Satisfied With Your Child's School? There are Choices.

By Michelle Tucker
©2010 Michelle Tucker

     It's ironic, but the more parents get away from public education, the more flexibility and say you have in your child's education.  If you don't know you have a choice or what your choices are, read on.
     The local public school has been the least responsive to students' needs and parents' wishes, for the most part.  When I taught, administrators told me, we're (the school educators) here to do the job parents won't do.  So, we will make the decisions.  It's shocking that the schools view their role as decision makers instead of the parents.

     There are charter schools, which are free.  Often there are a few requirements as to a uniform/dress code.  Parents are very involved at charter schools, from opting to educate their own children at home about maturation to serving on the board which hires and fires the principal.

      On-line education could be either public or private.  If it is public, the government is making the decisions as to what your child is required to learn.  If it is an on-line educational program, you have some voice in it and choice as to courses, and you are paying for it out of pocket.

     The are, of course, private schools in which parents can become involved and have a voice, of course your money is directly paying for it.

     There are various Coops.   Of course there are preschool coops for the younger children.  But, children through 12th grade may be in a Coop.  If certain parents are not familiar with a subject, say Algebra, they can pay the tuition for the local Coop course for their child.  These later kind of Coops are usually held at churches.

     Homeschooling can be very flexible and varied.  No two families homeschool the same way.  Homeschooling can be done in conjunction with a Coop for certain courses the parents want their children to take with experts.  Homeschooling puts the decisions and control over their children's education in their hands.
    
     Which ever is best for your child, know that you can make this choice at any time.  Do not let the public school tell you anything else.  Although charter schools have lottery systems, most have told me that they take students all year long who are new.  One principal was trying to get me to enroll my child the day after our tour.  Another charter school told me not to worry about the deadline, that they take students everyday.  It's easy there to get in, I was told.  After collecting information and researching schools, we prayed about it.  It's one of the most important decisions that you will make.  My best to you!