If your children aren't back in school this week, they will be after Labor Day -- except for home schoolers who learn year round no matter where they are and what they are doing. When you live, eat, and vacation with the teacher, learning is a full time affair, which may be one of the reasons that home schoolers excell on standardized tests and outperform their public school counterparts by every measure.A recent report discussed in the Washington Times showed home schoolers, 1.5 million estimated by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), excelling in all areas:
The study included almost 12,000 homeschool students from all 50 states who took three well-known standardized achievements tests—the California Achievement Test, the Iowa Test of Basic Skills and the Stanford Achievement Test—for the 2007–08 academic year. The students were drawn from 15 independent testing services, making it the most comprehensive homeschool academic study to date.
The results reinforced previous homeschool studies conducted over a period of 25 years.
Five areas of academic pursuit were measured. In reading, the average homeschooler scored at the 89th percentile; language, 84th percentile; math, 84th percentile; science, 86th percentile; and social studies, 84th percentile. In the core studies (reading, language and math), the average homeschooler scored at the 88th percentile.
The average public school student taking these standardized tests scored at the 50th percentile in each subject area.
Home schooling is growing by 7% a year according to DOE and it's no surprise to me. As a former home schooling mom I can testify to its effectiveness. When you know exactly what your children are studying, you can relate everything to it. "Remember when we talked about camouflage in nature? See how this bug looks like a stick. He blends in with his environment."
The five years I homeschooled offered dozens of opportunities for fun learning from directing our homeschool drama club in The Tempest at the Folger Shakespeare Library's middle school festival, to walking the Gettysburg battlefield listening to a costumed docent describe her experiences as a nurse, to leading a pre-school "nature detectives" program with my daughter dressed as a snow goose or an indian or a farmer at harvest time telling the little ones about her experiences. There was plenty of work involved, but also a lot of fun. Jamie went from being a so-so reader in second grade to an excellent reader with study skills that made her sought out by her chums when she returned to the classroom later.
Consider home schooling especially for your little ones. Protect their innocence, help them develop critical thinking skills that will serve them for a lifetime, and keep your family together. My only regret is I didn't homeschool all my children at least for a time. Homeschooling fosters a close-knit family especially when the experience is grounded in prayer.
May all our children, no matter where they are, have a blessed and productive school year.
Public education has left even the most enthusiastic teachers dismayed. The problem is that No Child Left Behind has put too much emphasis on test results. There is little room for seizing teachable moments as they arise - like the camouflage bug example you gave. There is little room for teaching critical thinking and practical problem solving.
ReplyDeleteEducation needs more practical lessons. How many people change their own oil? How many people can do their own taxes? I wouldn't know if my mechanic was trying to pull my leg.
Home schooling is a great option, but many parents are not qualified to give a rounded and thorough curriculum. Nor are they available. Most families have two working parents. The sad part is that the people who are let down are the children.
A thoughtful comment.
ReplyDeleteWith regard to parents being qualified, studies show that parents who have only a high school education do well as teachers. "Rounded and thorough curriculum" are available from many sources; parents need not reinvent the wheel. Support groups and joint teaching are common in the home school community. Here in my town, a biologist taught the high school students science. A former theater major directed a drama performance. The children had the opportunity to take Latin, join a shooting club, study philosophy, and lots of other challenging subjects and extras.
Many two-income families could live on one if they were willing to reduce their spending. The cost of working is so great that often much of the second income is spent on commuting, child care, fast food, household help, etc.
My husband's dad provided for his family of nine children on a machinist's salary. They lived in a house with three bedrooms and one bath until his dad built a house (mostly with his own hands and help from his high-school aged sons). The kids never knew they were deprived and grew up with a lot of love.
Less stuff, lots of prayer, and more hands-on parental involvement is the prescription for a happy family.