regular school is better than virtual school

to start off with i hear pro say that virtual school is a" a boring waste of time" when my source says this. " If you use it via a public school then it isn't home school because they are responsible in every way for providing your child the education just in a different way. If you buy it as courses then it is just a tool for home school. K12 curriculum via a PS is a combo of computer, books and online classes and teacher support. The teacher contacts you, overviews progress and offers help every 2-3 weeks and are there if you need more than that via K mail or contact. PROS 1. The curriculum itself is very strong in LA and Math . I love that it separates LA into categories...grammar, vocab, spelling, literature and writing. Math can be done mostly online with the exception you may use the text for extra practice. The other subjects like Science and History are good although for History we felt it was too much. The Art was fun for my child- We learned about art styles, viewed art, and at the end of each section it asked her to draw or paint like the artist we just learned about. I just wish it was more "optional" instead of required because there is a load of work overall in other areas that seem more important. But Art was the FUN part for us. Music was not our cup of tea but I can see how it could be helpful but should have been optional since we already take music lessons. 2. If you are new to home schooling and lack discipline and seek guidance because you want to give your child a great education but cannot figure out how to do it alone then it's GREAT! It is laid out before you, teacher support and On-line school is great. You follow a few rules and in exchange you get this amazing curriculum and teacher support. To meet state requirements it seems to me that they care about attendance- logging hours-( this is how they get paid), progress (completing their curriculum) and preparing your child for testing because it is a reflection of them failing if you are not succeeding. Now I actually see that as a PRO because it motivates them to help me be successful. *It will not be for everyone and it's not the same as home schooling but never judge the right for another to choose it because what works for one family may or may not for another. Many people can thrive on this program because of the guidance and still have some of the benefits of being home even if it is different. Some won't choose it because of what other homeschoolers say and I say- this is unfair because some people need this structure, guidance and to be pushed...and many times without this we can fail our children. Some experienced homeschoolers will NOT need this but not everyone is blessed enough to have all the other proper structures in place to be successful. Our goal is to raise and educate our children in the best ways possible and not everyone's way will be the same because we don't all have the same resources. Many homeschoolers do fail their children because they donï¿½€™t prepare them for the ï¿½€œrealï¿½€ï¿½ world and itï¿½€™s standardsï¿½€ï¿½and many exceed this but we all have different strengths so encourage others to do what is best for their family. 3. The online school makes life easy because you check off lessons as you do them, do online tests after completing sections and see your progress. It is set up in a way easy to use and work with. 4. The On-Line Classes/Class Connects were the best part. There is a set time each day for her to sign in for interactive learning with her teacher - by the end of the week you would have signed in for 4 different subjects all at one hour a week. There was a variety of ways to participate - if she was called on she could read the passage and all in the class heres her along with watching whatever the teacher has up on her board. The kids may be asked to underline things, etc. The teacher overviews points that they are learning in their curriculum or problem areas. She loved this part. If you miss a class you can watch it because it is recorded although we rarely would. You are not required to do all the classes but it's a nice part of the day and it offers a routine and overview. Con- you get attendance for participating but not progress which I will explain later. 5. We had many good field trips that were offered - and they were excellent. 6. You get to be home- if you are academic driven you can rest assured you will be challenged. There is flexibility IN WHEN YOU DO IT, HOW YOU DO IT, but not about completing it and how much time that is required. It is structured and organized providing more than you need. 7. You have the opportunity to pick and choose how you learn a lesson- An example is Spelling. The book offers different ways such as worksheets or practice on the board or writing words on index cards and other ways but the end result is just being able to spell the words on the test so you must pick and choose which way will give you that. Many go into this thinking they have to do all suggestions and that is NOT the case. You could never do all of it. If you don't understand this you WILL BE FRUSTRATED. 8. Testing and state services are offered via the program. This helps know where your child is and how they are learning." you can find this at http://www.homeschoolreviews.com... And also pro says it is a place to be unactive while staying at a computer but think a kid is at their house and can go outside and play whenever he or she wants. there is also community organizationg that they can participate in. so thats my argument