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 Info, opinions about IDEA-NM (currently 7,083 views) |
| Admin |
| Posted on: September 2nd, 2006, 3:35am |
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Posts: 1,794
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Thanks for your input, Loretta. I especially value the contributions of someone with first-hand experience of IDEA.
When you say that IDEA is being given a "bad time," I hope you mean by HSDLA and CAPE-NM, and not by the people on this forum. We're just here throwing out questions and trying to come to terms with how we feel about this new home education choice that's being offered in New Mexico.
I also appreciate that those of you who are (or will be) paid by IDEA-NM are identifying yourselves that way in your posts. That shows a lot of sensitivity on your part, because I think people do like to know that. I don't mean to suggest that your opinions are slanted because of that, just that it's something people want to find out sooner rather than later, if that makes sense...? |
Elizabeth
Mom to Eric (8 ) and Ruby (4.5) |
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Reply: 30 - 61 |
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| Gretchen |
| Posted on: September 2nd, 2006, 3:51am |
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Dawn, I plan to attend the meeting. But for others here who can't make it at that time, Lisa told me she'd be happy to organize another chance to meet with people.
Loretta, I really appreciate you sharing your experience with us!
Katrina, wow, I hadn't even though of becoming a Rep! Let me get my feet wet first and see how it goes.  |
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Reply: 31 - 61 |
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| akjlfarnold |
| Posted on: September 2nd, 2006, 4:33am |
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| We would like to come to the meeting too, is it something our kids are welcome at? How long is the meeting? Just need to get a feel for if we need to find a babysitter! |
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Reply: 32 - 61 |
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| ILuvMy3Byz |
| Posted on: September 2nd, 2006, 4:34am |
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Elizabeth, I can not speak for Loretta, but I for one respect this conversation on this board, at least you all asked for information instead of just jumping to a conclusion. I respect that. CAPE and HSLDA just were brutal and I was really shocked at some of the things that were said. I also used a similar organization when we were in Florida, I used it my first year as a homeschooler and I am not sure that I would have made it through my first year without a program like it. I am also not sure that I would have continued to homeschool and I guarantee that I would not be leading a homeschool group. My charter experience gave me the confidence I needed to do it on my own and when I found out NM was getting a similar program I jumped on it and was excited to sign on as a rep. And the main reason I wanted to sign on as a rep was to get the truth out there.
I know the program is not for everyone. But I can only see the good in it, I can not tell you how many times I have told people I homeschool and they have said to me, I have thought about homeschooling but I don't think I could do it. How nice would it be to have been able to say well you could try using this program and with the help of a registered teacher you can try homeschooling it won't cost you any money and you have nothing to lose. Then that is another family that we are getting to homeschool.
I appreciate anyone who is honest. This program is not for everyone and I would never pressure anyone to do something they do not feel is right for their family. |
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| ILuvMy3Byz |
| Posted on: September 2nd, 2006, 4:39am |
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| Both my husband and I are going there for our kids will be there. I am bringing someone in my homeschool group and her son is coming. I am going to see if I can get someone to watch my youngest cause he is a handful but kids are fine. For those of you that have never been to the flying star it is pretty laid back, they have magazines for the kids to look through or you can bring books or things for them to do. I am going to get there early and try to get the back corner and get some tables put together. That is what we have done for some homeschool mother's night outs. |
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Reply: 34 - 61 |
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| akjlfarnold |
| Posted on: September 2nd, 2006, 4:43am |
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Excellent, thank you! I love things where my kids are welcome! In that case, we will definitely be there.
Another question i keep meaning to ask, if we choose to enroll one and not the other of our kids, is that ok? Does it have to be a whole family deal?
Karen |
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Reply: 35 - 61 |
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| elmuyloco5 |
| Posted on: September 2nd, 2006, 1:10pm |
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Loretta,
This is Katrina, I met you at the later info session in Santa Fe. From what I understand, we are going through the same type things in our area as Questa and Los Alamos are very similar.
Thanks , so much for your post of personal experience with the program. Would you mind anyone copying it to use as a testamonial for some of the online communities that might like to hear from someone with experience? Although we were only briefly familiar with the program in Alaska when we were looking to move there, we could tell that it was unlike the others we had seen before. I wish we were aware of the program in Hawaii, but all the organizations that we contacted, never told us about it. It's the finest example as to why the Reps are trying to get the word out to parents. How else are they gong to know about it? We had no idea that they were in other states either, we just knew them as the Interior Distance Education Alaska.
To everyone else:
We love Los Alamos though, and feel that we have hit the jackpot all of a sudden. My husband has a nice job (finally after 9 years in the Navy), there are at least 15 kids on our street all within 2 years of my kids ages (and bizzarly enough....all on the same side of the street), our rent is incredibly low for the area and it's a beautiful home, we love the mountains and the trees, and we are lucky enough to have hiking trails right across the street from our house! We've said it would be the perfect place if we had the educational opportunities they have in Alaska. When I got the email about IDEA, I was screaming! I couldn't believe my eyes.
I've been acused lately (on another board) of trying to push parents into this program for commission (they just assumed we were being paid for this because my posts show excitement (which the family reps will be in the future, but not commission and not to get people in). They just don't understand how blessed I feel to get to have this program. We've been just scraping by for almost a decade now. Military pay is pathetic for low ranking enlistedmen. And while our new job is huge improvement, my husband isn't a scientist and he isn't making the 6 figures that many are up here. I'm thrilled to have the extra money to get the things we could never afford for our kids. I'm thrilled that we are finally going to have a homeschool community and group activities that we've never had before. Maybe this seems silly to some of you out there, but this is a dream come true for us. This is exactly what my husband and I have been praying for, and we're finally going to get it.
I would never want to push anyone into a program that isn't right for their family. But, I urge those of you who are against it, just take a closer look. I'm not asking you to join, but maybe you'll learn what the program is really about, so you can understand better why some of us are choosing it. |
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Reply: 36 - 61 |
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| elmuyloco5 |
| Posted on: September 2nd, 2006, 1:21pm |
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Sorry, I was reading through all of the posts again and realized that Elizabeth asked about my Sept deadline for the ILP's. I applogize for any confusion.....that will be the ongoing rule for next year. Because they got such a late start while waiting for the state to give the "go ahead", it's not a deadline for this year. I haven't personally done mine yet. They are working very hard though to get everyone who wishes to enroll, set up. I was told in my acceptance letter that I would be contacted in a few days by my teacher to set up our ILP. So, please don't feel that you cannot still enroll. They are unsure when they will stop enrollment this year, and as soon as I find out, I will let you know.
And, as well, I appologize if I haven't made it clear that I will be a Family Rep. When I said I don't get money for telling you this, it is true. I have not received a dime for anything I have said to you. I will be starting my training next weekend and I'm assuming I will be signing all the employment type paperwork then. I am not, though, employed by them at the moment and my job does not depend on me getting any of you signed up in thr program. IDEA just asked us to spread the word as they don't have a good way to reach the homeschoolers here. |
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Reply: 37 - 61 |
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| carissanichols |
| Posted on: September 2nd, 2006, 1:31pm |
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Quoted from ILuvMy3Byz, posted September 1st, 2006, 11:29pm at hereI am organizing that meeting on Thursday. It is at 7pm at the Flying Star on Manaul. If anyone has any questions let me know! |
Just confirming the meeting time . . . we're going to come and look into this further . . . it's intriguing
So, it's Thursday, September 7th at 7p.m. at the Flying Star on Menaul, right? |
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| carissanichols |
| Posted on: September 2nd, 2006, 1:53pm |
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I'm genuinely trying to learn more . . . 
Question 1: I'm still unclear as to how this benefits IDEA-NM. So, I understand that they are a non-profit, yes? How do they afford to give $1000 away - is this a grant they're receiving from the govt., etc.? Maybe I don't understand how non-profits work as well as I thought . . . very possible.
Question 2: Is there a minimum age requirement?
Question 3: Are there approved vendors or can we select our own materials with complete freedom? I understand of course, that we can always purchase our own materials with complete freedom; but, perhaps not with IDEA-NM's money.
Thanks for bearing with me!  |
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Reply: 39 - 61 |
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| elmuyloco5 |
| Posted on: September 2nd, 2006, 2:15pm |
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Hi Carissa,
I'll answer your questions.
1. IDEA receives money from the government for each student enrolled, just like a public school. With this money, they provide the allotment for our use as well as the computers and printers. They also use any extra money to run the organization, hire teachers, pay for the admin buildings, and salaries for employees. What a non-profit means is that they aren't making money above and beyond their costs. And if they receive donations, this money isn't going to line someone's pockets, it's put into the program to offer more to everyone involved by way of extra acivities and such.
2. The age requirement to start Kindergarten is to be 5 by, I think, June 1st of the year. I've asked the date previously, but they are trying to find out state law on that one. You can still teach that child, you just won't receive funding for that kid. I don't know if this will work for you, but my kids are close in age, so they get taught together for the most part. I'm getting the texts and workbooks for my 6 year old from IDEA and my 4 year old (turning 5 in Oct.) I will buy the workbooks for. So, I'm still saving money on his education because I have the textbooks, I just have to buy the consumable stuff.
3. If you go to the IDEA site http://idea-nm.org/ , there is a brown banner that goes across the page. Click on "Vendors". This is the current list of their vendors. Some are just companies with only their curriculum, like Singapore, and others are homeschool catalog type vendors with multiple companies of curriculum available. There are also science suppliers, art suppliers, etc. If you don't see something that you want specifically, let us know and IDEA will check them out. If they are non-doctrinal, they can be added to the list. Of course all doctrinal materials are still able to be used, but because it is a federally funded program, IDEA cannot pay for those. You CAN use them, however, and purchase other items you may need with the money instead.
And I should add, you can pick out your curriculum with total freedom. Items that will be paid for must correspond with the learning plan you chose. Which just means that you can't go pick out something crazy that doesn't make sense for what you said you wanted your kid to learn. You can alter the ILP though if you change your mind about something. The list is LOOOOONG and if you really start looking at some of the catalog type vendors, you will find most of the popular curriculums as well as manipulatives, books, etc. to enhance everything you choose. |
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Reply: 40 - 61 |
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| Admin |
| Posted on: September 2nd, 2006, 3:30pm |
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Posts: 1,794
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| FYI about the state's cut-off date for kindergarten: I believe a child must turn 5 on or before (or maybe just before) September 1. I don't think the cutoff is in June. I looked into this a long time ago because Ruby's birthday is in mid-August. If you need me to, I can find this for you on the state's education web site. |
Elizabeth
Mom to Eric (8 ) and Ruby (4.5) |
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Reply: 41 - 61 |
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| Gretchen |
| Posted on: September 2nd, 2006, 3:50pm |
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The state's requirement for kindergarten is: "at least five years of age prior to 12:01am on September 1 of the school year". So, Carissa, if Johnny is not eligible this year, I'll be your "guinea pig" for the IDEA program and tell you all about our experience with it. We have enrolled.
About the meeting on Thursday night -- when I was speaking with Lisa she wanted me to encourage anyone who was comfortable with the decision to go ahead and submit an online enrollment asap. That way, at the meeting on Thursday night, which I think is really meant to be an orientation for new members, she can help you fill our your ILP, and get that submitted so that you can start ordering your curriculum, supplies, computer, etc. If you're not ready to do that, then she invites everyone to come and talk to her and get more information before deciding. |
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| elmuyloco5 |
| Posted on: September 2nd, 2006, 4:29pm |
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Thanks Gretchen,
I wasn't sure as it didn't apply to us as homeschoolers, and they all didn't know because they came here from other states. We had a few dates thrown out there at the meetings, but no one was positive. |
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| ILuvMy3Byz |
| Posted on: September 2nd, 2006, 4:46pm |
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I also want to make the point to people that if you sign up you are not obligated to stay for the whole year. If you signed up right now. And say by December you were like hey this isn't for me, you can withdrawal. And what that means is you would have to return all your non consumable items, like your computer, printer and any hard back books and supplies. Workbooks and paper products that could not be used again would not need to be returned.
I really encourage people to come to the meeting if you can, this is a learning experience for everyone. For the people who have already signed up Lisa will be helping with ILP's and forms. And for those looking for more information about the program the REPs like myself and other's will be there to help get you more detailed information with the help of Lisa.
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