Homeschooling 101

I sat in a question and answer today with a group of homeschooling parents and students. I want to dictate some of my own thoughts walking away from this experience.

#1- As a parent, why not become part of the public education system to help change it for the better?

#2- If there is a problem with the school, why not utilize the resources you have found to bring it to light. The collective panel today should realize that their idea of "holistic" education is practical in public education and should influence the government as tax-payers for this change. (see #1)

#3- They divided the reasons for homeschooling into secular and religious. If you feel that the school does not foster toleration of religion see #1. In my opinion, it is the role of the parent to engage their children in religious schooling or thought.

#4- Perhaps the most upsetting comment to me as a future teacher was that of the homeschooling coordinator. She said that everyone she has worked with has done so in part because of higher academic standards. She then went on to condemn schools for not having this. It has always been part of my philosophy to keep high standards in my classroom and I was offended by this generalization.

#5- Although this may not be pc for some people, a professor reminded me after class: aren't they all hypocrits anyways, calling out public education, fleeing from, and only utilizing it when it serves their best interests (dual enrollment, college classes, etc.)

#6- Finally, I would like to state that we don't disagree on everything. When asked what could be done to fix education in the US, they supplied these answers: better teachers, more money, and lower student:teacher ratio. I agree wholeheartedly.

Really, a very engaging dialogue, wish it would have been a few more hours.