Homeschoolers Are Not Entitled to Free School Onlineby Andrea Hermitt | More from this Blogger 10 Nov 2009 04:02 PM The Missouri Virtual School which many homeschoolers use to teach their kids for free is in danger of shutting down due to a lack of funding. Missouri Virtual Instruction, also called MoVIP has allowed many public school students as well as homeschoolers to take courses online for free. This allows struggling students to graduate on time, and allows homeschoolers access to the same education that public school children get. In spite of repeated warnings for homeschoolers to not rely on public resources the word FREE is something that they cannot seem to turn away from. What we must realize is that what can be given can also be taken away, leaving you to scramble for a solution and ending up at a loss. In this case, what was once free for homeschoolers suddenly comes with a large price tag. Misty and Stuart Arthur homeschool their children and each course adds up quickly... "Purchasing the program is not an option," Misty said. "It's very costly. It's very much worth it but having seven children and purchasing it for the other kids is not a possibility." So should homeschoolers be upset about this? Do they even have a right? As someone who chose to educate my child on my own, outside of the traditional methods, I don't feel that the state owes me any free services. Sure it's nice if they give it freely, but if they can't or won't provide it, then I am responsible to pick up the slack. In making this statement, I am not speaking of students who are homebound due to illness or injury and who still willingly fall under the public school status. In this case, the school district needs to find ways to continue to educate these kids at home. ~If you liked this you should also read my blogs at the home blog, the parents blog, and the frugal blog. You can read my recent posts here. The differences Between Homeschooling and Public School at Home Do You Want Free Stuff, or a Free Way of Life? More about Online Public Schools More Thoughts about Schooling Online Learn more about Andrea Hermitt  Andrea Hermitt is a native New Yorker currently residing in GA. She has been married for over 16 years and has two teenage children. Relevanthomeschooling tags User Comments CrystalDS (11) 11 Nov 2009 11:44 AMI think some homeschoolers are taking advantage of the system. They want all the benifits all the way around, they want the freedom to go to events on school days, schedule things when convenate and also get discounts to museums and such. Then on the other hand they want the schools to recognise them and help them out, they want to go to art classes, theatre events and other extra cirricular activiites in the public school. They want teachers to make lesson plans availible online so they can see what their kids should be doing. You cant have everything. Discuss this article
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