Wondering What Other Moms Think of the Online School Options for Children?

i think it's an excellent option, and i'm always happy to see more diversity offered in the ways we choose to educate our children.
i consider this an excellent transition to homeschooling<G>.
most folks find homeschooling intimidating and overwhelming, and having support and structure from the public schools is a big comfort. but don't be surprised if, as you continue, it dawns on you that since you know your kids best, their strengths and weaknesses, where they need to be challenged and where they should be allowed to race off, that you start to put together your own resources and take over the process yourself.
either way, this is a Very Good Thing.
:) khairete
S.

I have considered looking into this. One of our daughters has dyslexia & ADD and the standard K-12 schooling is just not a good match for her. My hesitance is that she likes the social aspect of school, and I work full time. I will be reading the response with interest. Thanks for posting this.

It sounds like you're very involved with them - keep it that way! The online is really more of a resource, you are going to be the one to explain things they don't understand, make sure they are getting things done and understanding everything, etc. Which means you have to understand everything they are learning! And make sure you know your state's requirements for this kind of program (lots of states require yearly testing to make sure the kids are keeping up with grade level - and most kids are, if their parents are really involved and educating them).

Also look into home-schooling mom communities (google it maybe). You can find other moms who are teaching their kids at home and share ideas and resources. I know that what you are doing isn't exactly home-schooling, but it falls close to it (even though it is a "public virtual classroom"), especially since it sounds like they do it from home and you're the one responsible to see that it gets done.

I think the entire world will be going to the online class settings within this decade. Everyone is going to end up with a giant flat screen TV and many things are going to be done "virutally". It's new technology, if your kids are learning and thriving with it I'd say keep on goin. The world is becoming a dangerous place. Teachers cant control students in the classroom, this is why I believe it will soon all be done at home. The world being the social place that it has always been is now becoming anti-social in real life and social on screen only. It is a very strange transition and evolution that is taking place right now as we speak.

This is our third year with with Washington Virtual Academy, and we have nothing but good things to say. My daughter has really thrived in this setting, and scored in the top 2% in the state. I think there is a HUGE benefit to making learning time and social time separate.

i think it all depends on the setting of the virtual class. i did online classes when i was in high school to try to graduate faster, i hated the classes though. there was never a teacher online when i was doin my work (usually around 10 at night) so mom enrolled me in a high school that was about 35 mins away that would allow me to do what work i needed to graduate in the time frame i wanted. i focused on one subject at a time and finished a whole years worth of classes in less than a month. not saying that that is for everyone either, but if your kids like it then go with it! you always learn better when your having fun!