Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions that we receive from parents interested in the Ad-Duha program.
About Home Schooling in General:
About Ad-Duha:
About the Calvert Curriculum:
Personal Concerns:
Answers:
We send all the books, materials, and lesson plans that your child will need for the year to your home. The student completes the assigned lessons as planned out in the lesson manuals and then you use the grading sheets (included in the manual) to grade your child's performance.
Ad-Duha is based in Baltimore, Md. However, students can participate in the program from any state in the US, Canada and even overseas, because we are a home-school program and we send all the books and materials directly to your home.
Why doesn't Ad-Duha have a phone number I can call?
Ad-Duha does not maintain a public phone line due to the expenses involved. The cost of a full time secretary, long-distance phone service, etc. can run into the tens of thousands per year. Our goal is to provide parents with quality curriculum, at the lowest possible price, and to offer it worldwide. In order to do this we have decided to conduct the majority of communication online in order to lower overhead cost thus lowering overall prices. We have found over the years that e-mail is the most time and cost effective method of communication.
Ad-Duha's programs are designed to be completed in 9-10 months, however each course has a maximum time limit of 12 months (extensions can be granted upon request).
When do I purchase curriculum materials?
You can purchase courses anytime during the year. Because your child will be working on his own you can order when he is ready for each course level. We offer ordering as well to allow parents to purchase course materials quickly and easily 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
What if there is something my child does not understand, how can they get help?
Our teachers are available by phone, fax, e-mail, and standard mail to help with any difficulties your child may be having. We also monitor your child's progress through the lesson assessments and if we see that there is a problem we will contact you and your child to clarify the issue.
Can my child work at his/her own pace (i.e. complete courses early or take more time if needed)?
Students can complete the courses at their own speed. Although we provide a recommended schedule, if students are able to work ahead that is allowed and if they need more time that is allowed also. The courses are designed to be completed within a 10-month period, however the student has an extra two months during the summer in which to complete any work that was not completed during the regular school year.
Is Ad-Duha associated with a particular organization or masjid?
No we are not associated with any particular organization or masjid. Ad-Duha is an independent institute created to meet the needs of students in the US who may not have Islamic School options to meet their needs in the particular community where they live.
What about socialization, how will my child learn to interact with others?
Socialization needs can be met by involving your child in the local masjid youth programs or in extracurricular sports and activities in your area. Home schooled children do not have any problems socializing with others, in fact most home-schooled children, because they spend a large amount of their time with parents and older siblings, tend to be much more mature, independent, self-motivated, and less dependent on peer approval. Socialization is a matter of "quality not quantity".
How can I teach my child if I am not a teacher, especially in the upper grades?
The lesson manuals for all grade levels give detailed information on how to introduce key lesson objectives, reinforcement activities, and assessment options. In the younger grades, parents need only follow the instructions in order to carry out a professional lesson plan with their child. As for the upper grades, our program is designed so that from Level G (6th grade) on students should not need the assistance of their parents to complete their assignments. All lecture notes and guidance from the teacher are included in the lesson materials. The student needs only to read the discussion and carry out the activities. Of course if there are subjects that a student still has problems with, our teachers can be reached by e-mail to discuss the problem and help develop solutions.
How long has Ad-Duha been around?
Ad-Duha officially opened its programs in April of 2003 in response to the needs of the Muslim Community in America that lacked a consistent Islamic Educational program from Pre-K to 12th grade in every state. The programs main focus was to give parents an Islamic Schooling option no matter where they live and no matter which grade levels their children needed.
What if I work full-time, how can I home school?
If your child is above sixth grade it is possible for your child to stay home and do the work on their own and then you can review their work when you come home from work. Other options are to enter students in daytime Hifz programs (Qur'an memorization) at the local masjid that run during normal school hours and then do the home schooling in the evening with your child. Still other families find it more convenient to find other families that home school, and all the students meet at one house where there is a parent present during the day to supervise the children. This can be a particularly good option for very young children, who will benefit from socializing with others.
Is home school really better than public school?
Academically home-schoolers score an average of 15-30% higher on standardized tests than public school students. Socially home-schooled children are more mature, independent, and self-assured as compared with public or privately schooled students. Also students are better prepared for college and the workplace, and accomplish much more in their deen because they are more self-motivated and disciplined when it comes to accomplishing tasks and managing their time.
Yes, insha-Allah. Almost 2 million families all over America are successfully home schooling their children, and this number is growing by 17% every year. Click here to read more about home school success stories. This link will take you to the Home School Legal Defense Association. They have a variety of articles on the benefits of home school.
What if I don't know Arabic, how will I teach my child?
We offer something no other school does, Arabic Course Materials Designed for Non-Arabic Speaking Families. In fact when parents are supervising the program for their children they will be learning too, insha-Allah Each Arabic course material up to Level G is accompanied by software and/or audio tapes that will teach students (and parents) correct pronunciation.
Is home school comparable to public or private school?
Home school is equal to and in many cases better than public or private school. Students who graduate from home school programs are increasingly sought out by universities due to the fact that they tend to do better in the university setting and are more likely to complete the degree program than their peers. Also home school offers students a more wholesome environment in which to study, devoid of peer pressure, drugs, sex, alcohol, and violence that is common in both public and private schools.
Is this curriculum completely Islamic (written by Muslims and using Muslim sources?
Our Islamic Studies curriculum is completely Islamic. It is written by Muslims using Muslim sources, and the books and supplies are bought from Muslim companies.
Isn't Calvert School (one of your recommended curriculum providers) known for being anti-Islamic?
In the past there was a textbook that Calvert used (A Child's History of the World) which had derogatory remarks about Islam and Muslims. However this text has been revised, the offensive material removed, and new text inserted that is not offensive to Muslims. We have personally reviewed the changes and find nothing objectionable in the current text.
What about the parts of the Calvert Curriculum that we as Muslims do not want to complete (i.e music or sculpture)?
For any curriculum (including Calvert) to be accredited it must include information on the arts, mythology, etc. However if you inform Calvert when there is an assignment that you do not want to complete, in most cases you will not have to complete it or will be given an alternate assignment (if you are enrolled in the ATS program). If you have not enrolled in the ATS service you can choose to skip any assignment that you feel uncomfortable with without having to get permission to do so.
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