In this and the following options, it would be helpful to think of the parent and student as education brokers. They are the ones ultimately in charge, and they find courses and experts to help them put together an academic program. In this particular option, you pay to take all of your courses from Correspondence Schools. You could take all of the courses from one institution, or you could choose courses from several different correspondence schools. When you put all of the course work together, you would have a complete high school program. This is like ordering from the menu at a Chinese restaurant (one from column A and two from column B…) or eating dinner at the Mall. You have lots of options to choose from.
 
Pros:

• You have more freedom and flexibility in course offerings. ·   
• You can choose courses to meet your student’s individual needs.
• You could provide more in-depth study in areas your student wishes to pursue.
• You could allow early graduation and transition into textbooks.
• You are locked into the schools’ time frame for each course.
• You have to keep the final records, send transcripts, and issue the diploma.
• Parent can feel confident that the school has put together an adequate scope and sequence — especially in areas that the parent does not feel competent to teach.
• The school might supply telephone “tutoring.”

 
Cons:

• You still have to choose from courses available through correspondence programs. You can’t “do your own thing.”
• The schools provide documentation concerning each course your student takes.
• You are still stuck with a school’s scope and sequence, methods, course outline, the workplace, vocational school, or college.
• While working on a course, you are accountable to the correspondence school.
• Parental involvement is limited to helping and testing.

 
What to Look for in Correspondence Schools

1.   Costs per course. Are textbooks included? Can you return the course if you decide that you do not like it? Will you get a full refund?
 
2.   What support services do I get for my money? Can I call a teacher? Is there a toll-free or local line to talk to a teacher?
 
3.   How do they handle tests? Do they provide answer keys? After taking a test do you just go on? Or do you have to wait until the test is returned to go on to the next level? Who grades the test — a teacher or a graduate assistant? Are they machine or hand scored? Do you get feedback about what you did not understand, or do you only get the test score returned? If the student fails a test, can they retake it?
 
4.   What is the range of courses offered? Do you ever get a choice of textbooks? What about secular world views in materials? Will that bother you? Does the school’s religious/philosophical point of view match yours? Does that matter to you?
 
5.   How long is your student given to complete the course? Is getting a time extension an option? Can they work through the summer?
 
6.   How well can they work to accommodate your child’s special needs/learning styles/vocational choices? Is there any flexibility at all? Do you need flexibility?
 
7.   Will the school issue a diploma? Can you buy just one course? Can you do most of your course work with them and NOT be issued a diploma?
 
For High School Correspondence Schools/Courses, click here.