Homeschooling Isn’t What it Used to Be, or Is It?
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Home education in North America is changing, and I'm not sure that it's for the better. Much of what I observe through working with homeschooling families is very different from what I experienced with my own children several years ago. Today, I would like to open a discussion and perhaps get some feedback from some of you.
When I began homeschooling almost twenty years ago, we were a rare breed. There were so few people teaching their children at home that the average person had never heard of it, nor could people understand why we would make such an unusual educational choice. I remember being shy when discussing schooling at home, and when people asked me what I was doing, I mumbled nervously.
In time, I developed confidence and my attitude changed from apologetic to proud. I became an ambassador of home education. The more responsible, outgoing homeschooled kids that I met, the more I wanted to shout to a critical world, "Socialization be hanged! Look at these kids!"
In the early days of this movement, parents wanted to know why and how to homeschool before they would commit. I can't remember anyone who casually agreed to do it. No way! In order to pull your children out of school twenty years ago, you had to be radically different, solidly focused or just plain crazy. Never did I hear anyone say, "Oh, heck! Let's just homeschool this year and see how it goes."
Today, homeschooling is almost commonplace. It seems that everyone knows someone who homeschools, and unfortunately, it also seems as if all of us know someone who has homeschooled poorly. Stories abound of that one, odd homeschooling family that someone knew from someplace. Although not everyone understands it or accepts it, the concept itself no longer seems weird. It no longer shocks anyone. And it no longer requires naked courage to take it on.
Because it's acceptable, it's so much easier to try it out. A person doesn't need a burning passion, a firm commitment or a solid philosophy. In fact, many new homeschoolers don't even know why homeschooling is a good option or how to homeschool well because they have never taken the time to find out. They don't need to, because they aren't risking as much today. Rather than studying to find out how to succeed, many just jump in and hope for the best.
I remember reading piles of books, attending support group meetings and visiting homeschooling families before I agreed to take it on. I spent an entire summer investigating. It wasn't an easy sell, but once I was sold on the idea, I charged forward--scared but determined, inexperienced but equipped.
Not so today. At least, not everyone. And so we have many people homeschooling for the wrong reasons. And I would have to add that there are many homeschoolers who should not be doing it. Might I say that homeschooling is not for everyone? I hate to say it, but in some of the cases that I have seen in the past five to ten years, the kids would have been better off in public school.
Now that I have made such a bold statement, I'm going to leave the discussion and let you mull it over. I hope that some of you will post comments.
In my next article, I will continue my thoughts and tell you why I, a committed homeschooler, would dare to speak such heresy.
Dianne Dachyshyn is a freelance writer and a motivational speaker who lives in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She works as a home education facilitator, helping homeschooling families plan their programs and deal with challenges. Dianne is passionate about teaching children to write. Visit her website at HomeschoolWell.com.
Chris, I completely disagree with your comment. I homeschooled 18 yrs ago. There were lots of home schoolers in our area, and many were motivated by academic excellence, not religion. I think it’s nothing new that there are many reasons for choosing to homeschool, and most people don’t have just one reason. I also agree with the writer that some homeschoolers shouldn’t be doing it. Some parents are not commited enough and without that commitment it’s impossible to do a good job.
Higher academic achievement is definitely a selling point when promoting the benefits of homeschooling. When a child is among the homeschooling population there is a statistical advantage for that child academically. However, in my opinion, academic achievement, especially as a measurement of how a child compares to his or her public school counterparts, has nothing to do with what this Movement was about in its formative years. In fact (again my opinion), placing academics at the center of the homeschooling discussion runs directly counter to why we began homeschooling so many years ago.
In the beginning of the homeschooling movement, neither academics nor negative public school issues were what prompted parents to keep their children home during the day. Parents were simply obeying what they felt the Lord was telling them to do. They then had to figure out why the Lord had put such an novel and controversial idea on their hearts.
As I see it, what the Lord had in mind was at least two-fold: First, the homeschooling movement was God’s way to begin a restoration of the family unit which started falling apart during the Industrial Revolution and the founding of the Public School Movement in the mid-1850′s. Second, the homeschooling movement made available both time and opportunity for each, individual child to focus on prioritizing those giftings and callings God had placed in the child from the foundation of the world. This focus was intended to bring a level of mastery to those giftings which, in turn, would bring glory to the child’s Father.
Unfortunately, what has happened to this movement is that academics has overshadowed what I consider to be God’s initial intention and the “home” is now looked upon as simply another venue (admittedly a far better venue) in which a child can be “schooled”.
I completely disagree with your sweeping generalization of today’s homeschoolers, and I do not believe it to be a particularly “bold” statement. Of course, as any group grows larger, there will be a greater number of less-successful participants, but that should not call the entire group into question.
I look forward to your next article. I hope that you will define “odd, homeschooling family” and “the wrong reasons” and will explain why you “hate to say” that some children would do better in a public school?
An Equally Committed Homeschooler
Thanks for your thoughts. I will have to disagree with you, because the studies do not support your thesis. Indeed, the average homeschooled student today scores higher on standardized tests than the average homeschooled student did 10 years ago. Thus, it seems that from an academic point of view, homeschooling is getting better. The increased prevalence of homeschooling horror stories doesn’t necessarily mean a larger percentage of homeschools are failing their students. It is most likely the result of an increase in the total number of home schools.
I think you’re wrong…sort of…everyone can homeschool and do so successfully. Unfortunately, some people are lazy or selfish and don’t do the work required. I guess that means homeschooling isn’t for everyone. You have to be willing to die to yourself and put the work into it. I just wish that rather than urging these people to put their kids into school, we could offer them support, encouragement, direction and prayer.
You are right, JoAnn. Homeschooling is not the answer for everyone, and some kids would be better off in the system. I hope that it works out for your sister’s children.
.-= Dianne Dachyshyn´s last blog ..Good Clean Fun: Time for Wordcrafters =-.
I’m a homeschooling mom. Have been for a couple years now. My second oldest daughter just joined us this year. I know success stories. I know a tragedy in the making. My sister in law is “homeschooling.” Unfortunately, I have it on good authority that she is NOT teaching her children. She’s even moved as well as held her kids back in grade to avoid the manditory testing as required by the state.
I agree that there are some good parents out there making the best choices for their kids in homeschooling. I know my second oldest would have alot of trouble in public school if she were to be schooled in a public school as she needs some special help and TLC. I, however -I’m in agreement with you. I believe the best place for some kids would be to be in public school. I know it’d be the best hope and best choice for my sister in law’s kids.