Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Science online?

I'm interested to hear that Laurel Springs science isn't UC approved. I don't know much about them, but talked with them at one point while looking over options. I teach at the university level with a science PhD and get frustrated at the way certain things are taught that don't really reflect how science is done (it's like science education departments and scientists don't talk with each other enough).

I asked LS if I could modify the class at all if I wanted to add my own labs (because I have a university lab) or if I wanted to tweak the content. I was told definitely not because they have to keep UC approval.

I can understand if they think it would be stressful on the teacher and that the teacher needs to run the class, but it doesn't seem unreasonable to be able to discuss teaching approaches before choosing the class.

So I'll just teach my kids myself (and bring other kids in to enjoy experiments in the lab, etc.). I know we're fortunate to have these resources, but it frustrates me to see the options for kids to learn science.

From what I have been able to determine, NO virtual high school has UC a-g approved science coursework.

Of course, having seen some of those offerings, I can say with confidence; good for them.

Without a fairly involved (and well-educated parent) at the helm day to day, no way does the online science content meet "university prep" standards. In my opinion.

Maybe my standards are just too high-- but I feel the same way about it that the UC regents do, apparently.