vassaltotheduchess:

a-tad-trad:

tradfems:

patron-saint-of-smart-asses:

did you know it’s possible to set up legal standards for homeschooling curriculum?

Homeschooling allows for more personalized methods of education that I know both myself and my brother would have GREATLY benefited from, not to mention many other kids. Kids learn at different paces and parents can often understand and better adapt to those than a teacher with little to no connection to the child could. And good homeschooling programs exist, and many even have groups to allow their kids to go out and make friends.

Homeschooling is also not at all like “unschooling”, which I would agree is pretty stupid and bad for the children and probably what you’re actually describing. But I find it just slightly scary to be told that I might have to give away my kids for 5 hours a day under penalty of law just because someone else doesn’t like it.

I’m a classroom teacher, and I like my job and work very hard at it. I try to differentiate my learning as much as I can for my students, but as much as try I will never be able to give every single student exactly what they need and it breaks my heart a little. So if a parent wants to homeschool their kids I say that’s awesome! Having more personalized education is a great thing for a child’s development. 

Classroom teachers do their best, and I’m not saying that one way is better or worse than the other but there are definite advantages to homeschooling that people often overlook. 

God bless you @a-tad-trad. We’ve just begun homeschooling, and the reactions we get from many people always make me a bit queasy. Every bit of encouragement helps, especially from a classroom teacher. Thank you!