Another Voice on School Choice

After reading two very interesting articles by AC producers (Mommy2Lots and Becky Gallop) on homeschooling, I just must weigh in! It is great to have this subject opened up for discussion. Home education has become a growing choice for many families and while some understand and support the choice, others find it in some way a condemnation of public or private schools. As one who has been homeschooling for the past 18 years, and will continue to do so for the next 16 or so, I do have some thoughts to add to the discussion.

The decision to home school in my family was made before I knew anyone else who did it! It had nothing to do with a school system, the teachers in that system or my criticism of them. We lived in a remote area where the local public schools were small and the teacher to student ratio was quite good. The education was quality as far as I knew. There were also a couple of private schools available. The day the idea began to develop in my mind is vividly implanted on my mind. I was sitting on the couch holding my then 17 month of child on my lap. I had been reading to him and teaching him the names of the objects in the book. We had been learning songs together and memorizing passages. I treasured every moment of looking into his eyes and having the joy of teaching him. I was expecting our second child and looked forward to the same type of relationship with him. As I drove into town that morning I saw young children standing on the side of the road waiting for the school bus. It struck me what a sad thing it was for their moms to have to hand over all of those incredible moments to someone else just because their child had reached the age of 6!

I began to talk about the ideas running around in my mind with my husband. We agreed that there was no reason I shouldn't be able to continue to teach our son after he reached what society considered the appropriate age to begin formal education. We discussed this so much that while we didn't know what the law was, we knew that we would find out and we would pursue the idea of education at home. Just a couple of months after our second son's birth my husband was killed in an automobile accident. My boys were then just 20 months and 2 months old. In the weeks to come many decisions had to be made, our family had to move to another state and I had to determine how I would provide for my sons. Always on my mind in the decision process was the knowledge that my husband and I had already made the decision about schooling. I had to find a way to be able to provide for them and home school them!

Through a series of events and the answers to many prayers I was able to remain at home to raise my children. Thus, when the eldest turned 4, I purchased all of the curriculum I could find suitable for a 4 year old and we began. We've never looked back! I graduated this son in 2004 from our home school and he is now a second semester Jr. in college and doing well. My second son, now 20 is a Sophomore. After 5 years of being alone, we were blessed with a second husband/father and have since had 7 more children. I am now in the process of homeschooling these children, ages 14 - 3.

The issue of socialization as it relates to home education is definitely one that is misunderstood by many. There are, as stated by another author, many programs and events available for children to be involved in - no matter where they attend school. While we have and do take advantage of county league sports, church youth groups, camps, etc., we also see a great social benefit for home schooled children. While the 10 year olds who are in the classroom are getting their cues of right, wrong, good, bad, goals, priorities, etc. from other 10 year olds, the home schooled child is learning his values from adults, who in most cases are much wiser in these areas. When a home schooled child is thoughtfully and wisely trained, he usually tends to be the leader when he is among other children. Of course, this is not always the case, but again, as stated in past articles, the opportunity is there if the parent is willing.

The issue of a child being spoiled in a homeschooling situation was also raised. Yes, in today's society many children are spoiled rotten! I dare say, however, that most of them are not home schooled. Many homeschooling families are large - most children in large families are far from spoiled. Giving the attention needed for quality education is a good thing, not spoiling. The children who are spoiled while being home schooled would most likely be spoiled by their parents if they attended a public school as well.

The academic advantages of homeschooling have been made clear to me over the years. Since students in a classroom are taught in a "group" setting - everyone doing the same thing, some being left behind, some needing to move ahead; there is very little a teacher in a classroom setting can do to meet the individual needs of the students. As a homeschooling Mom I have the opportunity to spend more time with the slow learner, and I have the privilege of providing more challenging work to the more gifted student. Everyone is learning at the pace they are comfortable with. Not only that, but the basics are taken care of in less than 1/2 the time and the students are able to pursue their interests, their favorite subjects and even extra classes.

As any dedicated Mom would be, I was nervous upon graduating my first students. Would they be ready for college? First of all, what is the purpose of education? Was I trying to prepare my boys for college? Absolutely not! I was preparing them for LIFE! Just another advantage of home education. I cannot speak for all home schools, but I know that for many the focus is on character, then academics. Surely we all agree that we need more men and women of character in society today. When children are taught values and character by their parents, they do understand the importance of doing their best academically and together it produces quality individuals who will be the parents of the next generation. (On a side note; many home schoolers do score very high in standardized testing.)

God bless teachers in public as well as private schools. Their gifts and qualifications are needed by many who do not or will not choose to home educate their children. The bottom line in all of this is that children are placed in families by God. We, parents, are responsible to figure out what is best for our children and provide that for them. If homeschooling is what is best for my family, and it is, then I must strive to make it the best experience for my children that it can possibly be. If I don't feel qualified or am not willing to make the sacrifices necessary to do that then I must get behind the school system, get involved and know exactly what is going on with my children each day. That IS my responsibility - regardless of school choice.