by Maggie Jackson

Created on: October 01, 2009

A co-op is normally formed when a group of parents come together to share their expertise with other homeschooled children. The commitment by the parents is an act of generosity and only one of many social opportunities for the children as well as the adults.

Co-ops are beneficial because they provide a social networking as well as an educational opportunity. There are many different types of co-ops and no one model could fit every homeschooling family.

In some communities there may be as many as a dozen different co-ops being offered at various hours, dates and locations. It is important to shop around before making a commitment.

Researching the different co-ops available in the community and finding the one that best meets an individual family will save on much heart ache. This is why it is important to have an understanding of some of the different types of cooperatives parents may form.

Many homeschoolers are very concerned about their religious views being respected within a co-op. This means finding a co-op which best reflects those views should be a priority. Trying to become a part of a group which does not support a family's views can be socially disastrous for the children. This is why it is imperative for the family to research the beliefs and values of each co-op before making a commitment.

There are two basic types of co-ops. There is the co-op which acts as an extension to a religious organization or belief and the co-op which does not cater to any one religious view.

Co-ops also have rules parents are expected to follow. The standard rule for most of these settings is that parents are expected to remain on the premises. This helps ensure the co-op is not being used as a babysitting tool. Other rules may include dress codes, expected behavior and class preparedness.

A typical generic co-op may provide classes in any or all of these subjects: physical education, music, art, foreign language, drama, science, social studies and language arts. The list of class opportunities is only limited by the teaching and expertise ability of the parents. Classes are usually taught in a way which reflects the vision of the cooperative.

The best types of co-ops are the ones formed for the simple pleasure of social interactions between families as well as providing educational opportunities. Children who are having fun while learning will retain more information. Whichever co-op a family chooses, the main reason for attending should be to provide their children with another avenue toward a well rounded education.

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