Compare - ARVA, Homeschooling, Truancy

Home Ed has received inquiries concerning the Arkansas Virtual Academy (ARVA) program. From our discussions, it is obvious there are some questions and confusion concerning this program. Common questions have included the following:

ARVA may or may not be an good educational choice for many families. ARVA is not homeschooling, but many are confusing ARVA with homeschooling. As a homeschool support group, we feel the need to address this.

In the interest of making an informed educational decision we are providing the following information that may help analyze the differences between Arkansas Virtual Academy, Arkansas Homeschooling, and...for good measure...Truancy. Of course, there are other educational choices (Public School, Charter Schools, Private Schools, etc.), but the public seems to have a clear understanding of these options. We are limiting our information here to those items that need clarification.

ISSUE ARKANSAS VIRTUAL ACADEMY (ARVA) ARKANSAS HOMESCHOOLING TRUANCY
What law is each educational choice subject to? Public School Law and the Arkansas Department of Education program under which ARVA is established. Homeschool Law

FYI - the Homeschool Law is available in PDF format on this page from the Home School Office of the Arkansas Department of Education.

 Truancy Law
Is this Homeschooling? ARVA is NOT homeschooling. This is evidenced by the fact that ARVA families are not required to file a Notice of Intent to Home School form nor are they required to follow state homeschool regulations. ARVA describes itself as "an open-enrollment charter school". It has been erroneously called "free homeschooling" and "virtual homeschooling". ARVA is part of the public school system. Yes, this IS Homeschooling. This is not Homeschooling.

This is not Public Schooling.

This is not Private Schooling.

Truancy is an absence of registering and accurately participating in a legal educational methodology.
Who has ultimate accountability? School Authorities are in charge. As a public school, ARVA is held accountable for student academic achievement. ARVA, as an online charter school program, is being measured for effectiveness and future funding and organizational options. To achieve these goals, they will take measures to ensure that their standards are met. The Parent / Guardian is in charge, both legally and in all educational matters including assigning grades, choosing curriculum, setting pace, determining activities, etc.
Legality / Availability ARVA is an Arkansas program available to residents of Arkansas. It has very limited enrollment (approximately 500 students statewide). It is not universally available. As of January 2004, similar programs are available in 11 states and the District of Columbia. Should a family have to relocate out of state, the K12 curriculum can be purchased by the family at approximately $1,500. Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states and in many areas of the world (although requirements vary from state to state). There are thousands of homeschool children in Arkansas. Many families view this broad availability as an advantage should they have to relocate out of state. The chosen education method and selected curriculum would not be interrupted. For mobile families (such as military families) this is very attractive.
How can you tell if it's Homeschooling? ARVA states that it is NOT homeschooling. One general rule of thumb - if it's free (covered by tax dollars), then it's not homeschooling. ARVA does NOT require a Notice of Intent to Home School. Homeschooling is defined by law. In Arkansas, if you have submitted a Notice of Intent to Home School and a Home School Waiver form, then you are a homeschooler. If you are NOT currently registered in a legal educational choice, you are truant.
Support Groups ARVA has it's own "ARVA Community" for ARVA participants and it is focused on ARVA parents, children, ARVA related issues and socialization. There are several local Homeschool support groups around the state focused on Homeschool parents, children, related issues and socialization.
Where is this conducted? ARVA is primarily conducted at home. A computer connected to the Internet is essential (and provided). ARVA extracurricular activities are available in addition to community opportunities (scouts, dance, music lessons, church activities). Homeschooling is primarily conducted at home. A computer is not essential - allowing a lot of flexibility in mobility. Homeschooling extracurricular activities are available in addition to community opportunities (scouts, dance, music lessons, church activities).
Organized / Competitive Sports ARVA has no organized / competitive sports. Because ARVA is not a physical school, they do not offer a full array of extracurricular offerings. ARVA has stated that they want to focus solely on academics. Participation on the Flames Homeschool sports teams is not an option for students who are not homeschooling (such as ARVA students). Homeschooling has organized / competitive sports. There are several Homeschool sports teams around the state - including basketball, volleyball, baseball, cheerleading, etc. They utilize facilities in the community, churches, and private schools. To participate with the Flames, you must show proof of Homeschooling (a copy of a submitted Notice of Intent to Home School form). See Athletics on our web site for details on our sports, including eligibility requirements.
Parental Involvement Parents act as a "Teacher's Aide". Parents spend time supervising the educational activities and in the early grades it is the parent who interacts with the computer. The time requirements are a function of the amount of material that ARVA / K12 prescribes. This is not curriculum you can turn on and leave your child unattended. A small percentage of the time is spent in front of the computer. The rest of the school day is spent working with pencil and paper, drawing, listening to music, conducting experiments, and (in early grades) working with phonics tiles and math blocks. This can take quite a bit of time. For instance, the average estimated time for second grade is 4.75 hours per day.

ARVA says "It should be noted that participation in our program requires a large investment of time by parents. The academic program is demanding, and requires approximately 5 hours per day of student work." Time commitment includes time to "...guide the student through the daily lessons, monitor their assessments, keep them on track, communicate with their teachers, etc."

 The Parent / Guardian is the sole educator. They establish curriculum, set pace and monitor progress, give grades, and approve advancement of the student.
Other Oversight The "Teacher" is an ARVA employee. This teacher tracks progress, gives grades, checks in to provide consultative direction, approves advancement of the student.

Control is largely determined by the entity that sources the funding. ARVA funding is currently provided through state funding.

 Homeschooling is loosely overseen by Arkansas Department of Education.

Since Homeschooling receives no state funding, the state can not use funding as a regulatory tool to manage and oversee Homeschooling.

The Parent / Guardian is in FULL control and they are the sole educator.
Curriculum Curriculum is set by ARVA. Currently this is the K12 curriculum. Curriculum is set by the Parent / Guardian. This can be a variety of curriculums (including K12 or many others). The Parent / Guardian has the authority to change the curriculum and schedule at any time.
Freedom to Tailor Curriculum You can supplement the K12 curriculum, but at a minimum you must fully use the K12 curriculum. You must operate within the prescribed time frames and school year of ARVA. You may fully tailor your curriculum to the Parent / Guardian teaching ability and child's learning ability. EXAMPLE 1: A child may have Reading at 3rd grade level and all other subjects at 4th grade level. EXAMPLE 2: A child may learn better with Saxon Math and A Beka Reading.
Testing Tests include K12 lesson, unit, and semester assessments, Grades 3-8 - Primary Benchmark exams, and Grades K-8 state-mandated norm-referenced assessments (i.e., Iowa Test). Student participation is mandatory. Grades 3-9 - state-mandated norm-referenced assessments (i.e., Iowa Test).
How to Participate Apply with ARVA and wait for possible acceptance. Submit a Notice of Intent to Home School form and a Home School Waiver form to your school district. Avoid a current registration on any form of education - be it Public, Private, Charter, Homeschooling, etc.
Ages / Grades Accommodated A child must be 5 years old by September 15, to enroll in ARVA. ARVA is currently available for grades K-8. You may Homeschool ALL grades - from kindergarten to high school. There are homeschool graduation ceremonies on local and state levels.
Prior Educational Choice Can be anything. Can be anything. Can be anything. Combine this with a total lack of current registration on any form of education and you can see that there is no such thing as a "truant homeschooler", "truant public schooler", etc. Those in this category are just plain Truant - and subject to the penalties of established Truancy Law. Truancy is a crime punishable by penalties ranging from a simple fine to imprisonment of the parent and loss of custody of the children.
Program Costs Program costs are paid by state funding. Homeschooling costs are totally borne by Parent / Guardian.
Additional Costs Must buy printer supplies (paper, printer ink, etc.) Can be more expensive than you might first think since some work is to be printed off and completed. May have postage costs for sending in physical work. ARVA will subsidize your Internet fees. You'll pay the difference in Internet connection fees and the subsidy. Whatever costs parents choose to incur - supplemental classes, activities, etc.
Other ARVA is fairly new. It began accepting students in January 2003. New choices are appealing...sometimes just because they are new. ARVA is funded by the state of Arkansas. The limits of this funding sets the limits of the number of students and extent of the grades served. ARVA can be a great choice for those wanting to educate their children at home, but needing strong direction, management, and confirmation. Resources are available as a result of state funding dollars (a minimum of parental financial commitment). ARVA holds many of the privileges of being part of the public school system. However...there is a serious time commitment, it is not a fully computer-based education that requires no parent interaction, there are no organized / competitive sports, the program does not work for everyone, and...it is not homeschooling. Homeschooling has been legal in Arkansas since 1985. It is basically stable and proven. Homeschooling can be a great choice for those wanting to educate their children at home. It does require considerable initiative on the part of the Parent / Guardian. Homeschooling allows maximum flexibility to tailor a successful learning experience for the child and parent. It takes a serious commitment on the part of the Parent / Guardian. There are a variety of curriculum choices - including those that will assist in setting direction and pace, while also giving reassurance on appropriate progress. Resources and curriculum are purchased by the Parent / Guardian. There are creative ways to minimize curriculum costs. Despite the success of homeschooling, it is frequently misunderstood and attacked - culturally and legislatively. Homeschooling does not work for everyone. Some may suggest that you can "homeschool" and not submit a Notice of Intent to Home School form. This is not homeschooling, it is TRUANCY.

Truancy applies to those avoiding registration for or participation in any educational choice (Public School, Private School, Charter School, Homeschool, etc.)