Or so we thought. Our trepidation began three years ago with concern as to the content of our children’s study in the public system as well as the time they spent on needless busywork that ate into family time. It was then that we began our research into the educational system that is sweeping our nation, the Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSSI). Over time, and much study, we realized that there were several issues with the CCSSI ranging from the over abundance of testing, the lack of fact based knowledge taught in the lower grades, the push toward persuasive, opinion based writing techniques and the pushing of standards that are not only age inappropriate but method-based whereas the teacher no longer has the ability to properly teach a child based on his/her development but merely teach the class to pass a test - a test which is based on the particular methods detailed out in the standards and/or nationalized standardized testing.
I shall say that I have other issues as well - the copyrighting of the standards by a private organization and the data collection on our children to name a few - but that is for another post. In short, I can tell you now that I find very little to like about the CCSSI and much too much to dislike. Therefore, the question for our family became, “Where do we go from here?”
Well, we began by taking our children out of the public system and enrolling them into an exempt private school. Unfortunately after only one year, due to the nationalization of standardized tests and the fact that the tests are method-based, we found it painstakingly obvious that the CCSSI greatly affected our children’s curriculum even in the exempt private school.
This realization highlighted one of my main complaints about CCSSI - that it constricts the parents’ choice when it comes to educating their children. Education is a very private, personal matter and there are so many factors that go into making the proper decisions for each individual child. If teachers are unable to focus on the individual child and the parents are being pushed out – where is the personalization? Furthermore, if we continue to make all schools ‘common’ – where is the choice?
That said, I firmly believe that each family should have the right to choose their method of education. As a family we find it imperative that we have a say in the work that our children complete. Therefore, although homeschooling is not the choice for everyone, homeschooling has become the only option that fits our family and our personal commitment in raising our family.
So yes, we are homeschooling. Generally after I answer that question – you know the one that has everyone’s mouth gapped open to the floor, “You are going to WHAT?” - we receive the next two questions: 1. What about tests and grading? And 2. How will your children be socialized? I welcome both of these questions as I believe that the answers to these two questions sum up the benefits in homeschooling perfectly.
1. What about tests and grading? - Schooling is not about tests and grading; it is about learning. Our children will be challenged both individually and together in order to develop into well-rounded, well-educated individuals. Our days will be filled with activities together and with others but most importantly with plenty of one on one instruction to ensure understanding. By not inhibiting each child’s method of learning, we hope to create a love for learning in their hearts - love that they can enjoy throughout their entire lifetime - childhood is so much more than taking a test that says that you are college and career ready. In addition, my children will learn through example that learning is a life long task as they will see their father and I learning - and/or relearning - facts in order to be stronger, better teachers for them.
2. How will your children be socialized? - Many act as if children being around other children will create well-socialized adults. This leaves me asking, "Have they ever read 'Lord of the Flies’?” In my years here on earth, both as an adult and as a child, I have found that the best way to learn is through example. Expecting a teenager to emerge as a responsible adult after spending a majority of their time around pubescent piers is not only irresponsible it is borderline insane. While being homeschooled my children will get a proper balance of time with friends and time with well-rounded, hand chosen adults in order to prepare them for adulthood. One morning on the way to class while still at his private school my son announced to me, “Mom, I will be in school for more than seven hours today!” At that moment it occurred to me that my children, my precious gifts from God, were in the hands or under the direction of someone else for more of the day than either my husband or myself. In addition, due to the excessive homework, we increasingly found it difficult to fit in family time, to participate in Church activities or to spend time with the hand chosen adults that we saw fit to prepare our children for adulthood. With the schooling system as it is today, not only are we, the parents, being left out of the educational process but we are allowing the school system to monopolize our children's time thereby choosing the examples that will intrinsically mold our children and their lives.
It is because of these two points that we believe that homeschooling will have benefits beyond comprehension. As we all grow together as a family, I look forward to looking into each one of my children’s eyes as they light up with the joy of learning and the love of learning becomes instilled in their hearts. As Charlotte Mason, a wise veteran homeschooler, once said, “The question is not – how much does the youth know when he has finished his education – but how much does he care?”
I am humbled at the trust that my children have in me to guide them on this journey. It will be quite a ride – I hope that you find some enjoyment along the way as well.