-=> Quoting Charity Ayuso-Onore to Regina Finan <=-
 CA> Hi Regina,
 CA> Two of my children were in special education when they were in the
 CA> school system.  They were not making any progress and seemed to be
 CA> stuck there.  At first I did everything possible to work with the
 CA> teachers and principals.
 My 12 year old is ADD and the school system he was in at first was really
 good with him.  Later we moved to another one and I couldn't get him help.
 His grades went from A's and B's to D's and E's.  I also hated the social
 problems that seemed to plague kids in the educational system.  I am
 fairly religious and hearing all the garbage pour out of my kids mouth
 was the last straw.  My Jonathon had a low IQ but his achievement was
 higher.  I couldn't get the school system to understand that it was so
 because I worked with him 3-4 hours a day and all weekend.  I have 2
 other kids at home that needed help too.  I figured if I was spending this
 much time on my kids why were they going to public school?  I was doing
 most of the teaching anyway. I pulled them out.
 I was very very active in school.  My kids were in special clubs such as
 the science clubs.  I went to any type of class I could and spent time in
 their classrooms and field trips.  I was the parent that sometimes was
 dreaded in school because I knew almost everything that was going on and
 if one thing went wrong on was at their door.  I also was respected and
 when my Jeremy started showing signs of ODD and some violent behavior they
 were very understanding and he never got suspended.  There was only one
 bad incident and the other child started it all.  
 CA> Their prognosis for them was; they would probably not progress past
 CA> third grade level academics.  This was too much.  I quit my regular
 CA> job, starting free lance work by contract and started teaching my kids
 CA> at home.
 Jonathon was 2 years behind but is progressing nicely now.  Jeremy is not
 really behind but has trouble with concentration, spelling and problem
 solving.  Math and science are my children's strong points.
 CA> The male 22yrs is now a 3.0 student (with learning disabilities) but a
 CA> 3.0 average!  He works as a security guard at a local college and is
 CA> in the ministry (has been since 14yrs. old) and majoring in law
 CA> enforcement.  In short he has a life.  The 23yr old (female) has
 CA> graduated with honors and her AA degree.  She is now attending a
 CA> university and majoring in social work and psychology.
 Every time I see these types of posts it is so encouraging.
 CA> My teenager is an accelerated student.  I have learned to ride on
 CA> roller blades (academically) to keep up with her. The hardest thing is
 CA> to stay ahead of her to keep her stimulated and interested.  She's a
 CA> independent student and a good learner.  I miss having more than one
 CA> student at a time but it works out ok.
 I have a very brite child too.  Although she is a perfectionist and once
 I challenge her at something all heck breaks loose.  She is also a
 pessimist .  This doesn't help.  But she is doing good.  An assigment
 of one page takes her little time and if I ask for a story will will
 write 3 or 5 pages.  Like an energized bunny she loves to talk so writing
 stories is very easy for her.
 CA> I work with parents who homeschool and spear head a local support
 CA> group. I have a website - http://www.home.inreach.com/drciao with more
 CA> info. It's under IHTLA; The International Home Teaching & Learning
 CA> Association.  We travel overseas as well as in the USA for field trips
 CA> that are related to academics etc.  Some field trips are retreats and
 CA> some just plain old one day fun outings.  :)
 When we were studying environments in science we took walks and talked
 about trees, houses and all the things around us.  My kids loved it.  They
 discovered things that they had always took for granted.  And while we
 walked they picked up different kinds of leaves.
 CA> Well, I joined this echo to share whatever expertise I thought would
 CA> be helpful to anyone out there and to simply converse about anything. 
 CA> I know I am never to young (tee hee) to learn and there is so much to
 CA> keep up with.
 Thats great.  I have only been homeschooling for a year so I know you 
probably
 have seen and done more than me.  
 CA> Well, I've really enjoyed this talk.  Don't you just love BBSing.  You
 CA> can talk a streak and never be interrupted.  :)
 Yep.  Without my messages I would go nuts.
 Regina
... All I need is a Wave and a board to surf it on.
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