Edit: As I was interacting with a reader in the comments about this, I realized just how much I disagreed with the tone of the infographic I’d originally posted.
So, even though I appreciated some of the information shared in it (Homeschooling doesn’t usually make people socially inept. Yay!), I’ve decided to remove it. I don’t want to have a negative conversation about homeschooling…I want to keep it positive. My apologies for posting it without thinking about it longer.
Original Post:
Someone sent me this infographic, and I thought I’d share it with you since you all ask me a lot of homeschooling questions.
For the record, the tone of the infographic is more combative than I’d prefer (really, do we need to talk about taking down people who are educated differently than us??), but since it offers some statistics that answer questions I’m frequently asked, I thought it might be worth sharing.
I offer it up not to denigrate public schools (because with an involved parent, I think it’s quite possible to get a good education in public school), but rather to say, “Hey, homeschooling works too.”
Megg
Sunday 25th of March 2012
I'm glad that you're not trying to criticize public schools, even though I know that's not your style! When we have kids, we're planning on sending them to public school. I have absolutely no desire to homeschool, and I seriously doubt we'd be able to afford private school (plus the only ones I know of in the area are Catholic and we're not Catholic!) However, I have a coworker who spent the majority of her career working in Waldorf schools, and I can't even tell you how many times she criticizes our public school kids at work. They shouldn't be learning math this way, kindergartners shouldn't have homework, and on and on. It's honestly kind of offensive to me, because I don't criticize Waldorf schools, or homeschooling, or any other alternative schooling other than public. Anyway, all this to say, thanks for being open to the fact that there are other options that work just as well as homeschooling (and that there are other options besides homeschooling!)
Sara
Friday 23rd of March 2012
I'm glad you pulled the infographic, although for me it was a "so that's how you really feel" moment that un-did some of your painstakingly neutral and upbeat homeschooling posts . . . is the tone of the infographic how you really feel?
My children attend private Christian school and I don't have strong feelings about homeschooling either way, really.
Kristen
Friday 23rd of March 2012
Nope, it's not how I feel! That's why I put a disclaimer on it when I first posted it, and it's why I ended up taking it down (I should have gone with my gut in the first place!).
I know and love lots of people who educate differently than I do, and while I think homeschooling is the best choice for us, I don't think it's the best choice for everyone.
The only thing I stand unapologetically and unequivocally behind is the idea that homeschooling is an educational choice that is just as valid as more traditional options (a stand of mine that is frequently questioned and doubted. :) ) That's what I'm defending, and I don't want to do that by denigrating other people's choices (because I certainly don't like it when people do that to me!)
julia
Friday 23rd of March 2012
Of course having an involved, dedicated parent is the ideal situation for all children regardless of where their schooling takes place. I have taught many children of devoted parents who appreciated my positive influence on their children. However, it is possible for a child to receive an excellent public school education while living with a neglectful, selfish, immature, uninvolved and/or drug-addicted parent. I have loved, guided and educated many such young children over the past 25 years as a public school teacher. Who else is going to care for these children and give them some chance for a positive, happy and productive future? These are God's children too, and I try to quietly follow the example of Jesus every day in my classroom. We need the public schools.
Ange
Thursday 22nd of March 2012
I also felt the article had a negative tone. I know that isn't something you want to portray with homeschooling. I always really enjoy your blog regardless of topic, but this one did leave a bad taste in my mouth for some reason. I couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was, but I guess I wasn't the only one that felt that way. Thanks Kristen!
Jo@simplybeingmum
Thursday 22nd of March 2012
I don't homeschool. It's quite uncommon in the UK. In fact I personally don't know of one family that does. For me it's about the quality of the teaching, be that at home, state or private education. As with much of life - you do what you consider to be the best for you and yours - there's no right or wrong way only 'your way'. Comparisons are made through our own experience, it's autobiographical rather than objective. I've enjoyed the homeschooling posts immensely because although my Kids go to state school, they've helped me to consider what I can be doing outside the home to supplement their education and transition to adulthood further.