The issue that I have is that future employers, the military and colleges still do put value on that HS Diploma. I agree that when government HS graduates can’t parse a sentence or deliver correct change that calls the value of that HS Diploma into question. It just isn’t a home education world yet.
The value of that HS diploma varies on the situation and available resources to obtain it.
Out of curiosity, do you recall which programs impressed you as being a relatively good choice?
I’ve looked into different virtual learning schools and correspondence programs over the years. I can’t remember the names of all of them. But I remember several of them costing between $3,000 - $7,000 per year per student. :-0
For example, here are the fees for the virtual online Christa McAuliffe Academy:
http://www.cmacademy.org/admissions/TuitionAndFees/
Another example - Keystone National High School:
http://www.keystonehighschool.com/tuition/full-time.php
One of the more reasonably priced programs is Seton, a Catholic homeschool program that offers high school diplomas. Here are its fees:
http://www.setonhome.org/admissions/enroll1.php#fees
Still steep, imho. And, remember, the fees only include books and/or computer CDs. Then we’re stuck with the books in the package. Parents I know who’ve used full package programs end up buying books elsewhere, anyway, because not every book in the package meets their children’s needs.
Another disadvantage is that you’re held back if you can move at a quicker pace in certain subjects. Yes, we’d prefer our children had their diplomas so they could avoid having to do extra explaining at college and job interviews. But, we’ll opt for the extra explaining if receiving a diploma means our children’s college education will be delayed.
For example, our eldest at age 12 is capable of doing college level math. I’d rather enroll him into a college’s cyber-courses for him to earn dual credit (toward both college and high school) than put him through a distance learning high school program that would delay his college education. See my post #93 - I recently read that our state will offer an official diploma to people who meet certain requirements such as a minimum number of college credits. We might try that route...