I have heard from public school educators about their “proof” that homeschooling doesn’t work based on the “failure” they see.

As you pointed out, many times they are not witnessing failure at all, just something different than an institutionalized student, who we’ve come to assume is the only standard of norm. (I totally agree on the “teaching to the test”). I taught school for a few years. It didn’t really matter if the kids learned anything, as long as we kept those test scores up! What a deception to the public.

Because they have seen two or three children who may not have done so well, they lump the whole hs community together and toss it all out. That’s like looking at the statistics of people who died in a car accident because they were wearing a seatbelt, and then assume to wear a seat belt is not safe. It’s just absurd.

One will find “failure” in anything…because a failure can be found, does not mean by any stretch that a thing is therefore destined to failure.

Look at the public school institution… do you know how many failures come out of it?

I was asked over and over by the administration to “pass” seniors who could not even read on a third grade level, who had failing grades. And I had many students in that same boat.

What those educators need to see are the thousands of incredibly successful homeschoolers…intelligent, well-adjusted, highly communicable, diverse, mature, and prepared for “the real world”!. They are everywhere–I know them!

Didn’t mean to go on so long…more on this topic in a post!

“You only see your children in your home. We see all the failed attempts at homeschooling when those children reenter traditional education settings.”

And how do I respond? Well, being an educator myself, I do what comes naturally. I educate them.

I first ask them what it is about the formerly homeschooled children they encounter that convicts them of a failed homeschool experience. It’s usually the same “stuff”;
-they “aren’t even up to state standards” (ie. not on “grade level”)
-they don’t know how to “function” in a school setting (ie. they don’t know how to be the next duck in a row.)
-they’re back in school so clearly mom discovered she should leave the teaching to “real teachers”.

I then ask, “Is it possible that there are other reasons beside a failed hs experience that would require a parent to return their child to traditional education?” Finances. Illness. A homeschool plan that always intended to be limited (ie. only homeschooling through 3rd grade).

I also point out that “grade level” is not necessary in homeschool. Rather, we have the benefit and opportunity to meet our student right where they’re at, challenging them and encouraging them based on their individual needs and not some forced “state standard.” And frankly, “gifted” and “remedial” programs speak volumes to the fact that one size does not fit all children anyway. So, I ask if it’s possible that what they perceive as “failure” (due to not being on grade level) could instead be evidence education based on the child and not on state standards (don’t get me started here about teaching to those tests and how rigid THAT is or why it’s so crucial for districts to succeed on them.)

As for “functioning” in a school setting, I remind them there’s no reason for Jane (former homeschooler) to have learned how to line up for lunch or raise her hand to answer questions, etc. And I trust Jane will be on board with that in no time at all, since it IS necessary for order in an institutionalized setting.

So basically (and I apologize for the novel here), I do try to get traditional educator friends to consider that they are not always (or even usually) seeing failed homeschool experiences. I also encourage them that they will best be able to help these former homeschool students to transition into their classroom if they can in fact grasp and embrace what I’m saying.
Blessings,
~toni~

I am a homeschool Mom of 7 too. Our oldest daughter graduated in 2006. We homeschooled her from 1999 forward. I wish I had started schooling her at home from the get go but alas, we did not until she was in the 4th grade. We didn’t even know about homeschooling before then. It was some dear friends that encouraged us to homeschool and I am so thankful to them for showing us the way and to God for bringing them into our lives to show us that way.

We currently have a 3rd grader, a 2nd grader, a Kindergartner, a Pre-K 3 yo, a Pre-K almost 2 year old, and a Pre-K 9 month old. Learning doesn’t just start at a certain age and stop at another… it is a life long process.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and I have bookmarked your blog to come back and read more as you post more on homeschooling.

God Bless You!

In HIS Hands,
Laura

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