CURIOUS ABOUT HOMESCHOOLING?

Here’s some advice from a 20-year veteran and stay-at-home mom.

By Janet Richardson

Over 20 years ago when we made the decision to take full responsibility for the education of our children, we knew we weren’t really doing anything new, but rather we were choosing a course that was abandoned in favor of public education when compulsory attendance laws were adopted in the early 1900s. Through personal experience and research, we became aware of the value of homeschooling and wholeheartedly accepted the challenge.

Although we believed the United States Constitution guaranteed our right to educate our own children, many state laws were in conflict with that basic right. We (parents) held a deep conviction that we were obligated to provide the very best we could for our children in the way of academic, spiritual and moral education. It was a weighty decision because at that time there was only a handful of people who were homeschooling, and there was limited information and support available. We were part of a very exciting time when parents once again asserted their right to pass on their values and beliefs to their progeny. Our efforts to change our state laws to be in compliance with the U.S. Constitution became part of our children’s education, as we taught them that there are beliefs worth fighting for. Although the requirements vary from state to state, homeschooling is now allowed in all 50 states.

It is amazing to reflect on the changes in homeschooling in the past 20 some years. Our three biological children were homeschooled through high school, went to college and beyond, but we are still homeschooling our two younger adopted children. Thankfully, almost every aspect of homeschooling is much easier now then when we started years ago, but many of the inquiries of those embarking on this adventure have remained the same. People still want to know (1) How do we get started and where do we get curriculum? (2) What about socialization? (3) What are the advantages?

One’s reason to homeschool is directly related to the ability to maintain commitment to stay the course. I encourage parents to have a good reason to homeschool rather than to make the decision based solely on a negative reaction to the educational alternatives. Once you have established your reason for homeschooling, you must determine your purpose. For example, our primary purpose was to pass on a heritage to our children of the values that we hold dear. Establishing your purpose will help you choose a curriculum that will achieve your goal. Once you check the laws in your state to assure compliance, you are ready to select a curriculum.

Each child is unique, so you can tailor the curriculum to each child’s individual needs and interests. Good resources for this selection would be the public library, homeschool support groups in your area (there are usually people within each group who are assigned the responsibility of helping new people) and my favorite resource is a homeschooling convention. These are conducted at various locations throughout the country. They are inexpensive and include workshops on everything from state law to preparing your child for college to starting a small business. Also, publishers and curriculum providers have multimedia displays of their wares. It is extremely helpful to be able to examine the materials firsthand. Author Mary Pride wrote The Big Book of Home Learning, a comprehensive three-volume set, which contains reviews of the most popular curriculum that homeschoolers currently use. I highly recommend her publications.

Any homeschooler will tell you the most often asked question is, “What about socialization?” Then the questioner usually continues with, “How will your child learn to get along in the real world?” It is interesting that children in public schools are in an artificial environment approximately 180 days each year with a group of children who are their same age and have little chance to interact with individuals of other ages or adults. Teachers also report that often laws and policies do not allow for effective consequences or discipline and that the individual interests and learning styles of individual children must be stifled to facilitate the learning of the group as opposed to individualized instruction.

Homeschoolers, however, are well-prepared for the “real world” because they relate regularly with individuals of all ages and backgrounds, but particularly with adults who provide mentoring, hands-on training and individualized instruction to meet each child’s learning style and interests. They may participate in numerous apprenticeship opportunities in the workplace, which gives them firsthand exposure to the “real world.”

Practically, homeschoolers overcome the potential for isolation through involvement with church, as well as the numerous opportunities that homeschoolers have through co-op education and clubs. In our area, homeschooling groups offer debate, martial arts, skiing, football, basketball, track, baseball, drama, music, small business clubs, scouting, roller skating, ice skating, swimming, political involvement clubs and much more. In fact, we found that there are many opportunities for involvement that we had to select carefully those activities that would help our children pursue their individual goals.

I have found that the advantages of homeschooling are numerous. Many studies over the last few years have established the academic excellence of homeschooled children. On the average, they score significantly higher on standardized achievement tests and tend to increase their scores the longer they are taught at home. Each child’s education can be customized to provide motivation for their specific gifts and abilities, and parents are able to provide the loving support they need in the areas of weakness. Also, the one-on-one
model of education is the most efficient way to teach academic subjects, as well as good study habits that better prepare the child for the rigors of college.

I also think another clear advantage is that at home there is less pressure to conform to peer behavior. Parents have more opportunities to pass along their family values rather than the child absorbing the values of others. In general, family relationships are closer as parents and children share common goals and learning experiences. Homeschooling tends to become a lifestyle rather than just an educational choice. They learn to “enjoy” learning, which instills within them the ability and skills to continue learning beyond formal education.

According to Dr. Brian Ray, president of the National Home Education Research Institute, home education appears to be the fastest-growing form of education. There are currently over two million children (K-12) being educated at home. Many famous people from the past were home-educated, such as
Albert Einstein, Orville and Wilbur Wright, Douglas MacArthur, Alexander Graham Bell, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Booker T. Washington, Will Rogers and many others notables. I firmly believe that many of tomorrow’s outstanding citizens are those who are being home-educated today.

Janet Richardson can be reached at janethomeschoolmom@hotmail.com.