Homeschooling vs Opting Out

SARATOGA FAMILY | SUMMER 2020 13

Homeschooling vs. Opting Out

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER Concern and confusion are our companions this fall as we enter into the new school year. Although schools have been given the go-ahead to open for in-person instruction, some parents are not yet comfortable sending their kids back to school. This leaves parents with two choices – to homeschool or to opt out of in-person schooling. These terms are being used interchangeably but are actually quite different.

HOMESCHOOLING

The US Dept. of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics reports that traditionally, approximately 3 percent of 5 to 17 -year-olds, or 2.5 million students, are homeschooled. Homeschooling is parent-led instruction that must adhere to state standards. This means parents need to do their homework and be engaged in their children’s course of study. New York is among the 10 percent of states that have strict homeschool guidelines. These include attendance, course, and assessment requirements. A parent has 30 days after submitting a “Notice of Intent to Homeschool” to their district superintendent to decide on a curriculum that details how specific topics or concepts will be covered in each subject and a plan for year-end student evaluations. The National Home Education Research Institute reports that the average homeschooling family spends $600/student annually on materials. For homeschooling information, go to the New York Education Department website at www.p12.nysed.gov

OPTING-OUT

Instead of homeschooling, many are choosing their school’s “Opting-Out” plan. Although what this looks like varies from school to school, it is comparable to the school’s in-person curriculum but is being delivered virtually. In most schools, students in the remote learning model are required to log-in for attendance, instruction and meetings, then complete assignments off-line. Parents can choose to have their students return to in-person learning at predetermined intervals through the year or have them stay in the remote program for the entirety of the 2020-2021 school year. “What we want is a remote-learning equivalent with one-on-one interaction between students and teachers. It’s really important. Our goal is to replicate that in a remote or virtual basis

as much as we can,” said Lisa Brown, Head of School at Saratoga Independent School. In the spring, this included holding fun virtual events, including a talent show and carnival. The effort that teachers put into their students’ remote experiences and in recreating that feeling of being together has led to an increase in enrollment at Saratoga Independent School. “The majority of parents are looking forward to returning to in-person learning but our plan accommodates those who are not confident about sending kids to school yet. They are feeling a sense of relief that remote learning is available,” said Brown. To find out more information about your school’s remote learning plan, visit their district website.