If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard that statement since I began homeschooling my kids about 20 months ago, I would be a rich woman. We are fortunate to live in a state – Maryland – which has great public schools. Well, according to the standards set out for public schools, anyway. We also live in a county in Maryland with some of the best schools in the state. Schools that, arguably, rival the local private schools for excellence in education.
Why then, did I pull my kids out of the system and decide to homeschool?
That’s not a simple answer and I can tell you right now it’s not because I hate public schools.
I recognize that public schooling is one option, and it works for the majority of people in this country. You can’t beat the price – free – and overall it has become *the* standard for education in America.
I also recognize that MANY people use private schools, religious/parochial schools, and charter schools with great success. I wish all these parents and children well.
But, it seems, they feel threatened by my choice to homeschool. Why, I cannot imagine. I didn’t ask YOU to homeschool, and when I talk to people, I don’t even suggest such a thing, or imply that I am somehow superior. I know I am not. I am doing something that works for my family.
Do I feel that in ideal circumstances most kids would really benefit from one-on-one interaction with a single teacher and a curriculum plan that is tailor-made for them? DUH! Of course I do. I think that many parents who claim they could “never” homeschool would actually be brilliant at it doing that very thing. I also think some parents who currently homeschool should rethink that option. It’s true! I think some kids in public school would do better in private. I think kids whose parents fork over thousands of dollars each year for private school would do just as well in a local public school. I think what is really important for us as a nation, is to fight for is education choice.
I want to be able to teach my kids, to tailor their education to their individual strengths and weaknesses. I want to include aspects of education that are important to me, and will produce the kind of independent minds I would like to see in my kids. I want them exposed to the best artists, composers, poets and literature available. I want them to learn real history, and not just white and revisionist versions of history. I want their physical education needs to be met in a way that builds self-esteem at the same time it is building strong muscles, and possibly even creates a life-long interest. I want to spend quality time with my kids because I truly enjoy them and I believe we are knitting our hearts more closely together.
That’s why I homeschool. It has everything to do with what I want for my kids, and nothing to do with what you choose for your family.
When it comes to other education options, I believe that teachers should be paid what they are worth, and that better teachers should receive better pay. I believe that the tax money citizens pay the government to educate their children should follow those children to whatever school the parents want. Competition in education makes the entire system better, and promotes excellence. That is what I want for America. In addition, I want to be able to choose none of the above, and be left in peace to educate my kids. I don’t want to have to jump through hoops or ask permission for doing what is my right as a parent.
So, the schools may be excellent here, and I won’t argue with that. I agree with you, that as public schools go, they are first rate. I just don’t want to use them. I actually don’t mind spending all day with my kids, in fact, I prefer to. I love teaching them. I love everything about my choice. I am not asking you to do it too, I am simply asking that you let me be, and stop trying to push us back into the status quo. We don’t want to be like everyone else…
