Are Parents the Best Teachers?

Are Parents the Best Teachers?

By Kathy Carlton Willis
For The Sunday Challenger
feedback@challengernky.com

Homeschooling Viable Option For Some in NKY

There are many reasons parents today choose to homeschool: special needs, desire to teach religious beliefs, accelerated learning, less expensive than private schools, as well as issues parents have with public schools in their district. Parents in Northern Kentucky find that the state is homeschool-friendly.

You will find as many varieties of homeschools as there are homeschooled students in NKY. Some have detailed lesson plans and use a set curriculum. Others choose to unschool - meaning they encourage the child's own curiosity to encourage learning experiences, rather than a lesson plan. Leslie Gosser of Independence said she and her husband allow their 6-year-old "to learn what he wants and as in-depth as he wants to learn...He is interested in many different subjects, so the majority of his day is spent writing stories, reading, doing math and learning foreign languages." Many parents set up small libraries for their children or frequent the local libraries. Some belong to co-ops or other homeschool groups so the children can participate in group events.

ADVERTISEMENT



Advertise Here | Ad Directory
Homeschooling is not without difficulties, according to the parents involved. Several mentioned they felt overwhelmed that they would not do as well as the "professionals," yet they felt confident it was their God-given responsibility to make sure their children were educated with both scholastic and faith-based lessons.

Family Learns Together

Tammy Overton homeschools her six children, who range in age from 5 to 17. They originally decided to homeschool because private school was too expensive. She uses materials from Bob Jones University Press as well as the American School, in Chicago. She said the positive results of homeschooling include better family structure and togetherness, the children helping each other, an improved daily routine and less competitiveness.

"There are less influences from unchurched children who have different values than we teach our children (such as purity and not drinking)," Overton said.

Patty Haubner, of Covington, homeschools her 11 children.

"We wanted to be the main influence on our children's lives," she said. "We choose what works best for our children and also what supports our worldview. What works for one may not work for another because they have different learning styles. That is what is so great about homeschooling. You can pick the books that will work the best for each child and the child doesn't have to try to conform to a curriculum that he is struggling with just so that he can stay up with the class."

Haubner mentions a variety of extracurricular activities that help her children socialize, as well as further their education, including field trips, science fairs, spelling bees and speech competitions. She is also involved in a 20-family co-op. They have three classes available each week.

"We want our children to share our faith and our values," Haubner said. "Not just go to church, but to really believe what we believe and to know why we believe it. We want to be that example of how to live out our faith. We want to disciple our children and not just teach them."

Life After School

When asked if homeschooling is a hindrance for students who want to go on to college, the parents interviewed indicated that their children have tested higher in college placement tests (such as SAT and ACT) than public or private school students. In the past, homeschooled seniors often had to get their GED to help with college acceptance, but now that is considered inferior to a homeschool diploma.

"My oldest son graduated last year and was accepted everywhere he applied, with no difficulty," Haubner said. "Ten years ago, it was much more difficult for homeschoolers to get accepted into college. Now they are being recruited!"

Angela Hogan of Verona mentions several reasons why she has chosen to homeschool her three children. Private school tuition was getting expensive, and she seemed to spend all of her time driving to school, then back home and doing homework, with no time left for family. Now the children do school work during the day, and have their evenings free to spend together.

Though Hogan says there are good days and bad days with homeschooling, the results have been worth it. It has required a great deal of commitment and discipline, and the homeschool teacher must be very focus-driven.

"You can't slack off, or procrastinate, and say 'we will do this tomorrow," she said.

Hogan loves the way "interaction with the kids turns into discussions." She said especially with her teen boys - at a time when they could become distant or defiant -homeschooling has drawn them closer together.

"There is no 'what did you do at school today?' questions at the dinner table followed by replies of 'nothing much.'" she said. "Now they really talk."

Well-Schooled

Homeschooling isn't for everyone. Anyone considering this option for their children should consider the following pros and cons before making their decision. Currently only 22 states in the United States require standardized testing of homeschoolers. Kentucky is not one of these states.

Pros

* Customized education

* More family time

* Family values taught

* Pressures of peers, competition, boredom, and bullies avoided

* Improved communication between parents and children

* No busywork

* Well-rested children

* Life skills learned by example

Cons

* Demands on time and finances

* One parent often gives up career and income

* Being with children 24/7

* Limited extracurricular activities and sports

* Socialization concerns

* Living outside of the norm

* No quality control

Email this story | Print this story















Copyright © 2005, Challenger Communications, LLC, Covington, KY, USA
One of the Corporex Family of Companies