Q: Isn't home schooling a slap in the face to our system of education in America and to dedicated public educators?
A: A few years ago, this question was directed to a home schooler I know at her church after presenting a request to use church facilities for weekly home school network meetings. After a rather heated debate, the group was finally allowed to use the meeting room requested, and the group went on to make a good name for home schoolers.
I am not anti-public schooling, but rather, I am pro-home schooling. I have worked in both public and private schools, and have worked with lots of home schoolers. I have seen positive and negative conditions and results in each type of education.
Most teachers, I think, want to do a good job, no matter where they teach. There are always exceptions, even in home schooling. Certainly, group educators have a difficult job, and most deserve more appreciation and respect than they generally receive. While I'd like to see greater equity in distribution of taxes collected for education (such as vouchers or credits for privately schooled or home schooled students), I still believe that it is the responsibility of citizens to help in providing education for all children. We can see examples in places like Afghanistan where public education was eliminated, particularly for girls, and the devastating consequences that ensued.
I certainly don't think home schooling is unpatriotic; in fact, I appreciate the freedom we have as parents in America to choose the type of education that best fits our families. Many home schoolers I know have a particularly active interest in government, public policy, and public service.
Let me tell you why I am so in favor of home schooling.
1. No one teaches from a philosophical vacuum. A person's personal belief system influences their instruction; content cannot really be divorced from belief or character. I want my Christian faith to be effectively passed on to my children. I believe it's my job to pass it on, and I take that responsibility seriously. Home schooling is the best way for me to make it happen.
2. Children learn best with individual or small group instruction. You won't find a teacher anywhere who will argue with that one! I believe I can provide my kids with the best possible academic base by tailoring a program that fits their learning style, needs and interests.
3. Children can learn better when emotional stress is low. The love and security my kids gain from being at home allows them to enjoy childhood and focus on the academic task at hand.
Many people seem concerned about the socialization of home schooled children. In fact, most home school parents I know deal with the same temptation to over-schedule their children as much as the rest of the world does. Many home school students volunteer in homeless shelters, soup kitchens, churches and schools or on overseas mission trips, and interact regularly with all kinds of people. I've noticed that home school students may have a smaller circle of friends, but have deeper relationships with the friends they do have. Also, I've noticed that while younger home schooled students sometimes seem shy in public, by the time they're in middle school, they're very well equipped to converse with adults or peers effectively.
One great thing about home schooling is that I can more easily encourage positive relationships, and be more participatory in relationships that are less healthy; I can use my parental veto power early if needed. The best teacher my kids could ever have anywhere else will not love my children, or invest more of their time or emotional energy, than my husband and I can.
I love having my kids with me. Like any mom, I enjoy a great cup of coffee and an hour away. I even enjoy a weekend away from time to time. But overall, I wouldn't do it differently. I don't feel like I need to convince the rest of the world to home school too, but I would encourage you to consider it carefully. Don't choose traditional schooling by default; think through the choices you have, and be deliberate about educating your child. Even though there may be things I'm sacrificing, I really don't feel I'm giving up much. Being the one to see the light bulb come on, and to answer questions about important things when they're asked, is priceless.
Am I against public schooling? No. I do have some legitimate concerns about what sometimes happens, or doesn't happen, in public school settings. Parents who want a quality group education for their child need to be prepared to be involved on a regular basis inside the schools they select, whether public or private.
Am I for home schooling? Yes. Do I think everyone should home school? I think very few people should automatically rule it out.
I welcome your comments and thoughts.
Happy Home Schooling,
Mrs. Sherry
