The latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores are out, and the results are shocking. Only 37 percent of eighth graders are proficient in reading for grade level, and only 35 percent of eighth graders are proficient in math. The results for inner-city schools are much worse. Results in Detroit, for instance, show only five and seven percent proficiency in math and reading. * From these statistics, I’d come to the conclusion that the government (public) school system is failing – miserably.
Add to that an agenda that seems to pop up here and there in stories told around the nation – students forced to pray to Allah; innocent children taught that they might be a “boy” when they are physically a girl – things like that, and the common core curriculum. I’m sure you’ve heard plenty of them yourselves.
I believe that homeschooling is the best method of teaching a child. If that’s not a possibility, then a church-based private school, a combined group of homeschoolers, or even a charter school are worthy alternatives.
Parents are the ones who are responsible for the upbringing and training (education) of their own children. The government (“state”), more often than not, believes otherwise.
California is a prime example. California, in the past, has often led the way in changes that come across the nation. Currently, the state government and homeschoolers are at odds, in a big way. One bill would reform education in the home to require that families open their homes to social service agents multiple times a year, allowing them to come into their homes to look around for no reason other than the law would make it so. Another would require that homeschooling parents must undergo mandatory teach certification and training programs, which would more than likely be such a burden that it would be impossible to comply. Other states have varying requirements that are becoming more onerous all the time.
At least one online school would provide a solution to the pervasive government creep that is undermining homeschooling across the nation. Freedom Project Academy offers teachers who are professionally trained but share the classical and Christian aims that motivate traditional homeschooling families. They partner with parents without seeking to coopt them with mindless oversight and needless regulation. Classes are given live, but also recorded so they are available 24/7, which offers the homeschooler flexibility in time scheduling. Tuition runs $2200 a year, K-5; and $500 per class for 2 classes a week, 6-12; $650 per class for 4 classes a week, 6-12. Financial assistance is available.
Every state has a homeschooling organization (Washington State’s is here), so it’s easy to see the requirements for any given state.
Homeschooling students perform better academically and are more prepared for university level work. I’ve spoken with many instructors at community colleges and universities who say they’ll take a homeschooled youth any time over one from a public school, because they have to place many of the public schooled young people into remedial classes just to get them up to a high school level education, ready for college classes.
(*Some information quoted from Dr. Duke Pesta, AOF/FPE/FPA)