I believe the choice to homeschool shows a true commitment and dedication to one's child(ren), not to mention much needed patience and dicipline. If a parent truly has their child(rens)'s best interest at heart I believe they should be able to have the final decision in the approach of their education. I have a neighbor who has home schooled her two boys up until the oldest graduated from H.S. and was able to obtain a football scholarship because he played football for the local public H.S., and the younger brother is currently a sophmore in a charter school. I asked my neighbor why she chose to homeschool and she reiterated many points that Jennifer brought out in class. My neighbor stated that she checked into the public and private schools but they didn't encompass all three of the components of an education that she regarded important:1)academics, 2)spiritual emphasis, and 3)cultural enrichment/awareness-as far as pertaining to a young black male. She chose to home school because she had an "awakening, where God said this is what i needed to do for my children." She went on to tell me that it benefited her because:1)it allowed for stronger social skills with adults, 2)it allowed for hands on activities (she utilized many of the methodologies presented in class), 3)a freer spiritual but serious approach to education, and 4)allowed her teach her Christian values while living it on a daily basis. This correlates with Jennifer's presentation as well as that of the article Home Schooling Grows where it was cited "the biggest motivation for parent's to teach their children at home has been moral or religious reasons."
As far as whether these homeschool children should be given access to services provided by the public schools (i.e. extacurricular or auxilarry services in the form of OT/PT/SLT or PE)...I say why not? Why deny these children any opportunity to socially interact with their peers? more than likely,these will be the same children they'll be playing with in the neighborhood. This is where apportioning responsibilitieas between famalies and the local school or school district must be held accountable equally. School districts should allow homeschoolers to be a part of the school community and be involved as much as possible. When there are activities (i.e. field trips, sporting events) parents would have to be mandated to be present, accountable, and sign a waiver of responsibility on the part of the school or staff members. The waiver would be implemented to protect staff. After all, they do not know these children, their personalities, let alone whatever issues. People are also choosing homeschool to keep their children safe! As Brian presented last week in class school violence and among children in general is on the rise. We see it in the media everyday...look at Success Tech H.S., Columbine H.S., or Virginia Tech!
As pointed out in the article Amid Hard Times, Home Schoolinh Famalies Persist "people are looking to homeschool as an alternative more in light of economic circumstances." My neighbor, an administrative educator, worked during the day so she collaborated with another homeschooler who also was a Christian educator that worked in the afternoon. My neighbor taught math and social studies in the afternoon while the other mom taught music and science in the morning. It was even brought to my attention that one of the superintendants of Warrensville Height H.S. homeschooled the gradson and allowed/encouraged interaction between the public schools and homeschoolers. Many school district discourage homescooling because that is additional funds that is being lost per day for educational purposes from the state. I believe that's called per diem. Therefore, that child is viewed as a lost in working capital.
Between the class presentation, talking to my neighbor and other homeschoolers I admire and support these parents and agree with the statement "these famalies are already sacraficing-when times get tough, there's no belt left to tighten. These are famalies who homeschool because public education wouldn't serve the needs of their child," and parent's can't afford private education, as Mary's report indicated.
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