We have been a part of a district charter school for homeschoolers since our arrival in Alaska in 1998. We personally experienced those times when the district made very clear just how the educational dollars provided by the state through the state foundation formula could be spent. For instance, there were questions whether you spend a student’s entire allotment on horseback riding, and could you purchase rose bushes for your home under the heading of “Botany”? The answers to both of those questions came back as a resounding “No!”

This local oversight, driven by public perception at times and provided by the local school board, gives the district programs a very focused sense of accountability. While not governed by the same regulations that a statewide correspondence school is, they are governed, and more closely so, because of the fact that they must answer directly to the community authorities (often responding to concerns voiced within the community) within which they exist.

The issue of whether sectarian materials should be allowed as part of a student’s learning plan is another matter. My feeling, based upon experience, is that if a family can demonstrate that the delivery method they are using for education allows their students to master state standards in the particular discipline at a reasonable rate, it should be permitted, though of course, not necessarily funded.

In other words, if a child uses a religious text to learn Algebra, and can demonstrate mastery, the state should not pay for the curriculum, but should allow the grade to to be transcribed into the student’s record.

The key here is that each homeschool program, statewide or district , has a valid means of assessing mastery — the academic accountability aspect. Here again, local oversight has the ability to provide a mechanism for so doing that is driven by local values.

I obviously feel very strongly about this whole issue and it is because I truly believe that Alaska is unique, and leading the nation, in its provision of educational options for homeschoolers. I very much want that to continue to be the case!

I will read more later when I have the time to read all the information about this.