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News Item URGENT UPDATE - IMPORTANT ISSUE August 2011 |
Riddle: When is homeschooling not homeschooling? The answer may not be as obvious as you think. With homeschooling gaining popularity, the public school
systems and other alternative education outlets are taking note of lost revenues and looking for ways to latch onto the homeschooling market.
One such attempt in Michigan is luring homeschoolers with marketing promises of free computers, Internet capabilities, and unfounded promises of access to high school sports. And other states are following suit. How does this impact families who have taken on the responsibility of educating and training their children at home? More than you think. The issues raised could change the face of homeschooling. To help the homeschooling community evaluate this and similar alternatives, we asked permission to reprint a letter written by a veteran homeschooler of over 12 years who founded one of the first homeschooling support groups in Southeast Michigan and still serves as one of its leaders. Debbie Rossi also conducts workshops on Getting Started and Homeschooling through High School, as well as consulting with and mentoring young mothers and families. She and her husband, Paul, direct the homeschooling sports program in the area as well. The original letter was in response to an email written by a concerned homeschooling mother. An Open Letter to Homeschoolers From a Veteran by Debbie Rossi Yes, we have been following this new development and a couple similar situations around the state. I hope you have a few minutes for me to share my thoughts. The fact that you are questioning this is a very good thing. This is giving you the opportunity to re-evaluate WHY you chose to “homeschool” in the first place. Those reasons are your “vision” and are absolutely necessary in order to make wise choices for your family. In order to determine if this is right for your family or not, it is really imperative that you understand WHY you brought your children home to teach them in the first place. Personally, I believe that because we have called it “home school” we left ourselves open to the emotional tactics used in marketing, and we started focusing more on the “school” part rather than the “home” and family part. I think the plethora of curriculum over the past 10 years or so supports this fact. The basics that children need for a solid foundation for life-long learning have not changed – just the delivery methods have changed and been marketed big-time to schools, the homeschool community, and even the church. Because raising our children is so intensely emotional for us, most of us have lost sight of WHY we brought our children home from school (or never sent them) because we have been impacted by wanting the “BEST” for our children. We have neglected to renew our minds to what the Lord was really calling us to do – His BEST. We were pretty clear in the beginning because there weren’t many choices and we all stayed pretty tight in supporting one another with prayer, encouragement, and sharing what we were learning and what the Lord was teaching us. But over the years we have all been tossed to and fro with doubt when we saw all the “good” stuff and “best” stuff advertised at conferences, in magazines, and online. If it is one thing that Moms are good at it is the dangerous Game of Doubt. (And this is how big money is made in the marketplace!) In order to determine if your homeschool freedoms are at risk, you need to understand what your freedoms are---what do you appreciate about having your children home with you? Yes, it is very hard, time-consuming, sacrificial work---but what have been the benefits and blessings of that choice for your family? What is your definition of “freedom?” What is your definition of “free?” (This would be a very good lesson for our children to learn and understand, too.) Regarding the new online options, here are our thoughts---and they are shared by many families teaching their children at home, especially veterans:
I am sure that the online academy options will be a viable option for many families, especially those who simply want their children out of the school building and out of the school culture. It is very important for parents to do their own due diligence and research any virtual academy they are considering and the resources the academies are incorporating into their system. In Michigan, many are using e2020, Aventa, and Plato. I would also research K12 because they were the first to bring this public option into the state of Michigan last year. Parents need to ask lots of questions. Again, this is our viewpoint on the subject. I hope you glean some wisdom from it that will help you in making decisions for your family. I just want to encourage you, too. You have many more children than I did so you have and will be on this journey of raising your children much longer than I. I know that you are weary and doubts come in like a flood at times---hang in there!! Stay connected with people who will pray for you and encourage you along the way regardless of the educational options you choose. “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:9 I would also appreciate your views on all this. The more we share and discuss, the better our understanding will be. In His Grace, Debbie 1455 Words To view more 'News Items' Articles please 'Log In' and visit the 'Achives' page. |
