One might be surprised to learn that the largest influx into the homeschool field today is professional teachers. The reasons they give are very interesting.
- In the 1960s, teachers had more of a say in what happened in their classrooms. However, the government has more control these days. It is important to know that the Vietnam War taught us that the war cannot be won from the White House. Also, the teacher, who is in the trenches (metaphorically speaking) knows what her children need. Unlike the bureaucracy, She sees them as human beings and not as statistics. Heck, school lunches were even so much better in the ’60s.
- Teachers rightly complain that they must now teach their children to pass government-required tests that force them to sacrifice teaching the basics.
- Class sizes have become so large that children are being taught to act like robots rather than individuals. Teachers are forced to teach as one size fits all … they are less able to individualize their curriculum.
- Play and recess time is being reduced. Many teachers complain that this creates stress and forces youngsters to fit into unhealthy and unnatural molds.
Teachers are getting very upset when blamed for the increasing decline of America’s public school system, and few people are listening to “those in the trenches.” It is more likely that the fault lies with the government bureaucracy. Is it any wonder so many teachers choose to homeschool their own families?
Most homeschool students outperform public school students on college entrance exams. Obviously, most parents are doing something right, whether they have teaching credentials or not.
Are there any sad stories about children not getting a proper education in the homeschool setting? The answer is yes, but there are more such stories in the public school system. Government intervention is not a solution. Parent awareness and involvement (“those in the trenches”) is the solution. That is the case whether one has children at home school or in public school systems.
This is not said to impose an impossible burden or even blame the parents. I say this to empower parents. The solution to today’s education comes remarkably from you, the people.
