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INDEX:
“The
main part of intellectual education is not the acquisition
of facts but learning how to make facts live.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes
What
is homeschooling?
Parents
begin homeschooling the day their child is born. They teach
him how to walk, how to talk, how to behave properly, how
to say his abc's, how to count to 10 and write his name.
Perhaps they even teach him how to read. Then at age
five, they make a decision to continue home schooling
or to send their child to a "real" school. Many
people, famous and not-so-famous, have been successfully
educated at home including this SHORT list:
Artists:
Claude Monet, Andrew Wyeth and Ansel Adams
Business
Persons: Soichiro Honda (automobiles), Colonel Sanders,
Ray Kroc, Andrew Carnegie, Horace Greeley and Joseph
Pulitzer
Explorers:
Davy Crocket, Sir Ernest Shackleton and George Rogers
Clark
Judges:
John Jay, Sandra Day O'Connor, John Marshal
Political
and Military Leaders: Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Thomas
Jefferson, Woodrow Wilson, Winston Churchill, William
Penn, Daniel Webster, Douglas MacArthur, George Patton,
Matthew Perry and Robert E Lee
Preachers
and Missionaries: Jonathan Edwards, Hudson Taylor, Dwight
Moody, John & Charles
Wesley, Joan of Arc and William Carey
Musicians:
The Hansons, Mozart, Irving Berlin, Noel Coward, John
Philip Sousa and Mendelssohn
Movie
Stars: Charlie Chaplin, Whoopi Goldberg, Dakota
Fanning, Hillary Duff.
Movie
Stars that Homeschool: Lisa Whelchel, Kelly Preston
and John Travolta
Physicians
and Nurses: Clara Barton, Albert Schweitzer and Elizabeth
Blackwell
Scientists:
Blaise Pascal, Booker T. Washington, Sir Frank Whittle,
Alexander Bell, Thomas Edison, George Washington Carver,
Cyrus McCormick, Benjamin Franklin, Albert Einstein,
William Lear (airplanes) and Mary Leaky
Sports:
Tim Tebow (Heisman Trophy winner)
Writers:
Agatha Christie, C.S. Lewis, Rosemary Sutcliff, Walt Whitman,
Beatrix Potter, Thomas Paine, L. Ron Hubbard, William
F. Buckley, Jr., Pearl S. Buck, Hans Christian Anderson,
Alex Haley and Louisa May Alcott
More
famous homeschooled Americans: Famous
Homeschools and Homeschool Parents.
Here
is a brief timeline of education history*:
For
over 4000 years, education was received in the home with parents being the child’s only supervisor of instruction. Whether the child was taught by a parent or a hired tutor, “homeschooling” was the norm!
The first
educational institution outside the home in the American
colonies was established by John Cotton in 1635. The purpose
was to establish a school for poor children and orphans
so that they could read the Bible and obey the laws in
the community. Most families continued to teach their
children at home, while wealthier families hired tutors
to teach their children either at home, at the home of
the tutor, or at small community schools run by the parents.
From
the founding of our country until the early 1800s,
the overall literacy rate was higher than it is today.
Very few people
were unable to read. Children were taught a trade by
their parent or in an apprenticeship program. Most
children who entered small community schools already
learned how to read and write at home. Colleges were
established in the 1700s but were for biblical and classical
studies.
1805
- DeWitt Clinton helped to form a school for “the
education of poor children, who do not belong to,
or are not provided for, by any religious society.” It
is the first secular school in America. As Oliver Van
DeMille, president of George Wythe College, says in
his book, A
Thomas Jefferson Education , “Historically,
the primary goal of public schools, the reason they
were instituted, was to educate the poor so that they
could get a job and take their place in society. The
middle class already had private schools and apprenticeships,
and the wealthy were tutored at home.” The
creation of a uniform common school system also required
standardization of curriculum and instruction. This
is the beginning of the graded school and graded textbook
resulting in a one size fits all curriculum.
1856
- a German immigrant establishes the first American kindergarten.
1857
- the NEA (National Education Association) is formed.
By
the early 1900s, the authority and responsibility of
education shifted from the parents to the state.
1914
- World War I begins. WWII follows shortly after and
continues through 1945. During this time, many women
in America work in factories producing equipment and
supplies for the military while their husbands fight
in the wars. This is the beginnings of American women
working outside the home and mandatory public school
attendance.
By
1930, all states have passed compulsory education laws.
The
return to homeschooling begins in the 1960's & 70s
& 80s.
By
the year 2016, according to the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI), an estimated 2.3 million children are
being homeschooled once again.
For
more information on the history of and statistics about homeschooling,
visit NHERI
website and read Politics
of Survival on HSLDA's site (includes information
on African Americans and the homeschool movement).
(top
of page)
Why
do people homeschool?
Parents homeschool for a variety of reasons and not always just one. Here are a few:
Scholastic:
Statistics has shown that home educated students do exceptionally well in academics. The individual attention that the child gets in homeschooling
can help a delayed learner catch up and an advanced learner
go at a pace that will challenge him to work at his potential.
Financial:
Parents who would prefer sending them to a private school
but cannot afford the tuition often opt for homeschooling
as the next best alternative.
Family
Time and Influence: Many homeschool so that they have
more quality time with their children. Flexible scheduling
allows them to school around the parent’s work
or travel schedule. This in turn helps family to experience
family life that is not possible with a normal school/work
schedule.
To
Prevent Negative Influences: Parents homeschool to keep
them from destructive influences such as unsafe school environments,
negative peer pressure, bullying, and teachings that are contrary to the family's beliefs.
(top
of page)
Is
it Legal?
Check
the legal
facts about your state at Home School Legal Defense Association
(HSLDA).
For
laws in other countries, check out the information
found at A2Z Home's Cool.
Oklahoma
Law:
Oklahoma
is the only state with a constitutional provision guaranteeing
the right to home school. Read the actual law.
Even though this is the law according to the Oklahoma State Constitution,
you would most likely get in trouble with DHS if you only
homeschooled for three months! It is recommended that you
adhere Oklahoma homeschool law as recommended
by HSLDA. Basically,
Medical
Requirements in Oklahoma. Check the Oklahoma
State Department of Health for information on immunization
requirements in Oklahoma.
(top
of page)
Do
homeschooled children get into college?
Homeschooled students do go to college at the same rate
as public schooled students.
Most
colleges do admit homeschoolers, even ivy-league schools.
Scholarships
are given to homeschoolers.
Many homeschoolers, just as their public schooled counterparts,
do not go to college and are perfectly happy. They
start their own businesses, work in the technical fields,
get married, go into ministry, go in the service, or
go in the military.
For more information on homeschoolers in college, see the NHERI website.
(top
of page)
What
about Socialization?
If
you mean:
- Does
the child work well in a group or on a team?
- Is
the child awkward
in social situations?
-
Does the child use appropriate manners in public?
- Does
the child respect
others?
If
the above is what you mean, research during the past 20 years
confirms that homeschoolers are just as well or better adjusted
than traditionally schooled children. I've personally noticed
that if parents (whether public schooling or homeschooling)
are well-adjusted socially, their children are also, and vice
versa. It's not the type of school they attend but rather
the social skills modeled by the parents.
There
are an abundance of social opportunities available to homeschooled
children today including extracurricular
classes, sports programs, co-op classes, support
group activities and field trips,
volunteer
programs, and church activities. After the first year
or two, most homeschool families have problems trying to keep
the number of outside activities under control.
For
more information about socialization, read HSLDA's article
on the research done by Dr. Brian Ray, Socialization: No Problem!
(top
of page)
Should
I Homeschool?
Here
are some questions to ask yourself that may help you decide.
If you answer yes to all of them, then you are a great candidate
for homeschooling. If you answer no on any of these, you might
want to get additional counseling, determine if you can change
that answer, and/or consider another option such as hiring a private tutor.
-
I have the time to homeschool my children.
A typical homeschool day includes approximately three hours of one-on-one instruction, as well as time needed to plan and implement the program. Even if you hire a tutor, you must supervise the homeschool program. This means planning the courses of study, purchasing curriculum, and keeping records. In addition, you will need to provide transportation to tutoring sessions, extracurricular activities, and field trips. A grandparent or other relative can often be a big help in this area.
-
I have the financial resources to buy curriculum for
my children.
Contrary to some opinions, it does take money to homeschool. You will need to purchase curriculum, technology (computers, printers, etc.), lab equipment, and school supplies, as well as provide money for social and extracurricular activities.
-
My spouse (and/or custodial parents) and I agree on
homeschooling our children.
Besides the
fact that it is extremely difficult to homeschool
without agreement, it may lead to DHS getting involved
because the spouse or custodial parent turns you
in for neglect. This happens occasionally in divorce
situations, so good recordkeeping is ESSENTIAL!
-
I
love to read and enjoy learning myself.
If
you love to learn, you'll instill that love in your
children. If you don't, maybe you will develop it
as you teach your child. This is another area in which a relative or private tutor can be of help.
-
I
am able to maintain control of my children in the
home.
This
is extremely important. If you have difficulties
in this area, get help first. Even if you hire a tutor, your child will be home all day instead of at school.
-
I
am committed to work on a schedule and complete
tasks as needed.
Again,
extremely important. Your schedule doesn't have
to be like the school's or your neighbor's, but
you do need a schedule and to be able to complete
tasks.
-
I
am willing to make the commitment to homeschool.
Make
it one year at a time, up until high school. After
that, I recommend making a four-year commitment. NOTE: High school is not
the time to pull your teen out of school, especially if your
teen is not in agreement. Too much depends on his/her
motivation, and it can be difficult
to get a homeschooled child back into public school.
Homeschooling
is a wonderful alternative for many families, and its
success has become well documented. However, it is
NOT a miracle worker.
It does not guarantee that your child will graduate early,
get a full scholarship to college, obtain a super job, or
become someone famous. None of us are perfect. As parents,
we're not perfect teachers. Our children are not perfect students.
But with the right motivation, a good plan of study, and a
commitment to persevere, homeschooling can be a good solution
for many people. If homeschooling is not for your family,
look into alternatives such as switching schools, private
schools, private tutors, or online learning.
Recommended
Reading: 16 Greatest Mistakes
Homeschool Moms Make.
*Sources
of information for Homeschool Timeline:
1. The Right Choice by Christopher J. Klicka.
2. The American School 1642-1985 by Joel Spring. 1986
by Longman Inc.
3. Can’t Buy Success by Marvin Olasky, World Magazine,
May/June 2001. Pgs. 7-14.
4. Our Schools in War Time and After by Arthur D.
Dean. 1918 by Ginn and Company.
5. The Special Educator's Book of Lists by Roger Pierangelo,
Ph.D. 2003 by John Wiley & Sons. pgs. 2-22.
Go
to Getting Started in Homeschooling
(top
of page)
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