Distance Learning 

Understanding the Rules and Options

Distance Learning or Homeschooling is legal in every state. However, there are many different rules depending on the state you are in. Families of Faith Christian Academy International has its main campus in Florida, so we know the rules for Floridians, which are detailed in the first link in the sidebar. If you are not from Florida, much of the information on this website will still be of use to you, and we have have students from many states, and several additional countries.

If you are not from Florida, you definitely want to check the rules from your state. The best source for that is Home School Legal Defense Association. HSLDA

Homeschool Registration or Enrolling in a Private School

As detailed under the Rules and Options tab, (Sidebar) Families of Faith Christian Academy International (FOFCAI) is a Private School. In Florida, most students and families know about the Florida Virtual School (FLVS), which is a Florida public school. Full-time students enrolled in FLVS do their school work from home, but are not "homeschoolers"; they are public school students. The same is true for students enrolled in FOFCAI. They are private school students even if they complete some or all their course work at home.

The Rules and Options links provide in depth details on the County Registered Homeschooler requirements and the guidlines for the Private School Option.

For county registered homeschoolers and students enrolled in FOFCAI, there are many delivery and curriculum options for completing the required course work. FOFCAI has four unique enrollment pathways or programs, with additional options or components to customize the learning experience to meet the specific needs of an individual student.

Enrollment Programs:

The Distance Learning Program is an enrollment option where the student is enrolled in FOFCAI, and the school maintains the student's official records. We refer to this program as the "Parent Directed, School Verified" Program. The school works with the parents to ensure the courses and material used meet the required standards, including all aspects of the verification of mastery so that grades and credits (if appropriate) can be issued, including high school graduation.
For full details on the Parent Directed, School Verified Program,  Click here . . .

The Classroom Program is the traditional five day a week campus option that has been the standard in American Education for the last one-hundred-fifty years.
For full details on the Full-time Campus Program in Lakeland FL,  Click here . .

The Virtual School Program is an enrollment option that provides a virtual learning environment which includes teacher grading and interaction with the student through a state of the art Learning Management System.
For full details on the Full-Time Virtual School Program,  Click here . .

The Adult Program is for students that were not able to complete high school graduation during the traditional time frame. It is not a GED program, as only the public school system can offer a General Education or Equivalency Diploma. It is an option for a student to complete the courses needed to earn a real high school diploma, regardless of their current age.
For full details on the Adult Education Program,  Click here . . .

Components

Components refers to a sub-part of a program or a stand alone option that can be added to a program or taken individually. A way to add color and variety to your schooling choices.

Blended    Options refers to an educational plan where parts of more than one option are combined. Here are some examples:
Student A is enrolled in FOFCAI under the Distance Learning Program (Parent Directed - School Verified) program, but Mom prefers that he attend the College Prep English class that meets two days a week with a live instructor.
Student B is an 8th grade county registered homeschooler. Although she  is not enrolled in FOFCAI, she uses the   Videos On-Demand Component to watch each math lesson during the day, just like a regular student,    then Dad helps her with her homework when he gets home, as needed.
There are dozens of combinations depending on the needs of an individual student.
For additional examples and listings of current options, go to the Blended Components page Here . .

Curriculum

Here is where the fun begins. The answer to "What do I do on Monday" depends on the curriculum that is chosen, and there are lots of quality choices.
Traditional Textbooks designed for a classroom,
Self-Paced Curriculum, most often a series of workbooks,
Specialized Curriculum designed with "Homeschoolers" in mind,
Virtual or On-line must be added to the list, of course.

With all of the choices, how am I to find the "Right" curriculum for my student?

The reviews on this website are not a complete listing of every acceptable curriculum, but they are a listing of those products that have been used with success by us personally or our families, and verified to meet national standards for required content. Starting with a discussion of curriculum types and the students that do well with them, to a Publisher List with links to a review of each publisher. You many not find the "Right" curriculum the first time out, but you will find quality.

Support Groups

Some of the support comes from a national group like Home School Legal Defense. (HSLSA) Then there are statewide groups that often are the best source for a Home School Curriculum Convention, like the Florida Parent Educators Association. (FPEA) But the most direct support comes from a local Co-op (or Blended Component) or Support Group like HOPE Homeschoolers or Lighthouse Homeschoolers in Lakeland, Florida. No Homeschool Support Page is ever really complete, as groups start all the time, but here is a list to get you started.

If you are a member of the leadership of a support group and would like to be listed, just contact the office at the email address listed in the footer, and we will add you to the list.