Making Wise Choices
Educational choices abound. That’s a good thing. And it’s a bad thing. The more choices we have, the more decisions that have to be made. Decisions require evaluation,
and evaluation requires a measuring rod.
Trying to make decisions without a standard of measure is frustrating and confusing. Trying to make godly decisions without a godly standard of measure is foolish, maybe
even dangerous. That’s why this month’s newsletter encourages you to have a written vision and goals for your home training. Once you have that standard of measure, you
have a framework for making wise decisions.
The next step is to decide which teaching tools or training methods will help you fulfill your goals for your children. Whatever you decide, chances are you will be able
to find resources and curriculum to fit. The choices are almost overwhelming. The same holds true for alternative education programs.
Frank Herbert, an American novelist, cautioned: “Seek freedom and become captive of your desires. Seek discipline and find your liberty.” That idea is why vision and goals
are so important. When faced with so many options – so much freedom of choice – we can be pulled here and there by our varying desires at any given moment. How many of us
have purchased curriculum because it looked good at the curriculum fair or someone recommended it, and it turned out not to work for our family?
A written vision and written goals offer the discipline – the measuring rod – that enables us to enjoy the liberty we have to raise our children at home and train them up in the
way they should go (Proverbs 22:6).
When we consider any option, curriculum, or outside activity, the determining factor must be how it enhances our goals and learning objectives. The following questions
can help us make that evaluation.
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Why are you really considering this activity? Is this really something you cannot accomplish in your learning at home or as a family?
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Are you motivated to add this activity because of “socialization?” (What are your goals for the development of social skills in your children? Proper manners, being
able to speak articulately with people of all ages, learning to be gracious in the company of others, or learning to have a servant’s heart? What character qualities do
you want to nurture in your children? Will they learn these qualities in a group of their peers?
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Does this activity enhance what you are studying or will be studying soon? (Field trips can be a great way to introduce a topic so you can build from there.)
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What can your children actually learn from this activity? Is this just for fun or a change of pace? If so, is it worth the disruption?
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What time of day does the activity take place? Is it worth the interruption to your daily/weekly schedule? When evaluating this aspect, also consider the preparation
time – how much time is required getting ready for this activity (including preparing lunches, taking a younger sibling elsewhere, driving time, etc.)? How does the
cumulative time compare to the actual amount of time your children will be engaged in “learning?” Now what is the real value of this activity to your home training efforts?
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Is this activity age-appropriate? Will your child be able to pay attention and participate appropriately for this activity? If this is a group activity, think long and
hard about this. Most children have a difficult time focusing their attention when they are involved in something that they don’t understand or they aren’t interested in.
Add the fact that you will be with a group of children and you have the makings of an exercise in crowd control and discipline – which often becomes more of a learning
experience for parents instead of the children.
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Is this activity well-organized and well-directed? Is there appropriate parental participation and/or oversight?
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Does this activity take away from your family time or your participation in and support for our local church?
As parents who have chosen to teach our children at home, we need to consider carefully any outside educational alternatives – including co-ops, supplemental classes, drop-off
classes, dual enrollment, college courses, online courses, public school classes, and private tutors – since these automatically take away from our time at home.
In addition to the questions above, here are some items to consider. Your answers can help you evaluate whether these options enhance or undermine your vision for raising your children at home.
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Who is teaching the class? What do you know about the teacher’s credentials? What do you know about the teacher’s core beliefs and worldview? Does the teacher have a resume
on file with the coordinator of the co-op or alternative school?
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Will the class consist of students who are being homeschooled as well or are outside groups allowed to participate? If so, what is the orientation of the other group? Does their orientation enhance or undermine the values, attitudes, or core beliefs you are trying to instill in your children?
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How many students are participating? What is the student-to-teacher ratio? Will your child get the individual attention needed to learn the material?
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Do the teacher and coordinator have a proper understanding of what homeschooling is? Teachers should respect parents and understand that as the one responsible for your child’s education, you are subcontracting them to support your goals, not their agenda. Likewise, as parents, you need to understand that you are entering into a contract with the program and/or teacher, and need to explain to your student that all of you will be submitting to the teacher’s authority and expectations for completing the course successfully.
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What exactly will be taught? What are the learning objectives of the course? Does it fit your objectives for the year?
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Do the course materials reflect your family’s values, orientation, and worldview?
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When and where are the classes held? How often will they meet and for how long? How does this impact your home education plans and your overall family life?
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Is there a standard of behavior and achievement that everyone is expected to abide by? Is it clearly communicated to all involved? Is there sufficient contact information and open lines of communication between the teacher and parent?
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What is the fee for the class? Are there additional fees for projects, supplies, or related activities? What books or supplies are the students expected to purchase? How does this impact your family budget?
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Are parents allowed to remain in the classroom during the class? If so, parents should sit at the back of the room and remain quiet. You are there to observe only. Any issues a parent has with the teacher, course content, or classroom management should be discussed with the teacher discreetly and respectfully outside the classroom.
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If this is a co-op, what exactly is expected of the parents? To teach a class, baby-sit for younger children while other parents teach, administrative tasks, or assisting in some way? What is expected of the parents needs to be figured into the equation when counting the cost in time, energy, and finances.
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How well is the program organized? Is there timely and sufficient communication, information, and messages? Is the necessary information provided to both the parents and students?
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Is there opportunity for feedback to be given to the teacher and program coordinator? Teachers should provide a survey at the end of the course giving parents and students the opportunity to evaluate their learning experience and provide input.
The opportunity to raise and educate our children at home is both a gift and a responsibility granted by God. We need to be faithful stewards and choose wisely. This time with our children is precious and passes much more quickly than we can imagine. We have the liberty to build a deep and lasting relationship with one another and with God. May we carefully and prayerfully consider how to make the most out of this opportunity.
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