A recent survey indicated that Home Schooling is on the increase, especially among black folk. What is your opinion regarding Home Schooling?

Blessings

Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, September 10, 2001

Answers

I can see the merits of homeschooling. The child is already in a familiar surrounding and loves the teacher(smile). I am a stay at home mom and considered the advantages of homeschooling. I am still uncertain as to what I will do. My children are learning everyday and I could easily transform that into a more structured setting.

However, I did not look at homeschooling from an African-American perspective and would love to hear thoughts from other African- Americans regarding the subject.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Homeschooling has been a wonderful experience for us, I encourage you to check it out. The Home School Legal Defense has a quarterly "Court Report" their Jul/Aug 2001 issue was titled: The New Pioneers; Black Home Schoolers. 6 families were interviewed, I would think you could get a copy if you called them, (540) 338-5600.

-- Anonymous, September 17, 2001

Cassie,

How old are your children and when did you start homeschooling?

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

We've home schooled our children for years now. My son is 14 and hasn't been in a regular classroom since 2nd grade. My 10 year old daughter has never been to school. We use Abeka cirriculum, and are involved in our city home school group. We're extraordinarily pleased with the results. Our kids are well adjusted and strong in the Lord. My sister also home schools her children.

We did it for the same reasons most do it: Protection from other people's poorly raised and often violent children, protection from non-Christian doctrines taught by sometimes radically liberal teachers, and protection from teachers unions and strikes.

Added benefits are the ability to set our own vacation schedule, and concentrate on areas our kids struggle with. Our school day is also rather short compared to most schools. This is because a lot of a school day is wasted time. When the goal is achieved, we're done.

We've taken a year by year approach, though we know others who vow never to put their kids in school. As I look at my son I think he's strong enough to handle public high school. He needs some teachers other than his mom, and he needs to learn to handle himself in the world. I'd also like him to have a state issued diploma since it makes life less complicated down the road. Not everyone recognizes diplomas issued by home school organizations. The important thing is we got him past the tender years. We also have the option of pulling him out and re-starting home schooling if it doesn't work out. You have to evaluate each child.

Home schooling is not for everyone. It seems that home schoolers either succeed or fail spectacularly. Stories of failure are heart rending, and can involve terms like "nervous breakdown". But having gotten to know many successful home schoolers I think the one word that describes them all is "dedicated". This is an extraordinary group of people, and often they're not highly educated. But they are willing to sacrifice and do whatever it takes to make it work. They feel the stakes are high enough to give it their all.

-- Anonymous, November 24, 2001