do that? Is there not a person available, or do you just not feel "qualified"? >>>>>


As in "OUT, baby, OUT." No, I'm quite sure I can't do it effectively at this point. 10 yrs. ago, I would have given it a try.

This child came into my life rather late and I'm raising him alone. The educational issues have been more pronounced than I expected and I really don't think ( actually, I'm absolutely certain about it) that the PS system can do him justice.

Thanks for the excellent resource and the feedback.

[mzmolly]

7. Paul, I suggest a curriculum. Also keep in mind that a child can learn

in two hours at home what it takes 6 hours to accomplish in school (according to HS veterans and various studies.)

If all else fails, you might consider an online curriculum that allows your child to work at his own pace. I'm sure it would be much less expensive than hiring a tutor?

Best wishes.

[Smarmie Doofus]

9. Thanks. Can you give me an example of an online....

curriculum or a link?

[mzmolly]

10. Sure, keep in mind he'll still need an adult to ask questions of and such.

Also, it is suggested that your son take some time to "de-school" before beginning a new program.

In all honesty, I'd probably pull him and give him a break while you have time to investigate options. You can always begin again in the summer and just give him a few minor things to do to keep fresh. There are lots of inexpensive options like "Jump-start" which my child loves. Funny, we were staring a math lesson the other day and she said "Mom I already know this from jump-start" I quizzed her a bit and she was right, we didn't even have to do a formal math lesson.

Here is a link to the "best educational software" according to discovery school:
http://school.discovery.com/parents/reviewcorner/software/ages.html#six

Also, I just found an awesome free resource for educators from the UK: http://www.curriculumonline.gov.uk/Default.htm

And another great free site for kids: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/4_11/

There are many many great free/inexpensive resources to keep him engaged while you look into a more formal approach, should that be your desire.

One FORMAL online course I've heard mainly good things about is K12. Keep in mind it was founded by Bill Bennett, UGH. However it is modeled after the Core Knowledge foundation recommendations and the founder of THAT organization is a liberal/Democrat. The downside for some, is that the curriculum is said to be quite rigorous? On an up note, your child will test into various areas and see where he should begin. He may be in 3rd grade math and 5th grade language arts for example.

http://k12.com/options/independence_how.html

You should really take some time to start researching programs for now. If you do decide to order K12 they have ala-carte options so you can just get the fundamentals. I've not used the curriculum, but I use core knowledge as a foundation for our homeschooling.

Also Calvert is a secular curriculum that is said to be quite good:

http://www.calvertschool.org/engine/content.do?BT_CODE=CES1683

Calvert has been around for many decades and is well regarded.

Also Pearson Learning just branched out into homeschooling and the materials are very inexpensive:

http://plgcatalog.pearson.com/co_home.cfm?site_id=9

Keep in mind it can take a while to find a good fit. I'm still trying to do so myself. LOL

Best wishes, and feel free to lean on others while you iron stuff out. Most of all, chill - give you and your son time to find out what works for YOU.