frustration with co ops-the entitlement generation (Full Version)

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lifeisgoodwgod -> frustration with co ops-the entitlement generation (7/24/2008 9:40:49 PM)

Just need to vent. I have been "in charge" of coordinating an Apologia Co op for the last 2 years. We have completed General Science, Physical Science and are in the process of beginning Biology. The way our group works is that we split the modules up and each mom teaches their specified module. We have had pretty good cooperation but the Biology is too much for anyone to teach. I have found a perfect teacher that is willing to teach our children. She is on maternity leave from public high school and is a strong Christian. Most of the moms were on board with hiring her and now they are slowly backing out after I have done all this work. I have prayed, made calls, sent e mails, etc. and no one can agree on a meeting place, time, etc. The biggest problem is her fee which is $100 for an entire year covering the entire book. She is willing to take monthly or weekly payments which would come to $3 per week. This is not much. These kids take piano, guitar, horseback riding, play air soft. I know the price for all these things is much higher with no negotiating. Remember I am venting! My husband and I have decided to just pay this teacher to teach our dd and pay whatever she asks because it is a priority to us. I am just frustrated and tired of trying to please people who don't appreciate it. I heard a new term a few months ago called the entitlement generation. A lot of parents feel it is their right for someone else to do all the work. This has taught me a lesson not to look out for others. Take care of myself and my family.....[:@]



shadowspring -> RE: frustration with co ops-the entitlement generation (7/24/2008 10:11:25 PM)

I think you will find a lot of people frustrated with co-ops. But your final solution is my first advice.

Do what's best for your family. You pay the fee.

Open it up to others (above cost) if they want to participate later. Give any extra (never happened yet, but hey, I suppose it could) to the Biology teacher as a parting gift.

This way if anyone participates, it's a bonus for you. And you don't feel burned when people back out, AS THEY ALWAYS DO!



dramagal -> RE: frustration with co ops-the entitlement generation (7/24/2008 11:20:29 PM)

$100 for the year? And they're complaining?

I acknowledge that going from paying zero to paying $100 may seem a lot, but $3 per session is really inexpensive. A co-op that I was part of last year hired a chemistry teacher and we likewise had a few people balking at the price (more than yours!) - but when we compared it to guitar lessons, etc. we realized what a good deal it was.

I'm sure my adding any arguments to the mix won't help, however, since they've heard them all. All I can do is commiserate with you.

Coincidentally, I'll be teaching Apologia biology this year to my son, and to his two best friends. What with the need for a microscope, and dissection materials and slides, it's not a cheap class.



MrsDC -> RE: frustration with co ops-the entitlement generation (7/25/2008 1:40:30 PM)

Entitlement -- I never really understood that word until I became a parent. I remember a college prof who tried to drum the phrase into our brains, but I didn't get it. Now I do.

I'm with you and like Shadow, I'd advise the same thing.

We did our share of co-ops when the kids were little. Very few were really "co-ops". Most were basically 5 moms teaching 100 kids while 20 moms went shopping for the morning or sat in another room relaxing and chatting. Not much "co" in that "op".

For what it's worth, if I lived closer, I'd split the cost with you!!! It sounds like you've found a hidden gem in that biology teacher! Do you think she'd commute to Mexico? We'd feed her! [;)]



Ellie-Mae -> RE: frustration with co ops-the entitlement generation (7/25/2008 4:43:40 PM)

Hey! I was going to try to bribe that teacher to come here. $100 is a steal! I would even be willing to help deliver her baby!

Anyway, how often are you meeting? Around here running around can be hard too.

Just enjoy the class and don't worry about the others as long as she will still teach the class.



csl7037 -> RE: frustration with co ops-the entitlement generation (7/25/2008 5:50:11 PM)

(Disclaimer, I don't homeschool but check in here from time to time because I find interesting ideas and learn a lot...)

I found something similar with a camp dd did this summer. The art teacher and 4th grade language teacher (who will be her teacher this year) did an art/writing intensive from 9-Noon one week this summer - five days for $200....so you're getting a bargain with this biology teacher, IMO! I had so many of my dd's friends' moms say they thought the camp was a great idea but was too expensive. Like you said, these are moms who have their kids in horse camp, tennis camp, zoo camp, dance camps, and on and on and I know how much those cost! But for something they might actually learn from, $200 was too much. I just thought it was weird.



HSmom2 -> RE: frustration with co ops-the entitlement generation (7/25/2008 11:41:11 PM)

Oh, I wish I could get a class for $100.00!!!!!!!!! Any class.

Going rate around here for a science class - $300 ++. A new hs "school" is opening this August. They are offering many options (which is good) and I was interested in one elective class for my daughter. Now, they are not close, it would involve a bit of a drive. The monthly cost didn't seem too high $30.00 per month (but apparently they plan to go 10 months) plus a registration fee, application fee, plus a $100 materials fee, making the total cost over $500.00 for one elective class????
I don't think so!

hsmom2



lifeisgoodwgod -> RE: frustration with co ops-the entitlement generation (7/26/2008 11:24:34 AM)

Thank you so much for your support! This is why I love this forum. You are are so right that this is a real bargain. If our children were in school I am sure we would have to pay a lot for incidentals. (this is what I hear from public school parents). I have had two responses to my offer. One wanted to change locations so I told her if she could get a better location go right ahead and we would be on board. I'm thinking we will have 3 kids in the class which is perfect for me. One other mom and myself are willing to pay more than $100 to make it worth her time. With only 3 kids we can be more flexible if we want to spend more time (or less) on each topic. Thank you all and you have made me feel wonderful with your kind words! [:D]



roligirl -> RE: frustration with co ops-the entitlement generation (7/26/2008 5:18:10 PM)

Another aspect to remember is homeschooling is very independent. Each family has their own direction and agenda. I have been frustrated with support groups from both sides of the coin. As a leader, trying to get a concensus drives you up the wall, you do all this work and then someone wants something different or has issues.

But then on the other hand, as a parent I don't like to be pushed into a group choice that I know doesn't work for my family. I will have to back out or not participate because I know our limits or parameters. It may appear to others that I'm been flaky, but I know I can't do something just to please others.

I have to just remind myself that each family in a support group or co-op is on their own path. Co-op families sort of limit their choices by participating, they are agreeing to certain rules (that is why I can't commit to a co-op).

I concur with the previous posts that you just gotta do what is best for your family.



IonMoon -> RE: frustration with co ops-the entitlement generation (7/27/2008 9:56:07 AM)

OTOH...

If I agreed to be a part of a coop with certain terms (each mom takes and teaches a module) and then the rules were changed (we are paying a teacher to do it)... I would probably be upset myself.

I am not quite sure I understand the situation, either. Is each subject considered a "module"? Or is each subject divided into different modules? How was it decided who would teach each module? How many kids/moms are involved?

Really, those who have already taught a class are being asked to pay twice... they paid by putting in their time and are now being asked to pay cash.

Tara P



cynthia -> RE: frustration with co ops-the entitlement generation (7/27/2008 5:30:59 PM)

Tara, I had to go back and re-read the op to understand your post. You must not have understood the op.

In Apologia, each lesson is a module. There are about 15 modules per book. The OP has been part of a coop where each mom taught a certain number of modules. It worked well for the first two years, but now none of the moms feel able to teach the Biology book, so they looked into finding a teacher who could do it for them. The op found a teacher for the group, but now they are complaining about the price. The price is $100 for the entire year. To say this is cheap is a gross understatement. She is frustrated that she found a great price and the other parents are complaining about it.



TexasMoma -> RE: frustration with co ops-the entitlement generation (7/27/2008 6:31:13 PM)

We participated in a co-op when my son was about 9. After the experience, I decided there was nothing they had to offer that I could not give him myself. Well, there were a few things, like bad behavior, that he might learn but certainly nothing positive. The group had a photographer come take pictures. She said it was THE WORST group of kids she had ever tried to take pictures for.
Obviously, bad experience for me. And, obviously, not all co-ops are a bad deal. But obviously, there are many types of people who allow their children to participate which just goes to show how different priorities people have for their children. Looks like some at your co-op have something different in mind.

We used to coach softball and baseball for a homeschool support group. We ended up becoming the board members for sports, and eventually the sports coordinators. I know EXACTLY the frustration you have felt with the entitlement generation. Everyone wanted their child to play but no one wanted to volunteer. We tackled it for about 5 years before becoming so burned out that we finally gave up sports all together.

Times like these call for stepping back, taking some deep breathes and doing some praying. If no one else ends up in agreement with you, I would be tempted to just hire her as a private tutor for my own kids and pay her myself!



lifeisgoodwgod -> RE: frustration with co ops-the entitlement generation (7/27/2008 10:05:39 PM)

Thanks Cynthia for explaining about the co op. In reference to TexasMoma reply, the group of kids we had for the two years prior were just great. All the children were always prepared for class and we never had any discipline problems. It has been very rewarding to teach these kids and I hate they all will not be able to participate in our class because of the cost. My husband says that they will think about how inexpensive the cost is and want to join at the last minute. If we have room and they can get the supplies together we will include them. We'll see.



Brooke313 -> RE: frustration with co ops-the entitlement generation (7/29/2008 11:57:00 PM)

I am not a big fan of coops. Simply for the soul fact that the closest ones are about 45 miles away and we are very independent in our studies. We are very intentional as well. We participate in many community events and activities and are in the community band, etc. This has worked for us. The reason we homeschool is so that we have time to spend together and so that we can be closer as a family. Coops can keep us so busy that we forget why we started this in the first place.



IonMoon -> RE: frustration with co ops-the entitlement generation (7/31/2008 11:01:20 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: cynthia

Tara, I had to go back and re-read the op to understand your post. You must not have understood the op.

In Apologia, each lesson is a module. There are about 15 modules per book. The OP has been part of a coop where each mom taught a certain number of modules. It worked well for the first two years, but now none of the moms feel able to teach the Biology book, so they looked into finding a teacher who could do it for them. The op found a teacher for the group, but now they are complaining about the price. The price is $100 for the entire year. To say this is cheap is a gross understatement. She is frustrated that she found a great price and the other parents are complaining about it.


That is what I thought, as I said, I am not familiar with the setup of Apologia, but my opinion still stands.

People agreed to one format, the format is now different, and therefore some people probably won't want to conitinue.

I know in the groups I have belonged to- a LOT of people don't like teacher-led classes, but do like parent-led co-ops. It really is a different experience. The flip side of that is if you advertise it around, people who aren't typically interested in co-ops, but like classes might be interested.

No matter how great a "deal" a $100 teacher led class might sound, whether it is worth it or not will depend on perspective. Also- if that is $100/child- would it actually be more for some families? Questions they will ask themselves... Can I accomplish the same goal for free? What will the benefit be to my child? What else could we do with that money. $100 here gets you a family pass for a year to the zoo or science center.

Typical group dynamics... You can do any amount of work to get something going, but that doesn't mean people will be appreciative or will want to participate.

Tara P



Consecrated2God -> RE: frustration with co ops-the entitlement generation (7/31/2008 3:30:21 PM)

quote:

I know in the groups I have belonged to- a LOT of people don't like teacher-led classes, but do like parent-led co-ops. It really is a different experience. The flip side of that is if you advertise it around, people who aren't typically interested in co-ops, but like classes might be interested.


I remember when I was in high school our co-op group hired a public school teacher to teach algebra. A lot of the parents were upset about it. They felt that the co-op was turning into a private school and missing the point of homeschooling. They were even more upset when they asked the algebra teacher to speak at the graduation ceremony. If it were one of the parents teaching it, they wouldn't have had a problem, but the fact he was a public school teacher was a real stumbling block for them.



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