Posted on 08/22/2002 10:39:37 AM PDT by asneditor
Like the politically active Christians described by a Washington Post writer as "poor, uneducated and easy to command," parents who teach their kids at home instead of sending them to school are often characterized in the media as snaggle-toothed Deliverance types who are suspicious of education and want their children to read only the Bible.
Like a lot of media-driven impressions, this one is wildly out of whack with reality. The U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics has published the numbers based on the Parent Survey of the National Household Education Survey Program conducted in 1999. The reality is quite different from what the education establishment -- teacher unions and educrats -- would like us to think.
Do homeschooling parents distrust education? You wouldn't know it from their own educational levels. The researchers discovered that among homeschooling parents, 22.3 percent hold graduate degrees or finished a professional school. Among parents who send their kids to school, the corresponding percentage is 16.7 percent. Also, 25.1 percent of homeschooling parents have a bachelor's degree compared to 16.3 percent for non-homeschoolers and 33.7 percent held a vo-tech degree or had some college compared to only 30.2 percent of parents who send their children to school.
In only one educational category did the homeschoolers show a lower percentage than non-homeschoolers. While 36.8 percent of non-homeschoolers had a high school diploma or less, a mere 18.9 percent of homeschoolers were so educationally deficient.
Income wise, homeschoolers are not exactly standing by the roadside with a "Will Work for Schoolbooks" sign. In the $25,000 to $50,000 range of household income the survey located 32.7 percent of homeschoolers and 30.3 percent of non-homeschooling families. They found that 19.1 percent of homeschooling families earn between $50,000 and $75,000 compare to 17.1 percent of hon-homeschoolers. At the top end, over $75,000 a year, non-homeschoolers shaded the homeschoolers 19.2 percent to 17.4 percent. Non-homeschoolers also had a higher percentage at the bottom of the income totem pole -- 33.5 percent compared to 30.9 percent for homeschool families.
The income comparisons should be viewed in the context of another important number. In only 27.9 percent of homeschool families are both parents working compared to 45.9 for non-homeschoolers. Families composed of two parent, with only one of them working, made up 52.2 percent of homeschool families and only 18.6 of non-homeschooling families of which 45.9 percent had both parents earning an income. The risky situation combination -- only one parent who is forced to hold down a job, prevails in only 11.6 percent of homeschooling families compared to 28 percent for other families.
While homeschooling is frequently associated with Christian fundamentalism, the Department. of Education survey notes that because of recent growth in the practice, homeschooling is "reaching a broader range of American families and values."
This is reflected in the reasons families homeschool and discovered by the researchers. Religious issues were cited by only 38.4 percent of homeschooling families while 48.9 percent thought their children could get a better education at home.
Also, contrary to a lot of popular opinion, only 12.1 percent homeschool because they object to what the school teaches. The survey was done in 1999 when the number of home-schooled children was estimated at 850,000. It if it were done today, that number who object to what the public school teaches, as well as the total number of homeschooled kids, might both be higher since some public schools have seen fit to instruct in Islam since Sept. 11, 2001 and the promotion of homosexuality has become more blatant since 1999.
In the last year alone, both Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family, a popular Christian radio show, and Dr. Laura Schlessinger, have both urged parents to remove their kids from public schools. According to an article in Christianity Today, parents are heeding that call. Marshall Fritz, head of the Separation of School and State Alliance which advocates ending government involvement in education, reports that after Dobson's broadcast some 6,000 people declared their support for his campaign.
The head of a homeschool group near Fresno, California, the magazine reports, has been contacted by close to 50 families interested in joining the group because they're "tired of hassling with the school system."
Homeschooling is catching on among the best and the brightest.
Actually we started reading to her in the womb. I read the Chronicles of Narnia to her then. Tonight we read some more of the Bible as she was having her good night bottle. Reading the Bible to her is something that I'm working on.
Both my wife and I are readers and have a good library. My only concern is that she reads to the extreme like her cousin. I've never thought someone could read to much but taking 4 hour showers while holding the book out of the shower so you can read is a little much!
Every day with my daughter is the greatest adventure of our lives.
Semper Fi!
WOW well at least you'll know where she is huh? maybe sometimes we just gotta letum be kids too but its great that you read to her in the womb thats cool we just worked so hard during my wifes pregnancy we didnt think of that but all turned out well so far
This year I have to work full-time. Finding a job in our area, with the job market as it is, is hard enough. But I insisted on only taking what I felt God was leading me to, and said that God knew I strongly believed in homeschooling my kids. PHEW! Did that complicate the job hunt! I had some offers I had to turn down. God brought one and I started this week....working for BankFirst! PTL! I am going to be working 2:30-11pm after the training is finished. PTL, I can homeschool the kids in the morning and then go to work! GOD IS SO GOOD!
After 5 yrs, my parents still don't get it. But that is ok. I see what my children are like, versus those put out by the local school. I see the curiousity and thirst for learning my kids have! I hear the thrill in their voices at new discoveries. That is all the understanding and thanks I need. I don't care if the rest of the family, or community ever get it....my kids do! :-) Blessings on your year!
That sounds harsh, I know. I truly hope that your situation with your folks settles out; it was uncomfortable for me with my family until I was firm (but gentle), so I sympathize. You prayed for God about homeschooling, and he provided an answer. You prayed for God to provide a solution to your employment woes, and He has. Continue to seek His wisdom, and don't doubt that He has lead you in the right path.
You are doing the right thing, and we home educators support you and your husband in what you are doing! So does God! So, go forth, and know that you are doing the best and most right for your children.
Blessings on you and your family.
I have been HSing for 8+ years; switched to classical ed a few years ago. My children are taking classical courses over the internet, but I will be doing most of my son's instruction this year. He is a bit young for the rigors of the classical online classes. Next year he'll take more of them.
I am structuring his Great Books class this year; it will include Beowulf, Le Morte D'Arthur original by Malory, Spencer's The Fairie Queene, The Song of Roland, etc. He will check the historical period surrounding the book, and write a one page paper on the historical perspective of the book before reading it, and a book report about it after reading it. We are also studying Astronomy this year, with lots of nighttime observation and reading of Copernicus, Keppler and Galileo for historical significance.
Our daughter is taking Biology online, with ful labs here at home- we purchased full microscope and dissection kits, that make it easy. For her supplementary reading and research paper, who will read and research environmental overkill and the loss of common sense.
As you can tell, we are very excited! I also wanted to put this out here, for parents to read and discover. It CAN be done at home; even and especially high school homeschool.
No public school, and very few if any private schools, provide this type of education; it is vastly superior to anything out there, and here it is- right at home!
Blessings on you and all who home educate.
I was Home Schooled from grade 5 on and I plan to Home School my three boys.
I thank God for the choice of my parents, it gave me a jump start on my peers and has been a determining factor in my early successes in life.
It doesn't sound harsh. It is true. It would be nice if the rest of the family understood, supported, and assisted....but for me that is not being realistic in my situation. I am not going to allow their inability to understand to keep me from doing what I feel God leading me to do, however. I am leaning on the Lord! There are many circumstances in my /our lives right now that require just that! "what is impossible with man is possible with God" Luke 18:27! Standing and believing! The exciting part is waiting and watching to see how God will move in all these areas, and work His will! Have a great day in the Lord, all!
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