The importance of education should never be underestimated, so the decision to homeschool should not be taken lightly. As a public school teacher myself, I had numerous misperceptions about the various alternative methods of schooling. In talking with Melissa Maxwell, whose daughter Ellexxah attends Ohio Connections Academy, and Jody Hatchett-McGlothlin, the founder of Grace Christian Academy, many of those misperceptions were clarified. I now have a new appreciation for effective homeschooling.
Like most forms of education, there are beneficial ways to approach homeschooling, so the ability to identify the characteristics of an effective program is a must when making the educational decision for your child. To help identify necessary characteristics of effective programs, Maxwell and McGlothlin offer advice and real-life experiences for those considering alternative forms of education.
First, there are many different types of schooling programs in addition to simply public or home school. Ellexxah Maxwell attends Ohio Connections Academy, a tuition-free, fully accredited, online K-12 public school. Attending the online school since she was in kindergarten, Ellexxah is now in her freshman year of high school. According to Melissa Maxwell, “She has a homeroom teacher, and a classroom teacher, plus a guidance counselor that monitors what colleges she is interested in, so her classes meet the criteria for admission.”
Jody Hatchett-McGlothlin founded Grace Christian Academy (GCA) eight years ago to meet the needs of the cutting horse community. GCA is a fully accredited private school with flexible schedules to meet the needs of its students. They have students from all over the country who either attend full-time classes with teachers at the GCA campus, or participate in part-time and/or distant learning programs.
As a person who grew up competing on the AQHA circuit and currently lives the horse show life, McGlothlin understands that the demands of getting an education while showing horses can provide stress for a family. McGlothlin demonstrates passion toward the program she founded in stating, “I personally love what I do, and strive to make a difference in the lives of children and their education each day.” (pictured left – GCA students)
There are many advantages to an alternative school setting. According to Maxwell, the main advantage is that, “It is portable.” Ellexxah’s mother notes that she has worked on homework all over the United States: in hotel rooms, in barns, and even on the road.
Ellexxah also comments on the flexibility of her online schooling program in saying it works best for her because she can “work at her own pace.” If she wants to ride in the morning and study at night, or vice versa, it’s her choice. She doesn’t have to “waste time in study hall when [her] lessons are already done. [She] could have a horse longed and ridden by then!”
McGlothlin also stresses the flexibility factor offered by homeschooling in saying, “Not only can students obtain a high quality education, but it can also be tailored to their needs, weaknesses, and strengths.”
Parent involvement is another advantage to alternative schooling programs. According to Maxwell, parent involvement is critical for success in the Connections Academy online program: “It is (the parent’s) responsibility to review homework and portfolios before any lessons can be marked as complete. Teachers call on a regular basis to discuss lessons and address any problems there might be.”
The supportive nature of the online school has surprised Maxwell. Even Ellexxah’s teachers get involved with her horse showing: “When Ellexxah hauled for the AQHA High Point Youth title in 2013, they started #TeamEllexxah that went nationwide in support of her goal. Students from all over the U.S. sent encouraging emails showing their support.”
According to McGlothlin, when done correctly, homeschooling provides horse show kids an “amazing opportunity to travel all over the U.S. while showing horses. Why should we hinder those opportunities by being tied down to a strict attendance policy?”
Despite the numerous advantages to alternative schooling, there are some disadvantages to consider when making the decision. Maxwell addresses this in terms of the socialization misconception surrounding alternative methods of schooling. When considering horse show kids, Maxwell states that, “Nothing could be further from the truth. Children involved in this industry have no other choice than be social. It’s just not possible.”
Maxwell also confronts the misconception that alternative schooling is easier than public or private education. This, of course, depends on the program you select. Connections Academy is a gold rated school, which means, “It holds one of the most difficult standards a school can obtain as a teaching institution.”
McGlothlin also stresses the importance of selecting an accredited school, which means, “Programs that will follow you with records, transcripts, report cards, etc. and stay with a student the rest of his or her academic career.” The most common mistake made in selecting a homeschool program is choosing one that does not keep proper records. Universities want to see transcripts and an accredited diploma, so be sure to select an alternative schooling program that will provide proper documentation.
After weighing the advantages and disadvantages, the ultimate decision should be reached as a family, since homeschooling truly is a family adventure. Maxwell offers strong advice to parents seriously considering alternative schooling methods in saying, “You don’t have to travel all over the world to have an excuse to ensure your child gets the best education possible.”
She also suggests talking to your kids throughout the process. Even young children can communicate what they are or are not learning, so if your children feel, “They aren’t learning, don’t understand the information, and their teacher is not involved, maybe you should look down a different path.”
The decision on whether to use alternative schooling methods with your child is not an easy decision. The public school system is far from perfect, but it works for some, including myself. Others, due to life demands, choose alternative schooling methods to better fit their needs.
In the end, the importance lies in whether the child is receiving a quality education that will help him or her find success in the future. Whichever schooling method you select, do your homework and make sure the program is accredited (as Connections Academy and Grace Christian Academy, pictured right, are).
The program also needs to meet the needs of your child, taking into consideration scheduling and flexibility. As McGlothlin perfectly summarizes, “When homeschooling is done right, it can provide countless opportunities for everyone.”
Photos © Emajes Design, Destiny Lynn Photography
