Is Alternative Education Becoming the New Normal?

BY JASON HUDDLE

Some mainstream educators accused parents, who chose to homeschool, of raising their children in a “fishbowl” and cutting them off from the outside world. Others believed they were religious zealots and their children were socially inept – unable to relate to their peers. Then, overnight, every family became a homeschooling family.

Jennifer DeRosa, author and home education expert, discussed this topic in the “Help! I’m Not a Teacher!” episode of the Up Front with Cabarrus Magazine podcast in April 2020. What parents were forced to do in March was not traditional homeschooling. It was “schooling from home,” she specified. The difference, DeRosa explained, is homeschooling parents are able to pick out their curriculum, dictate where, when and how they are going to educate their child, what projects they will tackle, and so on. Schooling from home entails your child learning curriculum the school system has chosen, turning in projects on their timeline, and completing assignments according to their specifications.

However, since nearly every parent has received a taste of what it would be like to educate their children from home, many are strongly considering the possibility of continuing home education, even if the schools reopen with a normal schedule.

The College Career Promise (CCP) program, offered at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC), allows high school students to take classes that qualify for both high school graduation, as well as credits toward their associate or bachelor’s degree. Or, if their interest is in a trade skill, they can also choose a path that allows them to earn certificates in various fields, from computer technology to welding, and everything in between.

Photo courtesy: Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

“A lot of parents are concerned about sending their kids back to school in the fall,” explained Spencer Mason, executive office manager and board member of North Carolinians for Home Education (NCHE). “We’ve definitely seen an increase of phone calls, emails and website visits from parents wanting to know how to get started.” Mason added that over 600 people attended a “homeschool orientation” webinar in July.

Evelyn Bickley, a home educator for over 24 years, including teaching four of her own children, had some sound advice for those looking to begin homeschooling. “I would encourage them to not be afraid. They know their children (better than anyone). Go slow and easy until they find out what is going to work for them.”

One of the advantages of homeschooling is your child is the only student in the class. Therefore, if they pick up a subject quickly, you can move through it as fast as they are able, without having to wait on slower students who may not grasp the concept as well. Likewise, if your child is struggling in a certain area, you have the freedom to slow down and focus on their needs without getting left behind. Regardless, every child is different, so Bickley said there will be some trial and error when selecting the right curriculum for your child. “Don’t buy an entire a curriculum until you know it is a good fit for your child,” she elaborated. “Just because it worked for your friend, it might not work for you.”

In addition, Bickley said many new homeschool parents have various misconceptions regarding what this new venture will be like. “(Some think) it’s all going to be milk and honey and roses, and others have the opposite feeling that they can’t do this, and they are going to ruin their children.

The process to register for the CCP program is relatively simple. Each student must fill out an application on RCCC’s website (rccc.edu). The next step is to contact their high school guidance counselor, who will need to fill out an approval and transfer form. Students can register up until the last business day before their desired classes begin. Fall semester classes for 2020 begin August 17.

Photo courtesy: Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

The truth is in the middle. There will be some wonderful days and there will be days you want to investigate boarding school options,” she quipped.

Parents may find social opportunities more limited under COVID-19 restrictions. However, Bickley explained there are still some “wonderful resources with online groups…(You can) find real people with children roughly the same age. Seek out social and academic activities to do together.” The best advice Bickley had for parents was to realize they are not in this alone. “Find your tribe of support and lean on them,” she stated.Bickley is the administrator for two area “Gavel Clubs,” which help students learn to be confident public speakers — a “Toastmasters for kids” program, if you will. Unfortunately, the groups had to finish the last six classes online, “which isn’t ideal for public speaking,” lamented Bickley. However, she still hopes they will be able to meet again, beginning mid-September. Of course, the groups will most likely be capped at a smaller number of students. Programs like Gavel Club allow homeschooled students to have the social interactions necessary for development. Parents will find there are clubs and programs for almost every interest.

In addition to traditional homeschooling, parents of high school juniors and seniors have another alternative which also allows them to earn college credit with no tuition fees. The College Career Promise (CCP) program, offered at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC), allows high school students to take classes that qualify for both high school graduation, as well as credits toward their associate or bachelor’s degree. Or, if their interest is in a trade skill, they can also choose a path that allows them to earn certificates in various fields, from computer technology to welding, and everything in between.

Photo courtesy: Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

With the average in-state cost of attendance to an NC university now over $18,000 per year, the cost savings for parents to receive two years of tuition-free college education is something to consider. This includes the opportunity to take summer courses as well, if desired.

The process to register for the CCP program is relatively simple. Each student must fill out an application on RCCC’s website (rccc.edu). The next step is to contact their high school guidance counselor, who will need to fill out an approval and transfer form. Students can register up until the last business day before their desired classes begin. Fall semester classes for 2020 begin August 17.

For those who are concerned about COVID-19, RCCC officials told CM 90% of classes this coming semester will be online. However, for classes that cannot be completed online, such as lab courses, social distancing will be implemented.

In 2014, CM interviewed a Cabarrus County couple who had decided to begin homeschooling her child in third grade. “We made the decision to homeschool when our youngest son was struggling through his third-grade year,” the mother told CM at the time. “He was benefitting from several resources within the school; however, we noticed his personality was changing quite a bit. He was becoming more selfconscious and withdrawn. This was different from the outgoing, bubbly child he had been. At that time, we felt we could better customize his academics to better meet his needs.”

In a follow-up interview for this article, the student’s father explained their son is doing wonderfully. He is still being homeschooled, and entering his senior year of high school. He has also just received his Information Technology Essentials Certificate, which he was able to earn through the CCP program at RCCC. He is still enrolled in the program and plans to graduate high school with several more college credits to his name.

Even though the reasoning for beginning his homeschool journey may have been different than parents cite during this crisis today, the advantages of choosing this path can no longer be dismissed as only practical, or necessary, for a few. For more information on the CCP program, listen to the “Alternative Education” episode of Up Front with Cabarrus Magazine podcast from July 2020.

For more information on homeschooling, visit nche.com.