Your thoughts on homeschooling

We home schooled our three children, and though I was an education major in college, I didn’t find what I learned there to be helpful in teaching our children. Our oldest is married and has a family–she is a successful piano teacher and plans to home school. Our middle child is married, has a family–he is a successful financial advisor and his wife is home schooling their children. Our youngest child is married and has completed his bachelor’s degree from Moody Bible College through independent home study, and has been accepted to attend seminary in the fall. He and his wife hope to have a family and will home school their children as well. They are all happy, God-honoring adults who are very well adjusted. They have friends, literally from around the world, because of the things they were able to do as students. They didn’t have to go through public school teachings on homosexuality, worry about STDS, school shootings, bullying, or drug and alcohol abuse. They passed each year of study without testing because I watched their progress every day–no student was left behind!! I thank God for being able to home school in our great state!!

Home schooling can be good and bad. My brother home schools his kids and it is a good thing as they are the type that would get bullied, etc.
I think it depends on the person who is going to do the schooling, I could not do it but have no problem with someone who does.
Down the street from my house it a family with 6 kids that home schools and they are very nice kids.

One of the most important items in homeschooling is the one on one teaching. If your child is having a problem dealing with a certain subject you can give more attention to the one subject. In public schools teacher’s have more than 18 children to teach in their classrooms. They must teach to the lowest level of the 18 students thus not challenging the top individuals in the class. One on one instruction is impossible.
In the article in today’s paper (March 14) socialization was listed as a con. My son is homeschooled and all his friends go to public school. They come over and play with him after school. Lack of socialization would be the parents fault in 99% of the situations.
When you home school you do not have to worry about drugs, alcohol, gang activity, etc. Today’s paper (March 14, 2008) had an article about a stabbing of a student in a hall way of a public school. The article goes on to state that students are afraid to go back to school. Home schooling prevents this type of problem. It, homeschooling, is about learning not worrying about being in school. Parent also take comfort in knowing that their children will not be shot while being educated in the homeschool environment.
Another advantage to homeschooling is that the students can take trips and see the actual areas, paintings, mountain ranges, etc. that they are studying. School trips can coinside with vacations and be tremendous learning experiences.
Homeschoolers do not have to take a long summer vacation so that it takes the first month of school to refresh their minds of what was learned the previous year.
Homeschooling is not for everyone however, the parents who decide to homeschool should be allowed to do so without big brother watching over their shoulder.

As a certified teacher with fifteen years of experience in Oklahoma public schools, I have witnessed the good, the bad, and the ugly in our current education system. I have chosen to homeschool my children, (one sixth grader, one third grader) in order to give them a more well-rounded education which includes the teaching of our Catholic faith. I can honestly say that my concerns about their social development and relationships with children of other racial backgrounds were unfounded. My daughters are very active in a local dance studio where they have been able to maintain relationships with students not only from their previous school, but from other local schools as well. They are also very active in our local parish which is diverse in ethnicities. I can also attest to the fact that their reading skills, including comprehension, have flourished as this is the first time that either daughter has had extensive instruction in vocabulary development. We have been able to identify and work on their areas of weakness which has and would continue to have gone undetected in our public school system. We do not have the distraction of discipline problems that the public school students have to endure. I keep all attendance records and grading in order to keep a complete documentation of their progress. While I maintain a school calendar that is consistant with the public school calendar, I have the flexibility to enrich their curriculum without the constraints that public schools encounter. Also, my children are able to enhance a regular curriculum with a rich education in music and art, two areas that are often neglected in pubic schools. I can honestly say that our decision to homeschool our children was the best decision we have ever made.

I am a strong supporter of homeschooling. My two daughters were homeschooled for several years. My intend was not that. We did the usual route of public school and private school. Throughout the course of those eduaction years, we saw a decline in teaching, mainly in the middle and high school levels. As with most parents, we felt it our duty to see that our daughters got as best of an education we could offer them. Our journey began back when homeschooling in OK was not a common venture to take. In the late 80’s and early 90’s, which is when we did it, there were more questions and raised eyebrows over the issue. Today, I am proud to say that there is a strong network of homeschoolers in OK. They need our support. This group is not an enemy to public schooling. These parents have simply chosen to educate their children in a different way. These parents are the backbone of education. They are committed to seeing that their children have the opportunity to develop their minds, explore, dare to think outside the box. In a typical school setting, these parents would be the ones interested in their child’s performance, do all the teacher/child conferences, be the homeroom parent, and being involved in misc. activities. But, due to various atmospheres within a school setting, violence, peer issues, and sometimes teachings that might be offence to them, they have chosen to select an alternate method. Yes, this homeschooling is a different lifestyle. Those years our family did it, we got tired, I wished that I could pack up my daughters and send them off to school so I could have a break, have the days that my other peer mothers had. But, I can say, that I don’t regret the overall outcome. There are a mixture of pros and cons. These parents who are involved in this lifestyle, need our support both politically, and in the community. The public eduation sector see them as a threat. How can we see a group of people as a threat, when their only goal is to educate a young mind who can later as an adult perform and contribute to society in a positive manner. Isn’t that the attitude the public education should take as well?? This ruling in CA is not about questioning the ability of parents to teach their kids. The courts don’t care about that. If they did, the whole education system nationwide would be better. It is a control issue. Courts on various topics, have and are taking away our rights. It is each parents right and duty, to educate their child and to see that they can grow and develop into a well adjusted adult. Each parent should have the right to chose how they do that. Whether by public, private, or homeschooling. Each child learns in his or her way. To use the avenue and method best for that child, should be the ultimate goal of a parent. Granted, there is always an isolated story of a child not getting the schooling they need. Should a well-intended group of concerned parents, be punished because there may be these isolated situations?? It is the age old story of a whole class getting punished because of a few troublemakers. I now have grandchildren in school. To see them flourish and are happy, makes me happy. But, should there come a time they need a change in education, I will support that too. All of us, in various positions of careers, must see that a child’s mind is a precious tool for the future. As is said in the Bible, a nation was destroyed for lack of knowledge. So it still can be today. If a generation of children are not educated properly, taught to develop and assume adult behavior, a nation will weaken. From the Home to the Courts, this should be the main issue. Lest we forget, these young minds will someday move into areas of economy, education, politics, etc. They must be prepared.

The majority of homeschoolers have jeopardized their children’s opportunity to have good options in their adult life. They love their children very much – no doubt about it, but unfortunately this decision is usually affected by selfish reasons.

There are exceptions: homeschoolers who actually have a teaching degree, or at least some teaching background, and happen to live in a bad public school district.

This is serious, people. If you have no other options, or have a truly special-needs child, or wish to stunt your children’s future, homeschooling is a great idea; otherwise, usually not in your children’s best interest.

Virtually all homeschooling parents share the same reasoning: the (usually mistaken) belief they’ll be more effective teachers than those in the public school system; a wish to limit their children’s exposure to the evils of meeting different people; the pitfalls of today’s youth culture, etc. And most homeschooling parents justify the end-result in the same manner: “My children turned out okay…”

They didn’t go to college thus hold menial jobs, have little promise of improving their life beyond what they have at the age of 18, but they “turned out okay”. Well they could’ve been more than ‘okay’.

If a homeschooled young adult wishes to further his/her education by attending a real college, they’re faced with a huge (sometimes insurmountable) uphill battle. Most homeschooled children never go to college (a sad fact) and are somewhat socially handicapped – which is fine if they stay in the confines of their home and church for the rest of their lives. I suppose that’s fine but what if… as adults… they want something more out of life? Or something different?

Homeschoolers seem to come out of the woodwork justifying their decision to homeschool. It’s obviously an emotional issue, usually involving religion in one way or another.

I believe parents who make that decision for their children often do not take into account (or simply don’t realize) that one day, their babies will be adults. But they will, and will actually have minds of their own!

Once they reach adult age and face the harrowing prospect of detachment from their overprotective parents to live in the real world, they’re years behind the social curve and as a result often become withdrawn, further limiting their ability to pursue whatever it is they wish they could do with their life. They’re happy kids, unhappy adults. Iv’e seen it happen over and over and over. Almost every day. Which is why I sound a little cynical.. but it’s very sad to see bright kids whose well-meaning yet overly-idealistic parents chopped their future off at the knees.

If you’re a parent considering homeschooling and are afraid of the problems faced by youth in today’s public schools: you obviously care alot about your children and are good parents. If you continue to be good parents and show love, patience, and support your children, they will shine in school and avoid the pitfalls. Give your children the chance to grow into the world, and avoid the temptation to create their world for them.

this might be the only to have an American school in this country again

In response to Bruce, who has many firmly held, but statistically unsupported opinions and no verifiable facts, here are some statistics regarding home education in the United States. This information, and much more, may be found at http://www.nheri.org.

Dr. Patricia Lines said that home education families “… have not turned their backs on the broader social contract as understood at the time of the Founding [of America]. Like the Antifederalists, these homeschoolers are asserting their historic individual rights so that they may form more meaningful bonds with family and community. In doing so, they are not abdicating from the American agreement. To the contrary, they are affirming it.

Home educating families are not dependent on public, tax-funded resources – they likely save American taxpayers over $10 billion per year.

Dr. Brian Ray, in the most in-depth nationwide study on home education across the United States, collected data on 5,402 students from 1,657 families. Homeschool students’ academic achievement, on average, was significantly above that of public-school students. In addition, the home educated did well even if their parents were not certified teachers and if the state did not highly regulate homeschooling.

Home educators are able to be flexible and tailor or customize the curriculum to the needs of each child.

In study after study, the home educated score better, on average, than those in conventional state-run schools

For learning disabled students, there are higher rates of academic engaged time in homeschooling and greater academic gains made by the home educated. Parents, even without special education training, provide powerful instructional environments at home.

Studying actual observed behavior, Dr. Shyers (1992) found the home educated have significantly lower problem behavior scores than do their conventional school agemates. Multiple studies show that the home educated have positive self-concepts. Homeschool students are regularly engaged in field trips, scouting, 4-H, and community volunteer work, and their parents (i.e., their main role models) are significantly more civically involved than are public school parents.

The Home Educated as Adults

Regarding the critical thinking skills of college students, researchers found no significant differences among high school graduates of private schools, public schools, and homeschooling.

A study of adults who were home educated found that none were unemployed and none were on welfare, 94% said home education prepared them to be independent persons, 79% said it helped them interact with individuals from different levels of society, and they strongly supported the home education method.

I’m going to play “devil’s advocate” here because I’m curious about what you all have to say. Homeschooled children often are part of financially stable, two-parent households that emphasize the importance of education – factors that contribute to the successes of above-average students in public schools, too. Therefore, does the idea of cause and effect really work for the statistics that aim to show homeschoolers’ successes?

Dana, thank you for those facts based in real data and research.

Bruce, I am wondering what your statements are based on? Could you share your sources with us?

In response to Bruce the following is provided: Home school students score significantly higher than their public and private school counterparts academically. Homeschool students do exceptionally well when compared with the nationwide average in every subject and at every grade level of the ITBS and TAP batteries. Studies also show homeschoolers mature and better socialized than those sent to public and private schools. Dr. John Wesley Taylor’s study revealed that self-concept of home school students was significantly higher than that of public school students for the global and all six subscales of the Piers-Harris Concept Scale. The Galloway-Sutton Study showed that from five success indicators (academic, cognitive, spiritual, affective-social and psychomotor), comparing with public and private schooled student, “in every success category except pyschomotor, the home school graduates excelled above the other students.”
Home schooled 8th graders are performing approximately four grades above the national average.
Homeschooling families average spending $450.00.
Approximately 70% of homeschoolers attend religious services.
On standardized testing, homeschoolers average in the 87 percentile, while public school peers average in the 61 percentile in reading (white).
On standardized testing, homeschoolers average in the 87 percentile, while public school peers average in the 49 percentile in reading (minority).
Home schooled students are better equipped for college since they have a better understanding of study habits, test taking and respect for authority.
I am not sure where Bruce obtained his statistics on college however, more homeschooled children go on to college than the average for public school. As for real college, Yale, Harvard, Princeton, and all the Ivy League colleges have home schooled students attending.
If you are thinking of homeschooling read as much as you can, talk to people who are homeschooling their children, ask public and private school teachers what they think. The only way you will know for sure if it is right for your children is find out all the information you can. Do not take one persons word either pro or con about home schooling.

Wendy,

Often, but not exclusively, or even primarily, homeschooled students fall into the family demographic you describe. The website I cited, http://www.nheri.org, has statistics relating to income level and home education.

Anecdotally, I am personally acquainted with Oklahoma homeschooling families whose station would be described as anything but financially stable, some where there has been death or divorce and the parent is working from home while teaching the children, or working a shift-type job and sharing childcare duties with friends and extended family members. Certainly, the level of sacrifice required in these circumstances far exceeds the norm in the home education community, but it does exist.

Naturally, you would be hard-pressed to identify a homeschooling family that did NOT place a high value on child training. For some families, the focus is academic, for others it is discipleship and character training. Most families highly esteem all of the above and strive continually to equip their children fulfill their potential in every area of life. A lofty goal to be sure, but one that is being achieved, by and large, more commonly in the homeschool community than in any other educational subset (again, NHERI would have the statistics here).

Thank you for posing those thoughtful questions. I’ll be interested in others’ responses.

I don’t worry about school shootings.
Violence,
or drugs.
I sometimes school the children in my p.j.’s over coffee.
Without having showered.
I never understood the argument of the kids not being “socialized”. They talk with Senators, Statesmen, the children at 4-H, co-ops and classes. Their in your community volunteering,logging in hours with Habatit For Humanity, at your clinics,and on your campuses. They converse with toddlers, the elderly and their peers.
For 17 years I’ve taught-(without so much as a teaching certificate.)
And they have thrived.
I taught them to say mama,and to tie a shoe.I taught them the times tables and American History. Economics, science, and algebra. My community reached in and helped me teach,where I could not.
My eldest daughter has dreams of practicing in your medical field (14 years old) taking classes at your local college. My youngest is pursuing a Zoology degree (at 12 ) and has her sights at becomming the next great Veterinary Surgeon. My 17 year old is deciding between an offer to West Point, or a career within your local police force.The younger two (ages 1 & 5 ) have yet to decide.
I might make $23,000.00 this year.
Working full time.
We are not a “religious” family.
I homeschool because I care about my childrens education. I care about where they spend the majority of thier time. I have an interest about the curriculum being taught to them. I care about not only what goes in,but what comes out.

First of all, thank-you, Dana, and others for your support and excellent information.

I too, would like to know where Bruce found his sources for the comments he made. Obviously, he have been sadly misinformed.

Here are my responses to a few of his observations.

His comment:
“They didn’t go to college thus hold menial jobs, have little promise of improving their life beyond what they have at the age of 18, but they “turned out okay”. Well they could’ve been more than ‘okay’.”

My response:
What do you consider menial jobs? I can show you doctors, lawyers, congressmen, legislators, business owners, farmers, and stay-at-home moms, just to mention a few, who were home educated and are very successful. Going to college does not make one a success. Dr. Ray’s studies on home educated adults shows that these adults become more productive in owning and operating their own business, are more likely to vote and be involved in civic activities, and stay in the same career longer than those that were educated in a government school.

As for settling for, “just okay,” I think that you will find that the majority of homeschool parents will not settle for mediocrity. We strive for excellence not only in education, but in everything we do.

His comment:
“If a homeschooled young adult wishes to further his/her education by attending a real college, they’re faced with a huge (sometimes insurmountable) uphill battle. Most homeschooled children never go to college (a sad fact) and are somewhat socially handicapped – which is fine if they stay in the confines of their home and church for the rest of their lives. I suppose that’s fine but what if… as adults… they want something more out of life? Or something different?”

My response:
What do you consider a “real college?” OU, OSU, SWOSU, OWU, SNU, and a plethora of other colleges within the state are actually seeking out home educated students. Many, with full-ride scholarships. Colleges and universities are seeking out home educated students and recruiting them. Dr. Ray’s statistics have shown that more home educated students will complete their college education than those coming from a government school setting. This is why the universities are seeking them out. They have “stick-to-it-tivness” and are in it for the long-haul. There is not “uphill battle,” for home educated students who choose to attend a university…unless it is in trying to decide which university one will accept the invitation to.

As to, “most homeschooled children never go to college (a sad fact),” may have been true in the past, but is not something that can be quoted as a fact today. Again, does college make one a success? Comparatively, if we took the number of government school students that did not go on to college and put those numbers up against the number of home educated students that did not go to college, the percentages would show that overall, more home educated students go on to further their education on a college level than those from a public institution. And, as stated above, will stay in for completion.

I have three children. Two have graduated from high school through home education. The third will be a senior this fall. Both graduates attend a university within the state. One is a presidential ambassador for the school, is the assistant to the executive assistant to the president of the university, and will graduate with honors next spring. The other is a freshman and is on the baseball team. However, he had the maturity to realize that baseball was not what he went to college for and will not be playing next year. His quote was,”It is fun to do what you want to do for a while, but then you realize it is time to do what you have to do.” Now, how many college freshmen have the maturity and responsibility to make that decision on their own?
The third child doesn’t know if she wants to go to college and that is ok. As a parent, I can not force my child into a mold in which she does not fit. That is the whole beauty of home education. We don’t “cookie cut” our kids. We train them in their strengths and abilities, not ours. We help them fulfill their purpose and walk in life.

The second part of your above comment was quite humorous, actually, “and are somewhat socially handicapped – which is fine if they stay in the confines of their home and church for the rest of their lives.”
Do you realize that this week, there are thousands of “socially handicapped” home educated students in Oklahoma City for the National Christian Homeschool Basketball Tournament? Now, if these thousands of students are socially handicapped, how did they ever manage to make it on a basketball team?
Home educated students have more opportunities for socialization than anyone in any other type of educational system. Many go to church at least two times a week, are involved in some form of support group that meets weekly, do community service projects in nursing homes, hospitals, day care centers, the State Capitol, and yes, even public schools.
We take field trips and learn hands on what can’t be taught in a classroom setting.
We communicate daily with people from all age groups, social levels, and ethnic backgrounds. We do not limit our children to only those of their own age, they have the social skills to communicate with anyone of any age on an intelligent level. They are not afraid to look someone in the eye and shake his hand.
Yes, you will find in home educated children, those that are, by personality, very shy or quiet. But, these kids would be shy and quiet regardless of their method of education. How many public educated children do you know that are the same way, but we don’t say they are “socially handicapped” because they go to public school.
Many are involved in sports, choir, band, and drama. Oklahoma City alone has several homeschool basketball teams, volleyball teams, soccer teams, baseball teams, softball teams, track teams, and swimming teams. Not to mention the choir (which, BTW, wins national recognition every year), bands, and orchestras (which many pubic schools have cut due to lack of funds).
We have drama, present dinner theaters, and perform for nursing homes, assisted living centers, and even elementary schools.
We do all this and still manage to include a well-rounded course of school studies.
The vast majority of home educated students do not “stay in the confines of their home and church for the rest of their lives”

His comment:
“I believe parents who make that decision for their children often do not take into account (or simply don’t realize) that one day, their babies will be adults. But they will, and will actually have minds of their own!”

My response:
Most home educated students have been trained to think for themselves, act responsibly, make wise decisions, manage their finances, and be an adult. We want our children to, “actually have minds of their own!” We don’t raise and train babies, we train adults.

Finally, the first comment made was, “The majority of homeschoolers have jeopardized their children’s opportunity to have good options in their adult life. They love their children very much – no doubt about it, but unfortunately this decision is usually affected by selfish reasons.”

My response:
The old saying, “Don’t judge a person until you have walked a mile in his shoes” is so appropriate here. Observations mean nothing, experience is everything.
Yes, we love our children very much. Enough to sacrifice everything for them. I sold a successful business, leaving a career to stay home and educate my children. I know many others with professional “degrees” that have done the same thing. Doctors, teachers, lawyers, therapists, and the list could go on.
Our decisions to homeschool come from anything but, “selfish reasons.”
We are not jeopardizing our kids as Bruce would have you believe, we are doing just the opposite. We are providing opportunities for them to blossom into the adult inside them. We give them more viable options than they would ever find available in a government school setting.
If a child in a government school wants to be a Marine Biologist, will the school provide a personalized plan of study? Will they set up job shadowing opportunities and search for curriculum that will fit only the needs of that one student? Will the teachers be able to take the time to give individualized and intense study in micro-organisms? Can that same teacher take the day off to take the student 300 miles to visit an aquarium and visit with a specialist that is there for the week?
If a child in a government school setting aspires to be a stay-at-home mom and have a family, will the school provide special classes just for her? Sure, she can take a Home-Ec, or Family living class, but will that really teach her how to be a wife and mother? One semester will not teach a person how to run a home. Daily, life experience will. In real life, you can’t change gears when the bell rings. A student has to learn to multi-task and have the ability to think about, manage and control more than one situation or subject at a time.
Along with the core subjects, a home educated student has the opportunity to supplement their curriculum with real life experience. When studying Biology, instead of just reading about it we can experience it. How many public school students, when going through the chapter on human reproduction and birth are able to actually job shadow at a hospital and spend several days in the OB/GYN unit and actually get to help deliver a stranger’s baby?

Jeopardized opportunities? Socially handicapped? Mediocre? Selfish parents? I don’t think so. If you are truly thinking about homeschooling, do your research. Find out for yourself. Spend a day, spend several days with a homeschool family. I think you will see over and over and over again that the typical homeschool family is well rounded, productive, socialized, and a great asset to society.

Cindy Nicolai ,
I couldn’t of said it better myself !!! Kudos.

Why are home schooled children and public school children always pitted against each other? If your child plays baseball and your neighbor’s child plays football does that mean they are in competition with each other? They are both into sports but choose to play on different types of fields. The same is true of education. We are all involved in education we simply have chosen different playing fields. I don’t look down my nose at parents who choose the public school playing field for their children and I expect the same respect from them.
Home school parents often worry that our children aren’t getting all they need to make them successful adults and constantly add things to “round out” their education. I have home schooled my four children from day one and they are expected to make perfect scores on every paper. We don’t move on to the next lesson until that one is mastered. This is true “no child left behind”.
My oldest son is a Freshman in high school and recently took the state mandated reading test to take drivers education. He and I were very pleased when he scored on a college Freshman level. Since he was three, he has loved working with animals and is working towards becoming a Vet. He already knows what grades he needs to make on his ACT to earn a scholarship to OSU. He is also involved in a weekly drama club and will be performing in a three night dinner theater. He takes a weekly writing class and has learned to write a resume and term paper. He is in volleyball and learning to play a sax in band. He knows how to give a firm handshake and speak his name clearly. He can converse on topics such as the presidential campaign. He knows the names of his Rep and Senator and has actually met and talked to them while at the capitol for the Future Statesman Program.
I am not an isolated case. I can introduce you to several hundred home school parents who feel the same way about their children’s education. And all of this is at our own expense. We are not trying to “selfishly” confine our children to our environment. We simply want them to get an education without having to worry about drugs, sex, name brand clothes, gangs and peer pressure.

Rasonja makes a valid point. In my experience, the comparisons routinely originate with the parents of children in government education, engendering defensive postures on the part of home educators. Ideally, all parents would make thoughtful, well-founded decisions regarding all areas of child training. This would enable them to proceed with confidence in their chosen methods without feeling the need to attack or defend, and to be a source of encouragement for their friends and relatives who make different child training decisions.

Maybe someday.

I couldn’t agree more with Cindy and RaSonja! We currently homeschool both our children. Our oldest will be in 10th grade and the youngest will be a 5th grader next fall. We began our homeschool journey six years ago. It was out of necessity over a serious health issue that my daughter had. She was allergic to the mold in the old worn out, underground, elementary school she attended. Actually I can say with full assurance that the Lord used that illness to bring our family down the path of homechooling. You see, I was once like Bruce-ignorant! Ignorant of what homeschooling was really all about. You can say my husband and I have come full circle regarding homeschooling. We are all for it and can see the positive benefits academically, socially and in every other way also. The Lord has laid it upon our hearts to place our oldest in public school next year. You know…… it is kind of hard to let go and do that. I love having her around. Not sure why or what the Lord has in store for our family this next fall. But we’ll be obedient and UNSELFISH as we can be and place her back in public ed. My ladies Bible study class at church has prayed that she will be salt and light in school next year. Homeschooling them both has given us more opportunities to ground them in their faith and let them figure out why they believe what they believe. In doing so we believe she will be very grounded in her morals and faith. That is something that they will carry with them thru the years.

Another issue we face is our awesome little guy is AD/HD. I know without a doubt that if he were in public ed. that he would be considered a handful and probably given and IEP or special ed. I am thankful those programs are available for kids. But our son doesn’t need it. With the teacher / student ratio the way it is in classrooms today I know our son would have had a label slapped on him real fast. In our homeschool we have the privilege of customizing our children’s curriculum to their particular learning style. Our son wouldn’t cut it sitting in a desk all day working on a cookie cutter curriculum. Curriculum is not a one size fits all. Our daughter can handle that type of curriculum for the most part – our son cannot. On the flip side of that issue our daughter was tested (at the schools request-not ours) in the gifted and talented in the first grade(she was in public ed from K-3rd). She ranked in the top 4% in the U.S. on that test. They (her teacher) told us they knew she was bored and needed to go on with school work but couldn’t. The reason was that many times the teacher had 25+ kids to get quieted down and then deal with discipline issues in class and the kids ( like my daughter) just sat waiting and waiting. At home- class size is not an issue. Our daughter can have classes that challenge her- again customizing her curriculum as needed. Both our kids are very social. Our daughter is in band, youth choir, fairly accomplished pianist, has dance lessons and just made it on the cheerleading squad and made it on as an alternate on the competitive squad for the public school she will be attending next year. She aspires to go to college and knows what she wants to do with her life. Our son was in the homeschool choir, plays a little bit of piano and will be in the homeschool band next. He is actively involved in karate where he is a first degree red belt. He goes to karate 3 days a week. There are only two days a week that they aren’t around other kids. So the whole issue of socialization is blown completely our of proportion!! Our little guy isn’t sure about college. He is still young and doesn’t fully grasp what it is all about. He says right now he wants to work with his daddy on our sod farm. He wants to take over the business one day. College may or may not be in his future. But both our children have had the privilege of seeing their dad build a business from scratch and make it a very successful one at that. The saw this firsthand because they were homeschooled. Also, they’ve been apart of our prayertime regarding certain issues with our business. Because they were home with us we could/ can just stop and pray at any given time during the day. Another perk of homescooling you might say.

I also echo the above requests at wanting to know where Bruce obtained his information. Wherever it was he was sadly misinformed!

Rasonja. You go, girl! What a great analogy. What you stated is so true. In most instances, I have found that the majority of homeschool families are not anti-public or government school. We are not, nor do we want to be enemies of the state run education. We simply want the right to train and educate our own children, as you so eloquently put it, “on a different playing field.” It isn’t a competition. It isn’t about who is best, and one-upping each other. It is simply about freedom of choice. Freedom to educate our children by (as stated in our Constitution) “any other means.”

I am so proud to live in a state that allows me, as the parent, to decide what educational option is best for my children.
I don’t have a teaching degree, but I do invest time educating myself on the best ways to inspire my children, facilitate their learning, and increase the strength of their character. I, and the many homeschooling parents I have met, take this responsibility very seriously. Sometimes it is scary to think that this responsibility is fully on my shoulders. I don’t have anyone to blame if they “don’t turn out right”, but I feel the Lord led us to this lifestyle and He constantly puts resources, encouragement, knowledge, people, classes, etc. in our path.
I strongly believe that parents should always have the ability to choose what is best for their children. Homeschooling is not for everyone, but for those who would thrive with that option I’m thankful it is available.

The Oklahoman sports section in today’s paper (March 17, 2008) states that “Homeschool championships a success”. The article goes on to state that one young lady has signed on to play for Iowa State and another is being recruited by women’s college basketball’s big two – UConn and Tennessee. Not bad for children who were homeschooled. I guess Bruce’s comment about college is lame at best.

I am a former public shool teacher and have chosen to homeschool my own children because I know first hand that as well-intentioned, hard working, and dedicated as the teachers are out there, one can simply NOT reach the needs of 25-30 students like one can meet the needs of 2-8 children. Homeschooling has proven itself through results. In fact, I have never had anyone ask me “Aren’t you worried about their academics?” when they find out I homeschool. It is always “What about their socialization?” The first question we should ask ourselves is “What is the purpose of school?” Is it not to educate? Secondly, Dr. John Wesley Taylor conducted a nationwide study on the self-concept of homeschool students versus public school students according to the Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale and the homeschool students scored significantly higher on ALL six subscales! In addition, 98% of homeschool students are involved in 2 or more activities which allow plenty of peer interaction. And my memory may fail me, but I do not recall a single news story where a homeschool student has shot his peers during his/her highschool or college years yet I don’t hear people questioning the socialization of public school children. I think the only reasonable explanation for the resistance towards homeschooling is the fear of the unknown because if anyone truly examines homeschooling they will find benefit upon benefit.

Bruce, I’m not sure if you have had the chance the check this board again, and if so I would love to engage in some feedback from you on the sourcing of your information, as David on post #10 asked for as well. For the sake of my post, however, I want to just assume that all of your statements are well-founded and will suppose that you indeed did do your research. As a businessman from the Tulsa area, I have had the chance to visit with homeschoolers from all over the country in my various travels. I have indeed had the chance to see situations where parents were unwilling to allow their children to engage in any social activities other than Sunday morning church, and to be fair to you, it’s important to note that your concerns do take place in each and every state in America. Unfortunately, it is common that on average it only takes two encounters with certain social groups (such as homeschoolers) before presuppositions and stereotypes are reached. I’m afraid it could very well be you have not yet had the chance to meet any successful, booming, working-in-the-world, graduated-from-college, financially successful, open-minded, creative, and emotionally independent people who just happened to be educated at home. Rather, I’m guessing, that you have encountered situations where homeschooling alone seems to be the focus, rather than the means by which children are educated to better prepare them for college, family life, and beyond. You may have met and observed many more Homeschool families than two, but for my family and friends who express the same opinions as you do, I ask them only to answer a few questions for me. I would love it if you would be kind enough to reply to my questions, in route to having an open discussion on a very important issue to both sides:

-Do you believe it is possible to give a mentally stable child a better education at home; even within a good school district; even with parents who do not hold teaching degrees? Why, or why not?
-Is there any way the public school system could limit the development of a student to the point where they wouldn’t be ready for college? Did you have any public school classmates who held menial jobs after graduating and never went to college?
-Do you think is it audacious for any parent to claim they know their child better than anyone else?
-Is it possible a parent could have a better idea of what learning styles and techniques work best for their child’s educational development?
-Is it too cautious for parents to not want their children to learn life’s lessons from someone they will never know well? Would you feel comfortable letting your child spend forty hours a week (more time than you get to spend with them) at a neighbor’s house without knowing what kind of people your neighbors were, and what influences they would have on your children?
-In your personal experience, did you feel the classroom time in public school was used wisely?
-Did you feel all of your teachers excelled at what they did and were excited to be there?
-Do you think you could have finished your school work in a more timely fashion if you were the only student? What would you have done with this extra time?

Just as much as there may be advantages to attending public school, it is also important to distinguish the many benefits of education at home. Unfortunately, I’m afraid this issue is not as one-sided as you might suppose. I’m anxious to continue our discussion, and hope you are having a great start to the week!

Through 6 years of college the only guy who had enough guts to ask me out on a date, point blank, at the end of class was a kid who had been 100% homeschooled and was at the top of our college chemistry class. Bravo homeschooling parents!

I’ve been reading the continuing blog this afternoon as I sit in my office at one of the state’s research universities. In response to Bruce and those who see homeschooling from his viewpoint –Many of my colleagues (yes they have PhDs) in the sciences, mathematics and engineering fields have chosen to homeschool their children. Somehow I don’t think that choice was to hold them back! Rather it is the chance to fly and explore. Often our challenge as educators is to stay out of the way and let learning happen. Challenge is the best motivator.

My son has witnessed live birth of a water snake, built working robots, learned to fly (really fly airplanes) as well as being steeped Bill Gates’ 3 Rs–Rigor, Relevance and Relationships. In addition he played Center for a homeschool basketball team with the son of an engineering professor and was coached by a former homeschooler who will soon graduate in engineering.

My wife has given the last 18 years to educate our three sons. She could not have done anything that would have had a more lasting impact and greater legacy.

On cause and effect– I believe that the most important piece of the equation are the involved parent(s) who holds themselves accountable for their children’s education. The method that is best for that child should be used but we can never relinquish our responsibility for the education of our children. If we hire others (public or private) we must supplement and hold **the school and the child** accountable for reaching their potential.