Co-ops Links
Welcome to the MorningStar Academy's Homeschool Resources: Homeschooling Methods - Co-ops. The MorningStar Academy is dedicated to assisting our families with the finest available education resources. The MorningStar Academy's Academic Counselors and staff have compiled these resources to provide our visitors with information on homeschooling co-ops.
Co-ops: Homeschooling Alliance - Part I
by Kristen Kromer
Homeschooling parent Sandra Willford often encounters hurdles most people never have to face - things like, "Where do you buy two vials of litmus paper?"
Unless you're a professional educator, such a need is hard to fill, and even more difficult to find in small quantities, the Deer Park mom said.
But now, two North Side school districts are giving a helping hand to parents who homeschool their children. Both the Deer Park and Mead districts have started homeschooling support programs that give families access to supplies, resources and teachers.
"Most homeschoolers have a hard time going (to the district) to say `I need help,'" Willford said. "This really opens a door."
Of course, it is an unusual alliance, considering the fact that homeschooling parents are, by definition, unhappy with some part of the public school system. And that makes some parents wary.
"I tend to be very independent," Willford said, "so I thought, `What are they really going to offer?'" Homeschooling outreach programs have recently started popping up around the nation. Each program is different - with its own name, rules and rhythm - since they are driven by the homeschooling communities in each district. What some parents in Deer Park might need, for instance, might not be what the Mead parents need.
Deer Park's Home-Link actually started with a request from homeschooling parents.
"Many parents were interested in having the district offer after- school programs," said Wayne Leonard, business manager for the Deer Park district. "Things like P.E. in the gym, science, computer lab and foreign language - things that maybe they can't teach at home."
Without any advertising, 36 families, with students in kindergarten through grade eight, filled the program. Seven students spilled out onto a waiting list.
Carol VanWormer, who has 11 years experience homeschooling her own six children, was chosen by the homeschooling parents as the program coordinator.
"I think most are in the program because they know me," VanWormer said, stressing the importance of the district having let the homeschooling parents choose the person they'd be working with.
"We are blessed to have her," Willford said. "As a homeschooler herself, she has a concept of the frustrations we go through."
"I like that (VanWormer) has put her kids through school by homeschooling, so we can benefit from her experience," added Deer Park homeschooler Debra Lampe.
The Deer Park School District also provided a special building for the program - completely separate from its schools.
"I think we're unique in that we have our own facility," VanWormer said. "It really validates the program, and says, `It's ours!'" Home-Link families meet once a week with VanWormer for about an hour. The time is spent however the family wants. Some take advantage of VanWormer's French language skill, some get piano lessons, some parents consult with her on curriculum.
