Loading...
This chapter from 'The Well-Trained Mind' explores various external resources available to home-schooling families, particularly for high school education. It emphasizes the importance of 'outsourcing' certain subjects or activities to complement parental teaching and address potential knowledge gaps.
The text begins by acknowledging parents as primary teachers in early grades but recognizes the need for additional support as subjects become more advanced. It introduces several options for supplementing home education, including tutors, online resources, distance learning, cooperative classes, and college courses.
Tutoring is extensively discussed, with advice on finding qualified tutors, setting up sessions, and ensuring student safety. The chapter emphasizes the importance of supervision and provides practical tips for parents managing tutor relationships.
Online and correspondence courses are presented as flexible options that offer structured learning experiences and official grades. However, the potential inflexibility of correspondence courses is noted as a drawback.
Cooperative classes and home-school 'academies' are highlighted as community-based solutions that leverage the diverse expertise of home-schooling parents. These options provide opportunities for specialized instruction and peer interaction.
Lastly, the chapter discusses the potential for high school students to take community college or university courses, offering advice on enrollment and highlighting the need for parental supervision in these more independent learning environments.
Throughout, the text emphasizes the importance of maintaining parental oversight and responsibility for the student's education, even when utilizing external resources. It presents these options as ways to enhance and diversify the home-schooling experience while preserving its core benefits of flexibility and personalized attention.