But recently, I realized that there is some danger that in doing this, homeschoolers may re-create schooling, and lose track of the concepts that they have been practicing on an individual and family basis. I believe this concept should also apply to homeschool support groups that meet only occasionally, every week or two or less. It may be all that more important to empower the students, rather than just having informal social groups for the adults. In Providence, Rhode Island, Maria Sperduti has organized the Educational Resource Center of Rhode Island. It serves over 30 homeschool families from a wide area.
Various individuals offer classes, for which parents and students sign up.
The center is generally open three and a half days a week. It gives homeschhooled children a chance to get together and interact with each other, and to choose from several classes that are offered by parents and other adults from the community. I was invited to speak at the center in January, and brought with me a variety of materials, and videos of alternative schools, communities, and homeschool people around the country. After making my presentation, the group at the center realized that there probably hadn't been enough input from students concerning what things they wanted to learn at the center. The emphasis had been upon what things the adults involved wanted to teach.