One might be surprised to know that the biggest influx to the home school arena today are professional teachers. The reasons they give are very interesting.
- In the 60s teachers had more say so about what happened in their class rooms. However the government is more in control these days. It is important to know that the Vietnam War taught us that the war cannot be won from the White House. Likewise the teacher, who is in the trenches (metaphorically speaking) knows what her kids need. Unlike the bureaucracy, She sees them as human beings, and not as statistics. Heck the school lunches were even much better in the 60s.
- Teachers rightfully complain they must now teach their children to pass the government mandated tests requiring them to sacrifice teaching the basics.
- Class sizes have become so large that kids are taught to act like robots rather than individuals. Teachers find themselves having to teach as if a one size fits all…they are less able to individualize their curriculum.
- Recess and play time are being decreased. Many teachers complain this is creating stress, and forcing little ones to fit into unhealthy and unnatural molds.
Teachers are getting a bum wrap when they are blamed for the increasing decline in the U.S. public school system, and few people are listening to “those in the trenches”. It is more likely that government bureaucracy is to blame. Is it any wonder that so many teachers are choosing to home school their own families?
Most home school students out perform public school children on college entrance exams. Obviously most parents are doing something right whether they have teaching credentials or not.
Are there some sad stories about children that are not receiving an adequate education in the home school venue? The answer is yes, but there are more such stories found in the public school system. Government intervention is not a solution. Parent awareness and involvement (“those in the trenches”) is the solution. That is the case whether one has children in the home school or public school systems.
This is not said to put an impossible burden or even blame on parents. I say this to empower parents. The solution to today’s education is noticeably coming from you, the people.
