The Foreign Service Journal, June 2013

98 JUNE 2013 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT ing, and the education allowance sup- ports this (see Department of State Stan- dardized Regulations 277.3). The children of some Foreign Service families who have taken this option do extremely well in academic achievement and development of talents, to the benefit of their college applications. Some students follow a prepared curriculum that is packaged by a home- schooling company. Others cobble together their own program by combining classes and courses from different home- schooling curricula. The State Department regulation states that the course of study must be either accredited or approved by the child’s home school district in the United States. Other families create a hybrid model that combines homeschooling with participation in a few classes or activi- ties at the school at post. Whether or not the school at post will agree to such a hybrid arrangement must be determined beforehand. Some families have done this successfully to help their children with special learning needs. Distance learning . The line between homeschooling and distance learning and online schools is starting to blur. School districts themselves offer classes online, and there are also distance learning schools that offer a full array of classes for the online student. These might include virtual academies such as Laurel Springs or K12, and even schools for the gifted student such as EPGY, offered through Stanford University. Students can either enroll for the entire school year or for a semester online, or they can take a single class that may not be offered in their school overseas. Distance learning is making the world of educa- tional opportunities accessible from the comfort of one’s home. Boarding schools. Boarding schools are often a wonderful option for students who need consistency in the curriculum, friends and activities to thrive. Many posts around the world simply do not offer the high school program that will meet a student’s educational needs. In those situations, a boarding school can be the solution. There are all kinds of schools, each with a different focus, culture and niche. They can be small, medium or large, and can focus on the arts, a sport or a certain element of academics. Students with learning differences might also thrive more in the supportive atmosphere of a school with a specialized program to address their needs. Therapeutic schools and programs. Adolescence can be a difficult and chal- lenging time for most students, but some young people struggle more than others with the normal trajectory of develop- ment. Many teenagers today are at risk for mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, cutting, suicidal thoughts, substance use, oppositional behavior and other self-harming behav- iors. Studies indicate that students with ADHD and learning differences can be especially at risk. It can be extremely difficult to find the right level of mental health or counseling support at many posts around the world. Therefore, the special education allow- The special education allowance also supports therapeutic schools and programs as an option for families. Continued from p.94