GenHome
I think there's something intriguing afoot, but no one seems to be acknowledging it. Or are they? Let me know if I'm wrong, and if this has been reported on extensively.
What I am calling "GenHome" is the group of young men and women who were homeschooled in elementary and/or high school and who will be moving into positions of power over the next 10 years or so. Perhaps they will be the fulcrum of a movement that heals our national political rift. Who knows?
Homeschooling is not a new phenomenon any more, and homeschooled students are earning full rides to college and are, oftentimes, better prepared for the rigors and expectations. This site provides data on homeschooling test results and overall academic success compared to typically educated peers, and it is pretty remarkable.
Homeschooling, in my opinion, is also breaking free of its stereotype. To quote a line I came across recently in my research, homeschooling mothers are not all, "conservative Christians who hate the government and wear denim jumpers.”
Now, to be fair, I don't think there's anything wrong with those qualities, but I do take issue with the "denim jumper" remark. Sweat pants? Okay.
I'm not necessarily thinking about it for myself and my children. Yet. But I'm thinking about thinking about it. I'm pretty content with the education my two daughters receive at their public schools. But, as a former teacher, I feel I could do quite well by them myself. My oldest daughter is an avid reader. She'd sit on the couch and read for 45 minutes or more by herself. And do that three times a day. I want to foster that quiet time, that opportunity for focus, instead of making sure she has those required 20-minute blocks of science, Spanish, gym, recess, music, art, etc. jammed into her 8:15-2:45 p.m. school day. I could be a bit more flexible with those elements, couldn't I? We could spend a day at a farm and then spend a different evening at an orchestral performance.
Listen, I haven't thought it through -- really, at all -- for myself or my family. But I want to hear your thoughts, your experiences. What have you heard? What are your impressions of homeschooled students? Do you think GenHome could influence our future?
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Re: GenHome
I met a few home-schooled students at Dartmouth and two facts struck me about them: 1. they came across as more mature than the average student and 2. they were a little bit aloof socially.
I too am fascinated by the homeschooling phenomenon and would love to know more about how home-schooled students adjust socially once they leave the home-schooled environment and enter college.
Oh, and: I am a proud owner of a pair of denim jumpers. If you're gonna wear it, you gotta own it.
Jul '10
Re: GenHome
Two words: Tim Tebow.
Actually, there's a lot of evidence to suggest homeschoolers adjust well socially.
We're considering it for my son. He's tested very well and is quite bored in school. The problem is teaching someone on that side of the bell curve. He finishes assignments in no time and then gets into trouble. It's a familiar story to me, and I think it's a waste of his time to be in a private school if they are not able to give him special attention or assignments. This is his 2nd school and it's obvious that the problem isn't him.
Jun '10
Re: GenHome
With a team approach, with maybe three families, one parent teaching English and Spanish, one parent teaching math and geography, and another teaching art and history, for example, it seems like it would be the ideal learning environment. What's hard is, one parent teaching everything.
Jun '10
Re: GenHome
Emily Esfahani Smith, Ed. : ... 2. they were a little bit aloof socially.
I too am fascinated by the homeschooling phenomenon and would love to know more about how home-schooled students adjust socially once they leave the home-schooled environment and enter college.
Ricochet for Kids - an educational and socialization resource brought to you by the same folks that made Ricochet the premier site for center/right discussion and analysis
Re: GenHome
Hi Etoile, you know, this is initally how I thought of it, too. But a homeschooling mom I spoke to (who does have a LOT of kids) said that can sometimes cause the same problems you are looking to escape. I mean, if you are supposed to get your kids to Molly's house at 2 p.m. for Spanish, then maybe you've got to cut short the awesome nature walk you are on, or something. To me (and, again, I have no idea) one attractive element is that you can let the kids' interest or lackthereof guide the day much more than a lock-step kind of thing you would get in school. Thoughts?
May '10
Re: GenHome
I was homeschooled but in another country. I'm not sure if that counts. However, my experience wasn't so rosy. My parents, although being professional teachers in the U.S., tended to leave me to my own devices a lot of the time. I didn't really enjoy the experience, actually. I longed to go to school with other children and have recess time and play chase with the boys and get in dust ups over some trivial issue. But, alas, I was consigned to doing my schoolwork alone in the converted maid's quarters (basically a little room with a bathroom). Whenever the next year's curriculum arrived, I'd toss aside the old curriculum and dive into the new one. So, I never quite finished 4th, 5th, and 6th grades.
I guess the best thing I learned about being homeschooled is self-sufficiency and trying to figure things out on my own before asking for help. However, I think that's more a product of my personal bent than my upbringing. The key to successful homeschooling lies in parental commitment.
Edited on Sep 22, 2010 at 9:35amJun '10
Re: GenHome
Ursula Hennessey
Hi Etoile, you know, this is initally how I thought of it, too. But a homeschooling mom I spoke to (who does have a LOT of kids) said that can sometimes cause the same problems you are looking to escape. I mean, if you are supposed to get your kids to Molly's house at 2 p.m. for Spanish, then maybe you've got to cut short the awesome nature walk you are on, or something.....
It's sad, but kids also have to learn, eventually, to be slaves to the clock. It shouldn't come as a complete shock someday, when their first college class starts on time and ends on time.
May '10
Re: GenHome
My wife homeschools my children, a boy of 11 and a girl of 8. We participate in a homeschool co-op that gives them some classroom experience and also supplies them with most of their close friends. This arrangement seems so obviously superior to the alternatives--academically, socially, morally--that my wife and I have never regretted it.
We're in Ann Arbor, which has a large, diverse homeschooling subculture. There's almost no stigma against the kids in this town.
I see this as part of a (small) step toward a future where the typical educational path, mostly or totally at public institutions, is no longer the default, but is chosen only by those who really need it (or want it). My dream is that my kids get a superb education through less traditional (and less expensive!) means. I expect them to attend university, but I hope they don't, and that a better route opens up before they get there.
The status quo is unacceptable. The educational system is a monster. Let's smash it.
Re: GenHome
Michael Tee: Two words: Tim Tebow.
Actually, there's a lot of evidence to suggest homeschoolers adjust well socially.
Sep 22 at 7:42am
Did NOT know about Tebow. Fascinating. Thanks for sharing that. And, yes, I have seen the research about socialization, also. Although, I have to admit, anecdotally I have heard differently, more along the lines of what Emily describes. I wonder if the people judging the socialization are also adults, and not peers. It's a tough thing to measure, I would say. But I'm learning. I wonder about the socialization piece, but, as Fredo points out, there are many, many homeschooling communities out there that are quite vibrant.
Re: GenHome
FeliciaB: I was homeschooled but in another country. I'm not sure if that counts. However, my experience wasn't so rosy. My parents, although being professional teachers in the U.S., tended to leave me to my own devices a lot of the time. I didn't really enjoy the experience, actually. I longed to go to school with other children and have recess time and play chase with the boys and get in dust ups over some trivial issue. ... The key to successful homeschooling lies in parental commitment. · Sep 22 at 9:33am
Edited on Sep 22 at 09:35 am
Ugh. This makes me a bit sad, Felicia. When you say parental commitment, what do you mean? What could your parents have done differently to change your experience? More one-on-one? Or, was it not possible to overcome your longing for "proper" schooling, do you think?
May '10
Re: GenHome
I think the socialization issue is one that simply needs to be addressed deliberately through sports teams, clubs, scouting, etc. Kids need to be able to a) interact with kids that are not home-schooled; b) as they get older have a sense of what going to school might be like, so that at the age of reason they can feel free to make that choice.
If you are thinking of doing it, know that there are publicly-funded options through K12 Inc. (the Bill Bennett founded company) and Connections Academy. This gives you some help and structure (not not too much) and materials.
May '10
Re: GenHome
I attended public schools and never knew anyone who was home-schooled. So that's my perspective.
I spoke with my brother recently about what he'd do when his young boys reach school age. He basically said we turned out alright with public education because our parents always asked what we were learning and got involved. My dad is a walking encyclopedia.
Ironically, the main benefit of home schooling is probably social. Public schools, and even many private schools, have rejected the classical belief that schools must be involved in moral education. It's ludicrous to think that people who watch over your kids and demand their full attention for half of every day, throughout each year, will not have an influence on your children's characters and fundamental beliefs.
Even when your kids come home from school, how much of your time is free to devote to them? On average, I'd say teachers have a child's attention for as much or more time than parents in a typical day. More important than any knowledge are habits of thinking and behavior.
May '10
Re: GenHome
I agree. If I had kids, I would homeschool them but also ensure they are always involved in social clubs. Of course, some clubs are more expensive or time-consuming (for parents) than others. Sports require a lot of driving, game attendance and practice time.
My parents also forced us to play outside every day possible. Exercise, sunshine and time with nature are good parts of a daily routine.
May '10
Re: GenHome
My wife (mainly) and I homeschooled our 5 children K-12. Four enlisted in the military (the fifth is blind and developmentally disabled so the military was out).
Random thoughts:
Some useful links:
It's an oldie but goodie, a Cato Institute paper on homeschooling that provides good background: http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-294es.html Don't omit dropping by Home School Legal Defense Association www.hslda.org And HSLDA's link to links http://www.hslda.org/orgs/ It's doable, especially for someone of Ursula's attainments. Feel free to contact me offline nikki4th at yahoo.com.
Re: GenHome
My daughter is in the ice skating world where there are lots of home-schooled kids, giving them lots of ice time. Here's two interesting perspectives:
1. A famous couch of Olympic champions preferred working with kids from traditional schools. Because they didn't have endless ice time, they were more focused and achieved goals quicker. Their time management skills were excellent. You can flip that around...learning to accomplish tasks in limited classroom and homework time is important as we enter an even more competitive workforce.
2. Another mom noted how her home schooled daughter was happy avoiding drama of middle school. That is not a good thing. While I hated middle school and suffered there, it taught me resilience and how to work through difficult situations. As for less than brilliant teachers...it's a glimpse into the work world.
Organized sports and clubs are largely over-supervised by adults. Kid-to-kid, interaction, cruel as it can be, is invaluable. Parental guidance in these situations is how you teach your values.
That being said, if your schools suck, get the hell out.
Edited on Sep 22, 2010 at 10:46amMay '10
Re: GenHome
Middle school scars most of us for life in ways we often aren't even aware of. It is especially damaging for girls (Rosalind Wiseman "Queen Bees And Wanna Be's"). Some of us never really get over it. I'll argue that on balance a child is much better off avoiding it, whether a government school or private school.
And yes, if your schools suck, do get the hell out. Don't waste your time trying to reform them, that's a years long process. You might help some kids, you won't help your own.
Re: GenHome
Nick Stuart
Middle school scars most of us for life in ways we often aren't even aware of. It is especially damaging for girls (Rosalind Wiseman "Queen Bees And Wanna Be's"). Some of us never really get over it. I'll argue that on balance a child is much better off avoiding it, whether a government school or private school. · Sep 22 at 10:50am
To be honest, I've never even thought as far as middle school. I had a horrendous, painful middle school experience that may or may not have scarred me. Hard to tell. Part of me agrees with Denise, in that the experience could help and set the groundwork for future problems. But for me, at least, I never got good at dealing with bullies. You'd think I'd be an expert by now, but, frankly, I'm miserable at it. Also, personal problems related to mean girls and cute boys certainly distracted me from really learning anything. Not that my teachers were any good anyway. Hmm. Lots to think about ....
Re: GenHome
Denise Moss: Because they didn't have endless ice time, they were more focused and achieved goals quicker. Their time management skills were excellent. You can flip that around...learning to accomplish tasks in limited classroom and homework time is important as we enter an even more competitive workforce.
Edited on Sep 22 at 10:46 am
Hmmmm. Interesting. I had heard, in contrast, that one of the great strengths of homeschooled students is that they are much better focused, more independent, and more thorough in completing tasks. Good to think about all sides, I guess.
Re: GenHome
Nick Stuart: My wife (mainly) and I homeschooled our 5 children K-12. Four enlisted in the military (the fifth is blind and developmentally disabled so the military was out).
Random thoughts:
Some useful links:
It's an oldie but goodie, a Cato Institute paper on homeschooling that provides good background: http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-294es.html Don't omit dropping by Home School Legal Defense Association www.hslda.org And HSLDA's link to links http://www.hslda.org/orgs/ It's doable, especially for someone of Ursula's attainments. Feel free to contact me offline nikki4th at yahoo.com. · Sep 22 at 10:28am
Much thanks, Nick. Your experience sounds fascinating on many levels. I may contact you as I get deeper into research. I have looked at HSLDA at some length.
May '10
Re: GenHome
Ursula Hennessey
I've never even thought as far as middle school. .... · Sep 22 at 12:59pm
You gotta be thinking 3, 5, or more years out.
Something to be especially careful to avoid is relaxing when the child turns 9 or 10 years old. By that time they can more or less dress and organize themselves, and they're no longer totally dependent on you. You breathe a deep sigh of relief and figure you can go back to whatever it is you think is more deserving of your time and attention. Several years go by, then GOOD GRIEF, what happened to that wonderful child I knew. Seriously, you gotta be with them the whole way. Parenting has no autopilot setting until they ship for Basic (as in my case) or I don't know when (in the case of kids who go to college).