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03/08/2003 Entry: "Great Article"
I always love to read about homeschooling in the news, even when it's critical of the movement, there is usually something to be gleaned from it--if nothing else--preparation for the next time someone asks about "socialization"...eh...it's bound to happen--you have NO idea!
Here's the link (btw in case some of you don't know anything that is BOLD (except that one which I made bold on purpose of course lol) in my journal is a link...just run your mouse over it and you'll have it
Home is where the school is
A few quotes from the article for those who might not have the time to read it:
"That home-schooled kids seem to be emotionally independent, self-starters is now, almost a cliché. They perform better too, averaging 75% on overall standardized tests, where private- and public-schooled children average 50%. On combined math and verbal SATs they routinely receive 50 to 100 points higher than their peers in public or private schools. In Canada, a study found that home-schooled children score on average at the 80th percentile in reading, at the 76th percentile in languages and at the 79th percentile in math, compared to 50% at state schools.
Little wonder it is catching on. Home-schooling increased 450% in the 1990s, and is now steadying out at an increase somewhere between 7% and 15% a year.
Which brings us to the cost. Parents spend, on average, about $600 a year, this compared to the $5,000-$7,000 a year the public schools claim it costs them. However, this $5,000-$7,000 does not include construction, equipment and debt financing. State schools, says Brian D. Ray in A Nationwide Study of Home Education in Canada, cost 975% more than home-schools.
Finally, by the 8th Grade, home-schooled kids are performing four grades above the national average, with 5.2 outside activities per week.
Families report that home-based education enriches their lives, because family discussions are substantive and not forced and hurried "quality-time" fictions.
The future looks rosy for this quiet populist rebellion. Elite universities such as Harvard and Stanford actively recruit home-schooled kids. Says Stanford University admissions officer Jonathan Reider: "The distinguishing factor [for admissions selection] is intellectual vitality. These kids have it."
Bringing to the mix, therefore, an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Hard to argue with that."
Nothing significantly new or surprising here, just the facts that seem to continue to come forth from even those groups who's initial purpose is to prove that homeschooling is bad for children--and most often end up having to conceed that they were wrong. (simple poetic justice)
 (Beware!)
As I have so often said...the key to homeschooling is freedom. I don't think that the whole world should homeschool, although I do think every parent has the capability of being their children's teacher, not everyone has the temperment, personality, or discipline required to do so. That's never a slam, it's actually a "gimme five" to parents who recognize their strengths and weaknesses in respect to their children and use them to decide what will work best for their family. As for me, I love homeschooling and my children love it. If the day comes where that changes, or that I feel they need more than I can give them you can be assured that I will be actively seeking remedies that might come in the form of tutors, college classes, co-ops, apprenticeships, online courses, or distance learning establishments. The point is, *most* homeschoolers (not all, I know some very VERY out there homeschoolers) never intend to take away from the benefits of public or private schools for the general population. Almost all of the homeschoolers I know concede that EVERY parent (truly abusive situations aside) tries to make the best choices for their children--for some that is public school, others private, others magnet or charter schools, and others homeschooling. My big struggle of understanding with most people who I speak with is the misconception that because I *love* homeschooling (and I DO!) and choose this lifestyle for my family that I am somehow critical of their choice NOT to do the same...that it is somehow a slam on them and their choices...but truly it's not that...it's a complex thing that I wish could lead to better understanding. I think to most if not all of the people I know PERSONALLY this is just clear as glass...but to others that I might meet in day to day life sometimes I get that "deer caught in the headlight" look from them and they do this "oh" thing when I say we homeschool...as I can tell they are internalizing everything and trying to decide if I am the enemy lol Seriously...you can't know how often this truly happens. People are caught off guard by it, and suddenly feel like because I choose this for my family--and they do something different, that I am expressing that my way is the BEST and ONLY way to do it and anyone who doesn't is not doing the RIGHT thing for their children. I honestly know very FEW homeschoolers who feel that way, even though there are SOME who do. I'm not one of them and whatever radical factions there are in the hsing community out there, they don't speak for me or mine.
So all that said...what's the point? Well, I hope over time, as people learn more about homeschooling and it becomes more widely accepted that people will understand that the majority of us are not anti-school at all. I am all about family involvement, whatever you do, be involved--you're the parent--by golly BE a parent. And I am all about FREEDOM. If people don't know enough, or understand something it causes fear...fear leads to restrictions which leads to the stripping of freedom from people. I support the right for every single family in this country to have the FREEDOM to make the choices that are right for their family...not just about education, but all aspects of their lives right down to the number of times a week they serve macaroni and cheese with dinner to please their kids (in my house about 4)...I could say this a million times and there will always be those who don't "get it"...but the majority of homeschoolers are all about freedom...not labeling this good, this bad, this good, this bad...but about personal freedom to make the choices that fit our families, and you can bet I for one would be right there beside any of you fighting for your rights as well, including getting what your kids need in the ps system. Every choice we make from the time that we give birth (and often BEFORE) to our children is important. We should be thankful to live in a country where we have the freedom of choice we do...where the reality is it's "us against them, where we are all together in the fight for freedom and "them" are those who would rob us of our freedoms in a moments chance--and I know that although there are things in life I don't agree with, and people's opinions even on homeschooling that make the hair on the back of my neck stand on end--I leave you with this oft misquoted quote attributed to Voltaire (Francois Marie Arouet) (the curious may be interested in the history behind this quote--so here's more info for you!)
"I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend, to the death, your right to say it"
That's all about freedom. The day we forget that even though people may think, say, believe, and live differently from us--even when it contradicts our own thoughts, beliefs, and lifestyle--we can support their RIGHTS without AGREEING with them*--well, that is the day that the great eagle bows it's head, the red, white, and blue will start fading, and lady liberty will slowly shift her balance--and our freedoms will slowly slip away one by one.
Be blessed!
~A
*just a note to be clear about this--I am not advocating the right to do anything which is beyond the scope of law--that might seem intuitively clear--but there's always that ONE person who will wonder haha
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