First, I must admit that I have some bias here. I come from a long line of schoolteachers. Most of my family…my mother, and most of my brothers and sisters have been involved in the teaching or administration of public schools. My training is in engineering, but I cannot help being influenced by them.
Can an "amateur" teach their child all the things that they will learn in public schools? Yes, it is possible. Do all homeschoolers meet this requirement? I cannot see how they could. A professional teacher is a college-trained individual who has devoted their life to the education of young people. How could a parent who has not received this intensive and specialized training perform as well?
There are some who think that they can. John Holt (1923-1985) was the preeminent advocate of home schooling. He had no professional training in education, but he published a book entitled How Children Fail which criticized traditional schools. The book was based on a theory he had developed as a teacher and an observer of children and education; that the academic failure of schoolchildren was caused by pressure placed on children in schools.
Holt's said: "...the human animal is a learning animal; we like to learn; we are good at it; we don't need to be shown how or made to do it. What kills the processes are the people interfering with it or trying to regulate it or control it." Holt later said, in 1980, "I want to make it clear that I don't see homeschooling as some kind of answer to badness of schools. I think that the home is the proper base for the exploration of the world which we call learning or education. Home would be the best base no matter how good the schools were."
Some questions arise. Public, or even private schools take children from the security of their home environment, and expose them to a classroom of their peers, where they are challenged to perform and compete. They must learn to deal with arrogant and rude, even threatening behavior by their classmates. This "socialization" is an important part of the learning process, and one that they cannot acquire in their home. Although it can sometimes be unpleasant or traumatic, it is part of life, and something they will have to deal with as adults. Is it too early in their lives to begin this part of their education? I do not think so.
But the real reason most people "homeschool" their children is religious. Public schools expose children to ideas that conflict with faith-based beliefs, and some devoutly religious people do not want their kids to be "infected" by those ideas. By keeping them sequestered at home, they prevent "exposure," and insulate them from those beliefs.
Now, parents have a right to brainwash their children. For the first five years of their lives, children are prisoners of their parents' beliefs. After that, most go to public school, and are exposed to different ideas. Their parents still are the major influence in their lives, but most kids start to understand that there are people who don't agree with their parents. Still, most will retain their parents' religious beliefs. But some may not, and that's where homeschooling comes in. If parents can retain total control over their children 24/7 until they are adults, they have a better chance of keeping them "in the fold."
And now comes the question: SHOULD parents have this right? Most of the people who do homeschooling are devoutly religious. They would be the first to lecture about the "rights" of the fetus, as opposed to the mother, in abortion decisions. And yet, once the child is born, it seems that those same people would claim that the parents have the right to determine everything for the child…including what they are allowed to think.
What about the rights of the child to decide for themselves about their faith? Who gives the parents the right to make that decision? The same people who claim that, at conception, a person is created, are comfortable treating their child as a cipher, a nonentity to be browbeaten, brainwashed and intimidated into their religious beliefs once they are born.
When should a child cease to be a "cipher," and be treated as a human individual, capable of making their own decisions and controlling their life? It's a vexing question. There is no "right" answer. It probably varies from individual to individual.
But homeschooling can be a form of brainwashing, forcing beliefs on young people before they are mature enough to make judgments and accept or reject those beliefs.
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Comments: 42
I know many homeschooling families now...and while only one family was for strictly religious reasons, the rest have been for varied reasons. One family could no longer afford private tuition for two children, school bullying, (teasing is one thing, bullying is NOT something a 5 year old is ready for), special learning needs of a child, and also the fact that public schools are pushing standardized test scores to improve school performance, and the focus of the child's actual progress is lost along the way.
Religion, math or science, I personally believe a parent knows more than any teacher what and how fast their child is capable of learning. I do not discredit any teachers, as I had great ones...but one teacher cannot give 25+ students the individual attention they need.
I think there are parents who can adequately school their children in academics. I think there are situations when it might be better for a child to leave the traditional school system and if there are no alternatives available, home schooling is necessary, and a better choice.
But, for the most part, I do not think even the most educated parent can provide everything a child needs for a well-rounded education. I think some very important lessons for life are learning to deal with a variety of personalities, learning styles, friendships, and experiences - with students and teachers. I think the discipline of having to get up and go, and remembering to pick up the back pack and lunch money, and keeping up with the bus number and names of all the other students, and who has brothers and sisters, and what so-and-so brought to show, etc. are important.
I have to come down on the rights of the citizens to choose to home school, although I agree with your views on its negatives in some cases.
There are homeschool groups that offer opportunites for friendships and groups experiences. Sports, music lessons, dance or art classes...they all offer instruction from outside adults, interaction with peers of other ages, and offer that structured schedule that students need. Volunteer work, paying jobs....
I cannot remember a single thing someone brought to show and tell, but I could describe when I worked Hands on Atlanta day.
My children had over fifty teachers each by the time they graduated high school and had interacted with people of nearly every race, nationality, background, etc. They shared experiences with teachers and classmates that they weren't going to get at home, and they learned how their friends and their families dealt with things. I don't think many parents can provide that diversity. Even if they can, I think was important for my children to have their own life, away from me, so they could come home and share something with me, through their perspective first.
There are homeschool groups that offer opportunites for friendships and groups experiences. Sports, music lessons, dance or art classes...they all offer instruction from outside adults, interaction with peers of other ages, and offer that structured schedule that students need. Volunteer work, paying jobs....
Aren't these all programs where they are mixed with other home schooled children and home schooling adults? I think this is much better than not being involved, but not as beneficial as being involved with "just any person who comes along".
I cannot remember a single thing someone brought to show and tell, but I could describe when I worked Hands on Atlanta day. I'm sure all children have different memories of whatever is most important to that person. I used that as an example.
I have one in the public school...and I have a home schooler. My son is home schooled, because the public school in our district cannot and will not offer him the education he needs. Pher has been bored in the public school...and the school would not let him work ahead of his grade nor would they challenge him. Things are done here that seem to favor average and only average.
Here in Georgia, there are a lot of home schoolers....and there are a lot of home school schools.
What about the rights of the child to get a good education? Lets say that the parents are not competent to homeschool. Do they still have the right to choose to home school? Isn't that a form of child abuse?
I did not know that the public school situation was that bad in Georgia.
As Brittney says, many schools now are concentrating on "teaching to the tests," and that is an unfortunate consequence of Bush's "No Child Left Behind" program. Teachers and schools are punished if their students do not do well on the tests, so the kids are taught to take the tests...but what are they learning?
I have a question: Do homeschool students have to take those tests? Does anybody know?
Andrea R. home schools--I wonder if she'll drop by. (Oh, she's definitely no fundamentalist.)
They also said that homeschool parents had more education than non-homeschoolers. I would hope so. Teaching all the school subjects to your kids is a tough job. Not something I would like to tackle
Here is the link.
In Tallahassee there was a huge homeschooling group that I often ran into in the park and there were weird ones, conservative ones and very liberal ones. I do believe they all thought they were doing the best for their children. I met some eight-year-olds who could not read and others who could read Moby Dick. There was a Grass Roots Free School where there was no set curriculum and the kids could choose what they wanted to do. That meant an awful lot of kids sitting around and playing Pokemon. I wonder how those kids are doing now?
Where I live now, most of the homeschoolers do it for religious reasons, but their parents tend to have college degrees and do a fine job of educating them in certain fields. It is a serious mission and if you take it seriously, the outcome is likely to be good. The college where my husband teaches actually has a preference for(or at least no prejudice against) homeschooled students and the ones I've met have been personable and self-motivated. It's a very complex issue.
Bert, I'll bet a good number of those "concern about environment" responses were PC for "don't want my kid with ____ (choose an unsavory)". I don't known many home schoolers. Of the ones I know, all but made the choice for religious or prejudiced reasons. And a couple of the girls ended up wild when they finally got out of the house. But, I don't assume that it will happen with every home schooled girl, or that the same wouldn't have happened if these girls went to public school.
I've been in a number of internet communities where people claimed to be home schooling their children (including this one). Often, the grammar, punctuation, topics of discussion, etc of those mothers made me wonder how they could be teaching. I'm not talking typos. On the other hand, I've heard some ear-shattering grammar from teachers. At least, with teachers, there is a chance the student will only be subjected to that for one year.
I have no doubt there are some great home schooling situations, but I seriously doubt that home schooling is best for all of the kids currently being home schooled. I'm sorta playing devil's advocate here - hoping to generate discussion. For those who weren't around, a group of wackos came to Gather at one point, claiming they were home schooling and the experience might have scarred me for life.
Secondly, if the parents were acceptable as educators for the first five years of a child's life, why are they suddenly not acceptable when the child reaches age 6? If the parents are not literate, they can join their children in learning to read. Most home-schooling parents do some learning as well as teaching.
Third, home-schoolers tend to progress at about twice the speed of schooled children in learning. Most spend just half the time on school work and but still easily keep up with their age mates.
Fourth, the formal schooling system present in most of the world is based on the prison / factory model. The children are treated as if they were in prison, except that they have less freedom than convicts and fewer rights. The children are treated as if they were all identical in that if they are of age X then they will be lined up with all the other chidren of age X and presented with the same material.
Fifth, school is boring for most students most of the time (see item four above). Boredom decreases mental ability and learning. It literally causes the brain to shut down and lose abilities.
Sixth, school is stressful for most students most of the time (see item four above). Stress makes it difficult to learn and is bad for physical and mental health.
Seventh, the education of teachers does not make them good teachers. The teaching of reading in the U.S. is a travesty. Given the current standards, by 5th grade 99% of students should be reading above grade level. In the 19th century, mothers were expected to teach their children to read *before* they sent them to school. They used the McGuffey Primer and it worked for those who were not severly dyslexic. The current public school systems don't do nearly as well.
Eighth, the school is not designed to educate but rather to churn out docile, obedient factory workers. This design was created over 100 years ago by the business communities of the big cities to process the children of immiogrants and other low class children. The schools today still have education well down on the list of importance.
Ninth, if schools are doing such a good job why is there so much homework? If schools are doing the educating, why do children have hours of homework each day? Given the length of time children spend in school it is astounding that so little is learned there.
Tenth, a group of 20 children, all the same age, learning together is quite unnatural. We did not evolve with children learning is such conditions.
Eleventh, a well trained, superb teacher with an excellent attitude (and there are quite a few of them out there) simply cannot have the knowledge of each student that their parents have. They also cannot individualize the student's education to the same degree. Their preparation for a career as a teacher simply cannot make up for the advantages the parent has.
Finaly, not everyone is the same. Some children will do better in a school than at home. Some parents cannot (for a variety of reasons) provide an adequate home education for their children. We really need good public schools and should support them fully and reward good teaching as it deserves. But we should also support home schooling.
My husband was homeschooled and his mother helped start the only secular homeschooling network in Texas. One reason they did so was for non-Christian religions, like paganism and Wiccan, Muslim and Buddhist - fundamentalists aren't the only ones who have a reason to eschew regular school. In her case, she began homeschooling for two reasons (a) she had two dyslexic children of the level where they were never expected to read (same level she was herself) and (b) her son was offered drugs in school. He turned them in to the office and was promptly SUSPENDED because they "couldn't protect him from the other kids now that he had ratted others out". I can understand and sympathize with all of those reasons.
I can see how school could be detrimental for some kids. They might feel so marginalized (for being different) or such a failure (labeled "special ed") that they never reach their potential or regard their school years as torment. They may be so bright, that working in a school environment is so dull and unrewarding that they become lax and disinterested, throwing their potential away sliding into drugs (more readily available at school), skipping college or even killing themselves. Working and learning at home, even if their parent was not necessarily as well-rounded or well-educated as teachers in school. They may understand their children better, know what will work and what won't to a degree that an underpaid overworked schoolteacher just cannot.
But, homeschooling, even with the best of intentions, can seriously curtail social growth and interaction, a vital part of growing up. Even the most conscientious parent may not be able to teach a child effectively, particularly an exceptionally bright one or one with special needs. That doesn't mean that a parent can't, just that (a) a parent may be ill-equipped to judge his or her own capabilities effectively and (b) the only way to know for certain is to try. Children who are homeschooled can readily become sheltered, used to a level of feedback and understanding that the real world won't provide, ill-equipped for the world in general. Of course, that can happen in school, too.
Results can come back mixed for homeschoolers. My husband and his siblings were definitely sheltered and "graduated" very ill-equipped for the world at large. They all resented the lack of social interaction and, in her case, the lack of structure meant they had rotten study habits and self-discipline. The lack of a "legitimate" diploma made the education at home less than helpful in the real world. But the two with severe dyslexia were reading. It should be noted that this is not necessarily indicative, though. There are many colleges now deliberately looking for homeschooled children.
For parents who choose to homeschool their children for control reasons rather than for the child's own interest (though I am not convinced tthis is as prevalent as Bert described - I personally know dozens of homeschoolers and not a fundamentalist among them), I am not sympathetic to people who think of their children as possessions or feel that control is the mot important thing.
What does all that mean? I don't think there is a single answer. There are children who are probably better off homeschooled and others who are definitely better off in the school system. Some parents are better suited to teaching. Some school districts have better schools than others. I don't think homeschooling is always better or that schools are always better. Nor do I think the situation the same for each individual student.
The trick is to figure this out ahead of time. I have never been tempted to homeschool my eldest - he definitely revels in the social setting. My son has special needs but I'm going to work with the school to address them first; if that doesn't work, I might very well consider homeschooling. Whether my children go to school at home or at school, I consider myself, however, an integral player in their education and that, ultimately, its my responsibility to ensure they get the best education possible by whatever means necessary.
I would not, by the way, object to testing for someone who wants to homeschool. We insist (rightly, in my opinion) on teachers meeting certain criteria. I think potential homeschool teachers should also be able to meet a certain criteria. Defining that, though, would be a nontrivial matter.
Your comments have enlightened me...and changed my mind about homeschooling to some extent. I should have researched this more before I wrote the article. I now see that my opinions were...um...uninformed (well, okay, ignorant).
Having said that, I still feel that Larry's diatribe is somewhat biased...until you get to the last little throwaway paragraph. In particular, I take exception to:
Who says they were acceptable? Our educational system starts formal education at the age of 5. Before that, parents should be teaching their kids to read and some fundamentals of arithmetic, etc. My mother did that with all of her children.
But if there are no credentials required (as Stephanie suggests there should be.) then illiterates could teach their children absolutely nothing. Schools can't do anything about that for the first 5 years of a child's life, but I think it is equivalent to child abuse, and should not be allowed to continue until they are young adults. Of course parents could learn to read along with their children, but they are not REQUIRED to do so.
What I have learned from all of you is that many homeschoolers are doing a good job, and that this is a very complex issue. I especially like Stephanie's nuanced and objective take on the issue. You have won me over, Stephanie!
I do believe that homeschooled children should be afforded the opportunity to interact with a variety of people. Not all homeschool groups will offer that, but from the research I've done, there are many diverse ones. I personally didn't attend one, because I was older, and had no desire. My mom didn't force me to. While my public school friends were still in class, I developed new hobbies that I probably would have otherwised missed out on.
I agree that not all parents should teach their children at home. Some parents just do not have the organization, control or ability to commit to such a demanding responsiblity. And some children are not suited for the home environment. My own brother tried it, hated it, and returned to public school.
However, I never had a teacher that spelled my name right on the first try, either. I know my name is not the most popular way to spell Brittney, but how hard is it to transfer a name from a birth certificate to a class roster? My very first day of school I spent 10 minutes convincing my teachers that it was Brittney, and not Brittany.
Janet, I am originally from Georgia, which is where I was homeschooled the last few years of high school. I moved to Atlanta my sophomore year, and watched an actual fight between my female school guide and another male student on my first day. I decided right then and their that was my last day at that school.
Bert--the requirements for homeschooling families varies from state to state. Some states require very little, while others require detailed attendance records, outlines of educational objectives, yearly test scores, portfolios, etc. The same goes for colleges requirements.
I like Larry's twelve reason for home schooling.
I do not disagree with you that kids should learn at home. I was fortunate. My parents took a lot of interest in their five children (I am the fourth). My mother was a credentialed teacher...temporarily retired to raise her children...after we were grown, she went back to teaching...English and Latin. She was still correcting my grammar when I was 50 years old! Not many parents have the time, skill or inclination to do this full-time six hours a day. That is why I am skeptical about most homeschooling. Like the little girl with curls on her forehead, I suspect that when it is good, it is very, very good, but when it is bad it is horrid.
Larry frightens me a little, to tell you the truth--does he really think illiterate parents should home school and learn to read along with their kids? Does he think that a few years later those parents will be able to teach algebra and chemistry?
It's true that the twenty (plus)-child group learning together is not part of our evolutionary heritage on the African savanna. Of course, neither is reading, writing, formal mathematics, not to mention all the rest a child goes to school to learn.... (Even numbers other than one, two, and many seem to be relatively recent inventions seen in that sort of time frame.)
I doubt if there are many people who would be capable of teaching high school level classes in biology, chemistry, physics and math, and then jump knowledgeably into English literature, World and US history...and art and music! What about team sports and bands? There are so many things that I got from my public school experience!
Maybe most homeschoolers just do it in the early elementary years and then send their kids to regular schools (public or private) for junior high and high school.
Ruth, will you share with us how many home schooled kids you know, and on what you base your "seem to advance much faster" statement? And what criteria do you use to compare them to "regular" students in terms of advancement and happiness?
(Now you've seen a teacher spell your name right the first time. I know, it's not the same with the prewarning and all, but it's the best I can do.)
Larry, I side with you...as I home educate our two oldest currently...for many reasons...
It's in interesting debate for sure.
as with most situations, it's best scrutinized on a case-by-case. -to be fair, even an ignorant redneck cuss without a lick of knowledge CAN bust his/her ass...in the name of preparing a much-loved child for the wide, wild world.
and succeed. (i'm sure there's a Disney movie about just such. "My Grandpa's Take On Goethe". Siskel liked it; Ebert didn't.)
it can happen.
love's...funny.
by that selfsame token: some people couldn't teach The Art Of Walking Straight. not if you gave them an immersion course to listen to in their sleep (osmosis, anyone?), a tutor who spoke their native tongue, an easy-to-comprehend curriculum/prospectus, two aluminum walkers, and a partridge in a pear tree.
with clipped wings.
that the bird, too, might opt to walk ev'rywhere.
some people just can't teach. shouldn't.
some of them do anyway.
further: some are PAID to do so, and by the public school systems. -as someone said up there, at least you can be relieved that the child in question will only be subjected to them for one year.
you hope.
so what do we have?
one more issue with no clear-cut answer.
if only we could take each child, figure them out, and pair them up with The Right Teacher For Them.
wishes won't wash dishes, though.
that's why my hands look like prunes.
and peel.
Education does not make a teacher...something INSIDE makes a teacher.
One family began homeschooling last year because they felt their son needed more physical activity to break up the school day.
I wonder how the parents who are homeschooling can want to have, what seems to me, a rather narrow life centered on their children. I'm crazy about my children, but I doubt I could ever have homeschooled, just as I don't like working from home on a regular basis. I'm not an extrovert, but I prefer to be with a wider range of people, even those I don't especially like.