If you find yourself connecting with
a parent at the local playground and come
to learn they homeschool their kids, four
questions that might pop into your mind
are: “Aren't you worried they will lack social
skills?”, “Won't they fall behind?”, “Are you
qualified to teach them?”, and “Don't you
want them to go to college?”. These are the
four questions that most seasoned
homeschool parents dread being asked
(and they will be asked), not because we
don't like talking about it, -on the contrary,
but because all too often, they are masked
in judgement. The truth is if you visit any
The Truth About Homeschooling
By Windy Fama
homeschool Facebook group, you will find hundreds of posts asking
for guidance, and for each question, at least a few dozen more well-
intentioned answers from parents that have never set foot in a
classroom as a teacher. Keep scrolling and you will eventually find
that cry-for-help/I'm ready to throw in the towel post from yet
another parent that feels like they're getting it all wrong. This is what
homeschool looks like. It is hardly the perfect process of education,
but it is the most organic one.
Traditional classroom schooling is the status quo for K-12
education in the U.S., but just because it's conventional doesn't
mean it's ideal or even necessary. The four burning questions about
homeschooling are familiar to every homeschool parent. After all,
they relate to the four key developmental components of education:
social-emotional development, teacher development, curriculum
and instruction, and college readiness. So how does homeschooling
account for these vital building blocks? By personalizing a learning
experience that encompasses all vital educational components.
Homeschooling isn't about replicating school at home, which
is what we experienced during the pandemic, when online
instruction was structured, and social distancing was required. It's
quite the opposite. Homeschooling is a social experience where
students connect with and relate to other people inside and outside
of the family, --which answers the first question: No, we're not
worried about their social skills.
The popular belief that homeschooled children have less
opportunities for social interaction is as much a misconception as
the assumption that all students in brick-and-mortar schools are
actively engaged in meaningful and productive friendships and
group activities during school hours. Homeschoolers strive to
develop social skills by interacting with individuals of various ages in
real-life situations like grocery shopping, organizing outings, and
volunteering. They also engage in group field trips with other
families, local clubs, sports teams, community programs, and
tailored social experiences just like traditional students do after
school.
No, they won't fall behind.
The second question of falling
behind academically is not exclusive to
homeschooling, but a common concern of
every parent, teacher, school administrator
and policy maker. Historically, the concept
of 'falling behind' is based on performance
assessment which fails to consider
individual student readiness and growth
beyond standardized testing. Moreover,
the concept assumes that each student
should achieve a standard within a given
timeframe without consideration of factors
that impact a student's readiness to learn.
This stands in stark contrast to educational equity. An individualized
learning needs approach that encompasses student culture and
emotional well-being is the cornerstone of academic success.
Homeschoolers understand this. We also know by experience that
learning and progress are not linear, and setbacks are a key
component of the process.
Historically, the concept of 'falling
behind' is based on performance
assessment which fails to consider
individual student readiness and
growth beyond standardized testing.
Yes, we are qualified to teach them (even though most of us don't
have a teaching degree).
Technology has revolutionized education, making knowledge,
content, and resources more accessible. K-12 classroom teachers
leverage technology to facilitate student learning. This requires
training and expertise in a comprehensive classroom setting that
caters to a wide range of learning needs and abilities with cultural and
background differences. Let's be clear, it's an insurmountable
challenge, especially when high expectations and complex policies
intersect with the teaching-learning process. By contrast,
homeschool parents focus on child-centered learning and rely on
research, textbooks and other resources, community, hands-on
opportunities, and specialized collaboration with subject tutors and
other professionals, not only when the target content or skill exceeds
their know-how, but to introduce new perspectives. Successful
teaching in any form requires collaboration, and this is something
these brave parents in Facebook homeschool groups know all too
well. (Continued to page 7)
Feature
IW Learning & Living Gazette, May 2024 - Page 3
