Jessica
What are the pros and cons of special ed homeschooling vs. special ed public school?
I am working on a second bachelors degree in mathematics education. I originally planned to teach junior high. I have a son who was is one-year-old and was just diagnosed with cerebral palsy. I can imagine how much fun it would be to home school and I have/will have lots of resources and experience. However, I know that most schools are also equipped with lots of resources that could be helpful to us as well. I don't have to make this decision for my son for a few years, but it will definitely help me make decisions as I shape my education and future career. Any thoughts would be helpful! #education #special-education
13 answers
Randle Moore
Randle’s Answer
Public schools have far more resources than a home-schooling parent or home-school Co-op, but is less prepared to provide a nurturing environment for your son. For your son, I recommend you fully explore the resources your local public school will be able to provide, look into the resources available from charter schools specializing in special needs students, and comparing these to your resources and the resources of Homeschool Co-ops in your area. Also consider it is not an either / or choice. Consider outside resources plus your own resources.
Naziat Hassan
Naziat’s Answer
Ricardo Bentin
Ricardo’s Answer
The process of learning must be as pleasure as possible (and this includes math of course), then you should try on both and ask your son at the proper time, on which one, he feels is better and loves most.
Alison Morales
Alison’s Answer
I work for an independent study public charter school that serves Tk-12th. We have a special education department I work for. The services are decided by the IEP of the student. They are either done by in house or contracted providers. The goal is of course to have them in the LRE, least restrictive environment, possible. The services can be virtual or in person based on the IEP.
I just wanted to give an insight of what the benefits of a mixed solution of homeschooling with public resources can look like.
Hope this helps!
Becky Tooley
Becky’s Answer
Becky recommends the following next steps:
Connie Moore
Connie’s Answer
I was a math teacher in a high school for over 15 years. I used to be totally against home schooling because I felt the need to students to socialize with students their own age was important. I still believe this to a degree. Having worked in the Corporate world for over 25 years, I know that it is critical for students to be able to work in teams and get collaborate with other people to solve problems. So, if you decide to home school, you need to include a team project component.
I believe that the home schooling decision should be based on the needs of your child. Your child will need special education support services. Some schools are better at providing this than others. Whether you choose a charter school, a regular public school, or a private school, you need to make sure that the school can provide the services that your child will need. You will also need to be able to prepare/and or deliver lessons for your child. The fact that you are in a math education degree program tells me that you will have no problem with this. The problem you will face in the future is how will you be able to balance preparing lessons for your child and preparing the lessons for your middle school students once you begin to work. Teaching math can be very challenging -- it is the hardest job that I have ever done. ( and I was a mathematician on the Space Shuttle!). So the big question for you to consider is balancing the instructional needs for your child and the instructional needs for your future middle school students.
Patricia Troll
Patricia’s Answer
2) Any child is/should be better off with other students with similar age ranges, etc. They need to socialize!! They need to be amongst their peers. They need to be part of the world we all enter every day, whether working, learning, shopping, etc. Children need to know what that world is like so they can learn about it, adapt to it and be a part of it. 3) Home schooling, provided by an city's educational department may only be a few hours a day--and somewhat temporary. The type of teaching may differ as well. 4) How many parents are prepared to provide a full-time education 5 days a week? Education takes a great deal of preparation and parents are already taking care of their homes, their families, etc. There is already so much to do every day without preparing for educating a child 6 -7 hours a day, 5 days a week. It is a lot to think about....but teaching at home is like running a business out of your home--no rest for the weary.
Kendra Bates
Kendra’s Answer
Kendra
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Shirley Eubanks
Shirley’s Answer
Dawn Brubaker
Dawn’s Answer
You are on the right path! The key thing is to explore everything you can now before your son is old enough to enter school. Because schools are under a lot of pressure financially, they might direct your son to a special education class room when he doesn't need one because he is cognitively capable of functioning in a regular education classroom. In this situation attaining a school advocate at local non-profit may be helpful to ensure he is in the most academically appropriate environment. Charter schools are important to research because some are public while others are private. A public charter schools will provide the same level of testing and support a public school will provide. A private charter school is a company using a typical business model. They receive a certain amount of dollars from the state per child sent to that school and their goal is to ensure they stay in the black each year as much as possible to benefit their funders. This type of school model would most likely not go out of their way to provide for a student that requires more resources for educational equity. Homeschooling is always an option and maybe ideal. The school system should still provide testing to evaluate supportive needs depending on state regulations. I'm sure that Utah's department of education would be able to help you determine this in more depth. Also, there may be a local organization with other families of young children with CP that can connect him with socialization skills. Many people have clubs for kids that are homeschooled where they do activities each week together. I hope this was helpful. Many blessings.
Tia Childree
Tia’s Answer
Creating a network is also important. Contact the schools where the scholar is zoned for; counselors have information. Families with scholars who have IEPs will need to ensure accommodations and modifications are being made.
There are non profit agencies that work with home schooling families. It is quite possible to build a learning environment in places other than a traditional classroom. I started 'teaching' my daughter quite early, and she was reading by the time she was 3. We had school from 9a-2p, and that included breakfast, lunch, nap time and PE.
Tia recommends the following next steps:
Darryl Miles
Darryl’s Answer
Shirley Eubanks
Shirley’s Answer
I have worked in public schools from Pre K - 12th grade all subjects and special needs students for about 20 years as a Guest Educator / Substitute Teacher and I would strongly suggest public school vs homeschool due to the services that the public schools have and also the social interaction is every good for special education students. Also some schools have special events that they attend in the school building The teachers are more loving and accepting of special needs students . Also alot of other staff members come and visit the classroom to get a break from the regular classroom for the special needs students behavior is so much better than the regular students due to their disabilities . Over the years I wish that every regular teacher would be required to spend time each week in a special needs classroom to learn how to love and accept and do discipline better.
Homeschooling is wonderful if you have a support groups for both the student and the parents
Hope this helps alot
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