Public School Access by Michele Giroux
While it is steadily becoming a trend for individual states to permit homeschoolers to have wide range public school access in the U.S., relatively few homeschooling families actually use this resource.
One of the main reasons that parents forgo public school offerings is most likely due to many of the same reasons that they opt against full time public school attendance for their children. Another is simply that they are not aware that public school access is actually a possibility. In most cases, there is no outside advertisement for existing services and programs by public schools other than direct school involvement; obtaining current scheduling necessitates frequent parental inquiry.
Prior to contacting the school's main office to sign up for classes, events, after school programs and the like, it is vital for individuals to have accurate up-to-date knowledge of their state laws governing home education, which are obtained by contacting the state Department of Education or by checking out state maintained websites as they often keep updates of laws online. Even with the best of intentions, public school administrators may simply be uninformed of the privileges available to homeschool students in their district. The superintendent's office should also know of current state and district wide policies, as well as be aware of currently available education related materials and resources.
The right methods of inquiry are essential in order to become familiar with all available activities. Questions such as, “Do you have a math team?” and, “What is their timetable?” will yield more results than simply asking what extracurricular programs are available. Try to be as specific as possible.
Many homeschooling parents who enroll their children into public school
programs still may have valid concerns about their child's exposure in the traditional school setting. Sitting in on each individual class that your child might be interested in attending is essential as each teacher has different teaching techniques and ways of interacting with the students. Once the child is enrolled, attending the class together, or staying nearby is worth considering. Teachers who know that a parent expects their child to be treated with respect will likely act accordingly to all of the children in the class, especially when the parents remain present, which benefits everyone involved.
In my own personal situation with public school access several years ago, administrators were reticent about the idea of a parent staying in the class with their child; instead they eagerly placed me in a volunteer position within the classroom which seemed to them more acceptable and I suppose less threatening.
It is even possible for families to benefit from public school access when their children do not have direct in-school exposure. Some possible examples are that parents may be able to borrow textbooks or other supplies for their homeschool curriculum. In many cases, homeschool students also have access to school libraries. For the older student, many high schools offer attendance to local vocational schools at no cost and information about early study at local universities and colleges. This information can also be obtained by contacting local colleges in your area and asking about their early study program for high school students.
College information materials might be obtained from the Guidance Counselors office at the local high school and if desired, families may be able receive other helpful advice on college related issues such as college applications, selection and tips on writing essays.
On deciding how much and just what you wish your child to be involved in
At the public school traditional school setting, the old adage of “Take what you want and leave the rest” seems to apply.
