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Post by Gillian on Oct 18, 2005 9:54:18 GMT -5
My 14 year old is on his second go-round on a Truancy Diversion Program. He is not allowed to be late for school - even though he knows this this morning he screwed around, wouldn't get up and ended up at least 20 minutes late. My husband has said he will not agree to another go-round and they will just have to do whatever they want to do with him (which I believe means he is removed from the home!). I have to say I am as sick of this as he is and feel the same way really. How can my son not get this??? I know he does get it really but thinks in some insane way it's no big deal. Well, he will think that until they come to remove him from the home! Maybe that's what he needs. It's all so stupid. I am so sick of dealing with this nonsense. Aaaaaugh!
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Post by ohmama on Oct 18, 2005 10:48:41 GMT -5
Gillian,
I don't remember what you said about virtual school, is this possible for your son? It sure has been the answer for us.
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Post by Gillian on Oct 18, 2005 14:22:18 GMT -5
Virtual School is an option for us. It is headquartered right around the corner from us. It has already been put forward as an idea for high school - which he starts next year. I'm mixed. A. It means he would be around home 24/7 which would probably not be good for our relationship. B. In effect he would of 'won' the morning battle. C. My little guy might want to do it (which is not an option as he is in a therapeutic classroom). D. I'm not sure if he'd go for it or not as he is big on the social aspect of school.
What do you like about Virtual School? I don't know much about it except you work at home on the computer a lot and go into the headquarters for a few classes.
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Post by ohmama on Oct 18, 2005 14:38:58 GMT -5
If you don't have a good relationship now then I wouldn't suggest it. He would need to depend on you to be his learning coach and I don't know if that would work for you. It takes its toll for sure. You both would need a lot of patience.
Can he work on his own? If so then this would be excellent for him. The lesson plans and books make it possible and you also have input from the teacher.
I like the school because of the schedule being so flexible and also that you can work at the students pace. There is no stress in this aspect of it. I also like that the books and everything is free. There are no more behavioral problems since there are no other students or classroom setting to cause distractions.
Probably the best advice I could offer on this is for you to talk to the school and have them give you the full presentation on the program. They can also send you a CD on the program for you to investigate together with your boy.
I really love that I don't have to deal with teachers who don't get it. Also, there is no morning rush.
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Post by Gillian on Oct 19, 2005 17:42:31 GMT -5
I agree it would probably not be great for our relationship. Can he work on his own? It's hard to say. Would he get on with things better without the classroom pressure or would he slack off?? That answer is not clear for me. I was thinking I would at least look into it. It seems silly not to. Thanks for the insight.
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Post by ohmama on Oct 19, 2005 19:28:52 GMT -5
Let us know what you decide. I think if you take him with you so he can give his input on the final decision that you may be surprised this could motivate him to do it.
The presentation we went to had a wonderful speaker who gave all the details and answered questions in the group afterward. My son wasn't crazy about the idea of doing this but after listening to what the program was all about he begged me to let him do it.
The speaker brought out that there are some famous kids who attend the virtual school because they either travel or are too involved in making movies to attend regular school.
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Post by Gillian on Oct 20, 2005 9:12:02 GMT -5
You mention that the students can work at their own pace. I presume there is some amount they must get done in a certain time. I'm just thinking what my guy's 'pace' would be - snooze*
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Post by ohmama on Oct 20, 2005 9:57:58 GMT -5
You adjust the schedule to cover something like 5 or 6 subjects a day. My boy gets up and started usually by 10 AM. If he is having a hard time that day, (bipolar problems) we skip or minimize some of the subjects. You have the option of giving a short lesson or it being more complete if necessary. I only give the complete lesson when he doesn't "get it" and needs the practice, like in math. We don't do the same mundane drills over and over. Instead there are different learning techniques and approaches to use for the same lesson. I really like the on-line math tutor that adjusts to the level as you go. There is no homework, everything is able to be covered in under 5 hours so the school day ends at 3 PM for us. On a good day it can take 3 or 4 hours to finish. There are breaks taken when he needs them.
I guess it all depends on the child. If you see the subjects are not being covered you can school in the evening, on Saturday, Sunday or even a Holiday to catch up. You could even do the lessons at any start time you want, there's no set time. This is really a good program for learning without boundaries. It gives the kid and the parent more control over everything. I think this is good to teach self discipline.
You have phone contact with the teacher regularly and also email. There are quizzes and tests done on-line and graded immediately, no waiting, you can see your grade and know where you need to improve and do further study. Other papers need to be sent in once a month for the teacher to look at and grade. This involves things that require more personal input from the child and is given special consideration from the teacher so they can get to know your child.
The kids have their own message forum adjusted according to grade level to send email to each other. They make email pals and improve their writing skills this way as well as communicate with other kids. There is also a PM feature so each one can communicate one on one if they are shy and are not ready to be in a group. I don't know about your boy but with us this works out very well. There are also real field trips where they get to meet other kids in the area who are virtual schooling.
As a parent/learning coach you have access to their home page and can view all messages. You also will have your own home page to verify that assignments are being done so he would need to follow your direction and cooperate fully for it to work.
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