Aren’t homeschooling, online schooling, and remote learning basically the same thing? The truth is: There are actually big differences between these three types of learning environments. Understanding these differences can help parents set expectations, ask questions, and better consider school choices.
HOMESCHOOLING
It feels like most, if not all parents are homeschooling their kids these days, right? Well, not exactly. Certainly, there’s a historic level of at-home learning going on, but just because students are literally at home, that doesn’t mean that they are homeschoolers. Homeschooling is not only a style of instruction, but it’s also a legal term too. It means that parents have taken full responsibility for educating their kids in the home.
But just because parents have taken full responsibility for their children’s education doesn’t mean that they are “on their own.” Far from it! There are more resources available for homeschoolers than ever before, from fully-developed curricula to supplemental online homeschool courses to local homeschooling groups (often called cooperatives, collaboratives, or learning pods) that can help. Each state has different legal rules for homeschooling. Learn more here: https://schoolchoiceweek.com/homeschooling/.
REMOTE OR VIRTUAL LEARNING
When bricks-and-mortar schools and school districts talk about remote or virtual learning in response to the pandemic, they are usually talking about students learning from home, via computer, using curricula developed by their child’s bricks-and-mortar school. Some schools are using platforms like Zoom to administer this learning, while others are contracting with online learning providers to develop a more seamless experience.
The rapid, pandemic-related switch from in-person instruction to remote or virtual instruction in schools and districts is best defined as emergency or crisis remote or virtual learning. Dive deeper into this form of choice at: https://schoolchoiceweek.com/traditional-public-schools/. FULL-TIME ONLINE SCHOOL
There’s a world of difference between emergency remote learning and full-time, tuition-free online schooling. These schools are tuition-free public schools that, every year, educate 300,000 students on a full-time basis across 33 states and the District of Columbia. These schools are created by states, school districts, or established as public charter schools, and they existed long before COVID-19.
Students enrolled in full-time online schooling will find qualified teachers who are specifically trained to deliver instruction using new technology. Curriculum and lessons align to state education standards, and full-time, online public schools must meet all state education laws. For families who are uncomfortable with their school’s emergency remote learning systems, enrolling your child in a full-time, online public school might be a better fit. Learn more here: https://schoolchoiceweek.com/guide-to-online-school/.
