West Virginia school system offering school choice, but not what you think

WV MetroNews ^ | May 12, 2020 | Mike McCullough

[Old Man From WV]

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — Regardless of where the Eastern Panhandle stands with COVID-19 this fall, Jefferson County students will have a choice of how they attend school. During Monday night’s regular meeting, Superintendent Dr. Bondy Shay Gibson said the school system is continuously updating its technological infrastructure. Students will have the option of full virtual learning.

[Old Man From WV]

Here's a school choice idea that's unique. Could this compete with traditional home schooling? What percentage of families will opt for online education only?

[metmom]

It depends on whether the parents want the kids to be brainwashed or not.

If you are using the school’s curriculum, they are still getting the same indoctrination as if they were attending the school.

Homeschooling gives you far more control over the content of what they are learning.

[alternatives?]

But what about all the benefits of socializing with public schools over home schooling?

[SunTzuWu]

There will be a few but most parents couldn’t care less. Schools main function is a govt. paid day care. Parents can’t wait to send their kids back to school.

[Old Man From WV]

I think we are already seeing many of those “benefits” already. I believe I heard that some homeschool parents network with others and at times schedule group field trips, etc. that would serve that function. Many kids have other opportunities for socialization with relatives and neighbors.

Note: I was a public school teacher for over 3 decades. The socialization that children get in public school is way overrated.

[buckalfa]

"Homeschooling gives you far more control over the content of what they are learning"

Agreed, but WV is not exactly home school friendly. Even charter schools are in a trial stage. An online option would be better than nothing.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

Exactly. I started HS my kid and our school system started with the pressure of doing Common Core at home.

NOPE!

My kid is graduating High School with an Associate’s Degree at 18.

[hsmomx3]

I don’t know if anyone has noticed but ABeka has been doing a lot of advertising in the last few weeks on television. I have not seen any other curriculum advertise with the exception of some public school online options.

[metmom]

I don’t watch TV.

We have one but usually I just dust it.

[Tanniker Smith]

Schools are going to have a problem if they expect the same teachers to take and class and provide content online beyond uploading materials online.

It will be interesting if admin suddenly demands cameras in the classroom.

[Tired of Taxes]

I believe I heard that some homeschool parents network with others and at times schedule group field trips, etc.

The homeschool community is enormous and very busy. Once you become involved, the deeper you go, the more people you meet, and the more you find to do: co-ops, groups, clubs, sports, etc. You could find something for your children to do every day of the week, if you wanted to.

As long as a parent is willing to join groups, become involved, make connections, etc., then "socializing" isn't an issue at all. The real issue is finding a balance between homework and everything else. With too much to do, sometimes there's very little time left for homework.

But, homeschool schedules can be flexible. The kids can spread their homework over the whole year, including the summer, or cut their busy schedule down the next year to catch up.

Public-school-at-home wouldn't work the same way - I assume? Wouldn't the kids be stuck in front of a computer screen, having to log in and log out at certain times? Not much flexibility there. They could see their friends in the evenings and on weekends, but the school would dictate the schedule, probably.

[Old Man From WV]

“Public-school-at-home wouldn’t work the same way - I assume? Wouldn’t the kids be stuck in front of a computer screen, having to log in and log out at certain times? Not much flexibility there. They could see their friends in the evenings and on weekends, but the school would dictate the schedule, probably.”

I assume you are correct. It would likely be what they have been doing since the lockdown started. I’ve viewed this as more like homework which is intended mostly for practice to keep skills and knowledge current. Continued learning and skill advancement isn’t going to be as likely.