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Umbrella Program Info
Potomac Home Learning Circle offers reviews through The Excelsior Academy, a Maryland approved umbrella program. There are no curriculum, religious education or portfolio requirements. Once enrolled in TEA, you can participate in Potomac Home Learning Circle review sessions, which basically consist of a group of parents getting together to discuss the progress of their children for the year. We will try to schedle our review session in a central location in Maryland, but families wishing to participate would need to be able to travel to this location at least once annually. About The Excelsior Academy The Excelsior Academy is a highly respected home education umbrella program registered with the State of Maryland to provide legal oversight to Maryland home school families. TEA Director, Wendy Bush, a Baltimore native, long-time home school parent/advocate and former teacher, founded one of the first Maryland umbrella programs. TEA gives families freedom to conduct their homeschool in the best way to meet their child's individual needs. TEA is highly supportive of all homeschool methods, from traditional to unschooling; has no religious affiliation requirements; and does not impose requirements beyond the Maryland regulations. ALL REVIEWS ARE HELD IN MARYLAND. The Excelsior Academy offers three enrollment options with family rates starting at $100 per year. In addition, support groups - both formally and informally-organized -- may offer umbrella services to their members through The Excelsior Academy. Also, families with children with special needs may choose to have their review conducted with a reviewer with special education expertise. Family and Group Enrollment Offered: Groups can offer umbrella services to their members through The Excelsior Academy. Open to all Maryland Residents regardless of religious affiliation, county of residence, and homeschool philosophy. Unschoolers and relaxed homeschoolers welcome! TEA also makes no requirements for religious instruction as a condition of enrollment. Portfolios: The Maryland regulations require portfolios from those reviewed by their county. But they do not require portfolios for umbrella reviews. Families who wish to maintain a portfolio and present it at the review may do so, but it is not required. Instead, an Annual Summary Form is required of all families. Starting in 2004-2005, students in grades 9-12 who wish to receive a high school diploma from TEA must enroll at either Option 1 or 2 and present a portfolio of materials/samples that document the course work that will be entered on the high school transcript. High school students who do not want a diploma conferred from TEA may still enroll in Option 3 and not present a portfolio at their review. Year Round Enrollment: New Enrollments are accepted at all times throughout the year. High School: Diplomas, professionally-prepared transcripts, extra-curricular resumes, letters of recommendation, etc. TEA provides expert advice and consultation on high school, college, career exploration, military enlistment, SAT/ACT prep, standardized testing, financial aid, etc. Additional fees may apply for some of these services. Resources: Bi-monthly newsletter, website, and optional parent workshops. Recommendations from TEA families are available upon request. Enrollment Options and Fees: All Fees are Per Family OPTION I: Fee $250. TEA's original enrollment option is for those who want access to on-going support, consultation, and advice. This comprehensive service includes the enrollment conference, the annual review, and four consultations throughout the year. TEA's special education reviewers may be selected to perform the annual review and the consultations. OPTION II: Fee $175. Under this option, the enrollment conference and annual review are conducted by TEA. TEA's special education reviewers may be selected to perform the annual review. On-going consultation is not provided, unless family is enrolled in a TEA participating group which provides this consultation. OPTION III: Fee $100. Under this option, the enrollment conference is conducted by TEA. The annual review is conducted by either (1) The group offering TEA umbrella services to its members, OR (2) If the family is not participating through such a group, the review is conducted by another family enrolled in TEA. TEA will provide a list of enrolled families for this purpose. Materials will be provided to ensure that reviews are conducted in accordance with the Maryland homeschool regulations. How Families Enroll: Families simply complete the Family Enrollment Form and return it to TEA, indicating which option they are selecting and noting the name of their participating group if they are participating through one (Potomac Home Learning Circle). For more information about The Excelsior Academy please contact us or to register, contact: Wendy J. Bush, Executive Director Telephone: 717-338-1896 Email: connect@pobox.com |
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