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David McCullough,

We have just recently changed the format of our home school program.  We
were offering them once a quarter for ages 5-7 and 8-around 12.  It is
formatted to where they could come to the morning or afternoon session
or all day and stay for lunch.  We had such a great response that we had
to do two older classes and there was still a waiting list.  We had a
questionnaire and parents replied that they would like to see the
classes offered on different days instead of the same day since some
cooperative groups meet specific days.  We now have classes offered
every month on two separate days.  The second day that month is a repeat
of the first so that parents have an option of what day they want to
come.

The individual classes do not have a specific format.  The educator is
free to explore different avenues of learning.  Some utilize VC programs
or special speakers, and most with plenty of hands-on activities.  We do
not specifically align each class to the standards at this time.  Yet
the home school classes and activities are similar to the other programs
we offer which we do align to the standards.

We do not have the parents take an active role.  One of the reasons for
home school programs is to give students exposure to social interaction
and communication development.  We do not allow the parents into the
classes so that the students (and educator) feel free to learn and
explore.  We do consider what topics the parents would like offered.

There is a home school informational meeting by a cooperative group each
year letting parents know what types of programs are available to them
in our area.  

I hope this helps with some of your questions.

Erin Martin
Distance Learning Educator
Discovery Center of Springfield
438 E. St. Louis 
Springfield, Mo. 65806
(417) 862-9910 x705
[log in to unmask]

-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David McCullough
Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2006 10:24 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: How do you Home School?

ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
************************************************************************
*****

Greetings!
My name is David McCullough, currently the IPSE intern at The Franklin
Insitute.  We're evaluating and retooling our home school workshops,
and we wanted to get some feedback on how home school programs are going
at other museums.  If you have a free moment, please jot down some
responses to these questions, and e-mail them to [log in to unmask] 
You're thoughts are greatly appreciated.  Many thanks!
David McCullough

1. What is the format you use for your home school workshops?

2. Do you consider state-wide education standards in the design of the
program?

3. Have home school parents taken any active role in the
development/implementation of your programs?

4. What avenues have you used to market to home school families? Do you
charge different rates for specialized home school programming relative
to regular admission and/or other group programming?

5. How would you describe how successful your home school program has
been?

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