Four Characteristics of a Quality Home Education Program

The current generation of students is probably the most adept with electronic devices and open to learning in new and innovative ways. Online classes are incorporated into traditional schools to help students achieve their necessary credits and dual enrollment programs are easier to accomplish using this convenient format.

As a parent it is important to first assess the child’s learning approach to determine if online home school programs are a sustainable option and then to find the right school to meet their needs and your goals of education. There are several characteristics to look for when ‘shopping’ the education market since there are so many options to choose from including connections to the public-school system, Christian and/or private schools or an independent program.

Curriculum is the first item to consider when comparing program especially if you are looking for courses that match with the family’s worldview. This feature will reduce the search field significantly and allow you to choose from only those schools that offer this approach as part of their standard program. From that list, the next thing to look for is "ease of use" since no student should have to ‘fight’ with the program to understand how to use it on a daily basis. Features that every online homeschool should offer include progress bars, recommended lesson plans or progression, real-time grades and access for both parents and students. A communication link to the applicable teacher is also a great resource along with sites for research, tutorials and other helpful items that pertain to the course.

For consistency, all classes should be accessible from the same portal along with records and documentation like transcripts so they have a one-stop shop for everything they need to transition from high school to applying to colleges. Classes should be structured in such a way that the information builds on itself for ease of understanding and learning which is one reason why deciding on the best school upfront provides stability for upcoming grades. Cost is another factor that parents will want to consider. The final factor is partnering your child with a school designed to help them succeed in education as well as the development of skills including self-discipline and time management. When looking at schools those which are accredited should be the highest ranked as you will know they meet the standards that most colleges and universities expect.

The decision to homeschool belongs to the family and can be very easy for some and more challenging for others depending on the specific personal situations. As with any education, continual evaluation of the student’s progress and grades is a key factor in how they are doing and whether the current method is working as it should. Admission personnel can provide key insights on how the system works, strengths and known deficiencies so this conversation should be one of the first steps a parent does in the process. Demos are a great way to get a hands-on experience with the various systems so be sure to ask about this to get all the information needed to make an informed decision.

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