Homeschool Pros/Cons 2: Academics

So much for "rapid succession," eh?  

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From an academic standpoint, it's hard to argue that a public school classroom with 15-30+ kids can compare with the opportunities available in a homeschool environment.  For one thing, the class size can't be beat!  More important is the ability to tailor a curriculum, and the manner and speed in which you maneuver through that curriculum, specifically for the individual child.

Undoubtably, getting started with homeschooling is overwhelming.  I didn't remember just how intense it was, until I was recently talking to a friend who is considering homeschooling and the memories of feeling like I'd been thrown in the deep end of the ocean came flooding back.  I recalled my mind swimming with new ideas and concepts, many of which went against tenants I'd held and been taught as standard my whole life.  The learning curve is steep, as it is for most major undertakings.  Now that I have a few years under my belt, the jargon, concepts, and theories are relatively familiar and comfortable, and it's hard to remember that it wasn't always this way.

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As homeschooling has become more popular, the range of curriculum choices available has exploded.  In fact, the sheer volume of quality products borders on being a "con" of homeschooling, as trying to narrow down the choices to determine which is best for your child can be incredibly daunting.  I enjoy the planning and researching aspects, so this doesn't bother me.
Some homeschoolers prefer to use "pre-packaged" curriculums, most of which look very similar to what their child would be using in a public school environment.  I can understand the appeal of that, and totally support their choice, but I really love the ability to pick and choose what best meets our needs.  I feel comfort knowing that if the choices I've made for Aubree don't work for Bryce, then I can choose something different.

Along with the ability to individualize education, homeschooling also allows us to avoid certain public school curriculum trends that I find disturbing.  One of those trends involves the teaching of some secular ideas and ideals as "truth." The opportunity to integrate the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as much as possible into our learning is a major advantage, and is our prerogative as parents. 

Another, broader concern has to do with the current national movement towards "Common Core Curriculum (CCC)."  All research that I'm familiar with (plus common sense) suggests that kids do best when viewed as individuals with different needs, abilities, interests, and preferences.  While I can understand the reasoning behind national standards (the idea, for example, that third graders in Pennsylvania and third graders in California should all learn their multiplication facts), I can't understand the rationale behind trying to dictate such wide-spread conformity in what is taught, when it's taught, and how it's taught.

I wonder who is developing the curriculum and where their motivations lie.  I question the usefulness of having such rigid standards set for specific grades without taking into account natural variations among students and teachers.

Though my specific concerns may be those of a minority, I also know many teachers who balk at these moves toward standardization.  These teachers feel stymied and explain that as their districts move towards adopting the CCC, they lose more of their ability to teach effectively.  Not only are they told what to teach (usually geared towards a test) but also how to teach it, with little freedom to use their creativity or natural talents to reach individual children under their stewardship. 

While I was composing this post, I came across an article on this topic which was, ironically enough, posted by one of my very liberal former high School teachers.  Here's a short excerpt:

The development of plans, choice of lessons and the materials to be employed are increasingly expected to be common to all teachers in a given subject. This approach not only strangles creativity, it smothers the development of critical thinking in our students and assumes a one-size-fits-all mentality more appropriate to the assembly line than to the classroom. 

 On a related note, I don't "teach" to any test.  Starting in third grade Aubree will have to take the state required standardized test, but I don't care about the results.  I know how she's doing because I'm with her every day.  I'm more concerned about functionality and application than arbitrary numbers and percentiles.  

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Another benefit of homeschooling is the ability to move at our own pace.  When Aubree struggles, we slow down and stick with the concept until she understands.  When she already knows a concept, we move on rapidly.  One day, for example, she completed three chapters in her math curriculum because they covered ideas she had already mastered.  

It also takes us significantly less time every day to complete school requirements.  On an average day, Aubree spends about 3-4 hours on her school work (including spanish, co-op classes, and violin), and often that's only 4 days a week.  When she was in kindergarten, we averaged around 1 1/2 hours a day.  First grade was about 2 to 2 1/2 hours per day.
There is a lot of wasted time and fluff in a typical public school day that we avoid entirely.  I'm glad to avoid the wasted time, but sometimes "fluff" can be fun (art projects, themed days, read-a-thons, parties, crafts, etc.) and Aubree misses out on that.  Additionally, some activities, such as games or PE or music/singing, are better done in a group environment and we miss out on a lot of that too.

Since schoolwork takes a smaller portion of her day, Aubree has lots of "extra" time to pursue her own interests.  Frequently that means reading, but she also is learning to cross-stitch, likes to create art projects, and has ample time to play with her brothers and friends.
One of her friends is a book-lover like unto Aubree.  Since this friend is gone all day at school though, the only time she has to indulge in her passion for reading is right before bedtime.  Often her parents find her reading late into the night.  "But Mom," she complains, "I don't have any other time to read!"

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Most of the time we have a semi-functional routine and are able to move through our coursework fairly easily.  But, lest I paint an inaccurately flattering picture of the life of a homeschooler, I admit there are certainly times Aubree doesn't want to do schoolwork and there is weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth ... and Aubree can get a bit upset too.  

There are times when I don't want to "do" school; times when the idea of handing off the responsibility of teaching to someone else sounds beyond appealing.
We're in the habit of doing the bulk of our schooling in the afternoon when Thane is napping (he's starting to drop his naps, [boo hoo!], but Graham is starting to get more consistent with his naps, so maybe it will balance out).  Most moms know how precious the naptime hours are, and sometimes I resent giving those hours up.  Sometimes I think of the laundry-list of things I need to accomplish and just have to grit my teeth knowing that those things won't get done because of my choice to homeschool and my commitment to fulfilling that responsibility.

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Some argue that the teaching of children is better left to the "experts."  While I have the greatest respect and admiration for most teachers, significant research shows that homeschooled children consistently outperform their public schooled counterparts on academic measures.  There are a myriad of possible reasons for these results, but the bottom line is that being an "expert" does not guarantee a better outcome.

A surprising result of teaching Aubree has been how much I have learned (so much for the expert theory...)! Considering we've covered kindergarten, first, and second grades, I really wasn't expecting to have my horizens broadened, but I've learned so many fascinating things.  And seeing the look on my kids' face when they "get" something for the first time, or find the answer to a question, or accomplish a task they've been struggling with?  Priceless.

One hoped for outcome of homeschooling is that our kids maintain a love for learning and an ability to seek out learning opportunities on their own.  I've heard numerous stories from parents of older homeschoolers whose children first find themselves in a classroom with public schooled children (i.e. seminary, high school, or college).  "Mom!," these kids explain in confusion, "the other kids in my class don't listen.  It's like they don't even want to be there!"

Obviously, these stories are anecdotal and certainly don't apply across the board, but I've heard enough of them to make me wonder how and where public schools go wrong.  When do kids learn it's more about jumping through hoops than obtaining knowledge?  When/why do they decide they "hate" school?

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Balancing out the academic benefits, is the pressure of knowing that it's all on me.  If there is something Aubree or Bryce don't know, it's because I haven't taught them.  There is no one else to share the load or the responsibility (besides Mark, of course).  Occassionally I miss having an outside adult heavily invested in my child, but perhaps the more honest truth would be that it would be nice to have outside validations (parent-teacher conferences sound like a lot of fun).

Sometimes I worry that because they have the same teacher (me) year in and year out, they're missing out on the opportunity to experience different teaching styles.  Perhaps a different teacher could reach them or connect with them academically in a way I cannot.  

Also, there are certain subjects I love (like literature and history), but others I'm not as enthused by (like science).  I want my kids to have teachers who are passionate about the subjects they teach and can infuse some of that enthusiasm into their pupils.

Many of these concerns can be solved by getting involved in great co-ops and/or enlisting other adults (homeschooling or not) to help teach certain subjects.  But that takes extra effort and commitment.

Science experiment - making a motor (pajama day)

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Finally, there is a financial cost to homeschool.  Curriculums vary from free to uber expensive.  Since we get a stipend to cover these expenses, it's not a deterrant to us, but there are forces working to take these stipends away so it may become an added issue in the future.

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Some of you may be saying to yourself, "it's all well and good that you've covered academics, but there is more to public schools than reading, writing, and arithmetic!"

And you're correct.  I will cover the dreaded "Socialization" issues in my next Pros/Cons post.