Story By Amy Miller, Asheville Citizen-Times, 1/7/05
HENDERSONVILLE - Cindy Casoria can give plenty of advice to home-schooling parents. For the last 16 years, Casoria has taught her seven children reading, writing and arithmetic at home. Her four oldest have already graduated with a high school diploma given by her "school." ...(Disclosure: I'm actually posting this on February 9 but backdating it to be in proper chronological sequence. I do wish people would get our name right.)
"I wanted to spend more time teaching them our values and the things we believe about life," Casoria said. "That's hard to do when they are away from you eight hours a day." ...
Like Casoria, parents choose to home-school for many reasons, said Hal Young, president of North Carolinians for Homeschool Education. A family may have religious or political reasons, and a growing number are increasingly concerned about how students in public or private schools behave, whether it's using illegal drugs or bullying ...
"At one time, home schooling was a radical departure," Young said. "But as the home-schooled population continues to grow, people are getting more exposure to people who home-school. And as people learn about support networks in place, it is something that becomes more accessible. People start to think, 'Maybe we should do this.'" ...
Finding a local support network is one of the first things Young advises parents to do when considering home schooling. Experienced homeschoolers can help parents pick a curriculum best-suited for their child. They can tell them the best extra-curricular activities at museums or parks. They know tutors who can help teach tough subject matter. They can also offer a sympathetic ear when things get difficult.
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