A recent report in Education News states that, since 1999, the number of children who are homeschooled has increased by 75%. Though homeschooled children represent only 4% of all school-age children nationwide, the number of children whose parents choose to educate them at home rather than a traditional academic setting is growing seven times faster than the number of children enrolling in grades K-12 every year.
As homeschooling has become increasingly popular, common myths that have long been associated with the practice of homeschooling have been debunked.
Any concerns about the quality of education children receive by their parents can be put to rest by the consistently high placement of homeschooled students on standardized assessment exams. Data demonstrates that those who are independently educated generally score between the 65th and 89th percentile on these measures, while those in traditional academic settings average at around the 50th percentile. In addition, achievement gaps between sexes, income levels, or ethnicity—all of which have plagued public schools around the country—do not exist in homeschooling environments."
An increase of 75% is a massive change, that is a lot of children. As a public educator, bus driver and school board member, the change in attitude is impressive. This started over 20 years ago in my later years of service. As a school board member, we did everything in our power to keep our numbers up by offering the best programs with the best teachers we could find. Our programs were so good that Open Enrollment made our numbers surge.
Remember the vouture discussions? Public education brought this distrust and failure upon itself but it is not all its fault, either. Family disintegration started the problem and the recent school shootings have made more parents take on the responsibility of the entire school system. That is something few can manage well. We all pay for public education yet fewer are using it.
The problem I see in home schooling is social contact with their peers. Some of the peers the parents are trying to avoid at an early age, the child will have to deal with when they go out into the world. How do you get a well rounded, socially involved education?
What do you think?
Ed Winkle
As a Christian, home educator, I personally feel God did not ordain the state to educate our children. It is a decision each parent must make for themselves. That is the key, parents should pray, educate themselves, and make the decision that is best for their family, and not be controlled by fear or societal pressures. Socialization is not a concern for me. I feel my children are being socialized with people of all different ages, cultures, and religions in a safe environment, free to talk about issues with me. I am able to guide them through these social encounters. My hope and prayer is that when my children encounter these individuals in the future, they will be confident young men and women, well prepared to defend their beliefs and morals, and become active leaders in their community.
ReplyDeleteSocial interaction and integration would be my concern too, but sometimes it's the opposite, as this Marcel Neergaard Tennessee kid who is homeschooled because of peer bullying at school.
ReplyDeleteHomeschooling makes sense in some rural and wilderness areas, but even then there is usually some form of social interaction via remote Internet schooling. It's rather sad for the kids if there is a public school around. Germany for instance prohibits homeschooling to encourage public (or private) schooling, but then most of Europe does not have remote areas so there's always a school around. I wonder if parents should be tested to decide if they are competent enough for homeschooling... ;)
But you are subject to rules of the state. We all pay taxes to enforce those rules. I admire your stance and what you have actually done to promote it and make it work. On the socialization of home schooled children I have limited experience. My oldest grandson has great social skills. I have always wondered how he would learn in different classrooms like I encountered. He is being educated much differently than I was so it is interesting to compare.
ReplyDeleteI have dealt with other home schooled children that don't have his skills. I am not saying one is better than the other. I still believe in public school which is educating the mainstream of students. I think there could be better alternatives so this is why I posted today's blog, to make us all think.
People are backing off my conception of public school vs home schooling and we won't know the consequence for 18 years or so.
Thank you for your post.
Ed Winkle
Considering that public schools are counted on for indoctrination, I look for there to be more and more resistance from the government against it, though it may be subtle.
ReplyDeleteMy wife works in the public school system in the sped department in an elementary school.
ReplyDeleteI think too much blame gets put on schools. Did you know that if a kid has an IEP the school has to try and met twice with the parent and the parent has to no show twice before they can have the meeting without the parent. It happens more then one would want to think. Shows how much effort those parents put forth. There are too many parents who don't spend enough time helping there kids with home work or have them sit down at the table And do there homework.
It it amazing how some parents have money for tobacco and booze but not for cloths and school supplies for there kids.
There is an outrage when the schools talk about dropping summer school to save money. There are alot of parents who want free day care for another month.
My mom took one night a week collage classes to get her collage degree when I was in elementary school. The nights it was class nigth...just my dad and my sister were home and they were not good homework nights for me.
My wife and I have made the goal to eat supper at 6pm and all set down together at the table and turn the tv off. We go to church on Sunday. I have shut down the planter to go to church and sometimes stop for supper.
We have friends who eat supper when ever or all gathered around the tv or where ever in the house...my in laws let my brother in law run till whenever at night on a school night once he was 15. I only went out on Friday and sat night and hadda be home by 12. I graduated 3rd in my class and i wouldn't of been there if I was running around all the time.
If you don't think the school is doing good enough do extra lessons at home. My son would go to church every day because he likes seeing his friends. The socialization is very important to him and his development.
Why not teach your kid this summer a review of school last year and give them a preview for next year? My son is 2.5 and I sing the abc's every night to him and we work on shapes and counting. Your going to pay the taxes fr the school anyways so you might as well get the free education for your child and then you supplement where the free is lacking.
Very, very good, sincere discussions I appreciate from all of you! It's something all of America needs to do rather than just sending your kid to "school."
ReplyDeleteEd Winkle