Public Homeschool Options for the Reluctant Homeschooler

I homeschool through the California Virtual Academy (CAVA). Homeschooling is not something that I want to do. It is something that I need to do. I meet more and more parents who either are homeschooling because they have to or who would like to homeschool but are concerned about whether they can do it. These are parents who want to homeschool for purely academic reasons.

I consider myself to be a reluctant homeschooler because if I had a choice I would like to send my children to school. But I don't have very much faith in the public school system. I'm not opposed to public education. I am actually a big supporter of the idea of public schools. Public schools are excellent in many parts of the world. I just don't trust American public schools to educate my children well.

The reasons are many. I know too many Gifted and Talented (GATE) students and Honors students who lack basic writing and math skills. I have talked to many parents who pulled their children out of school because they were 3 or 4 grades behind in reading and math. These children were earning good grades and their teachers never reported problems. I have talked to many parents who feel that their kids aren't learning very much. Their kids come home from school and cannot understand their homework. In an increasingly globalized world, I don't want my children to be years behind their peers in other nations.

Most reluctant homeschoolers I have met use ready-made curricula. Many are dual-earners and don't have the time to put together their own curriculum. Some parents can't afford to spend hundreds of dollars buying homeschooling programs and packages. Online public schools, such as k12.com and Connections Academy are one good option for the reluctant homeschooler. Other free options are homeschooling programs offered through charter schools or local school districts.

You can also buy homeschool curriculum packages. You can find a list of secular homeschool curriculums through secularhomeschool.com. You can find a list of secular and religious homeschool curriculums from homeschool.com. Luckily for the reluctant homeschooler, there are many programs available that make homeschooling a lot easier.