Why
Homeschool?
or
Education Doesn't Have to be Boring
by
Manfred B. Zysk
Parents
homeschool for many different reasons. But, there is one common
thread with all homeschooling parents: public schools do not provide
the environment of learning that these parents want for their children.
My
own interest in homeschooling started when I was in public high
school. Throughout grade school, and continuuing on through junior
high and high school, I was bored with school. There was far too
much repetition. In grade school, I spent a lot of time helping
other students to learn and many times I refused to do (or more
correctly, redo) the same schoolwork over and over again. There
were a few exceptions here and there, where teachers made learning
challenging and fun. I wasn't the type of student looking for easy
courses and grades. I took all of the advanced high school courses,
like American Literature, English Literature, Latin, all of the
science, math, and history courses that were available in high school.
My
family moved around a lot, and consequently, I attended four different
high schools. The last high school I went to for my senior year
frustrated me so much, that I seriously considered dropping out
of school. My guidance counselor (I didn't think she could do either:
give guidance or be a counselor) would call me into her office about
every six to eight weeks to inform me that I couldn't graduate,
because I was missing a required course. After going over my transcripts
with her each time, I would point out the descrepancy. This happened
four or five times. Instead of trying to help me graduate, she was
trying to find ways to prevent me from getting my diploma. By the
way, I graduated with fifteen more credits than was necessary.
I
read about the idea of homeschooling in my senior year of high school,
and I knew that this is what I wanted to do with my future children,
especially after my experiences in public schools.
After
high school, I started preparing for homeschooling, by amassing
my own personal library. I went to used bookstores and looked through
bargain sections of "new" bookstores looking for suitable
material; everything from how-to books, classical literature, history,
economics, and science. In the process, I began learning more than
I ever had the opportunity to do in public schools. Thanks to organizations
like the Foundation for Economic Education, The Ludwig von Mises
Institute, Representative Ron Paul of Texas, etc. (and the efforts
of people like Lew Rockwell and Gary North, who tirelessly promoted
these individuals and organizations) I got a better understanding
on how all aspects of our lives and institutions are interrelated
and intertwined, from some of the wisest people in post-Biblical
history; Ludwig von Mises, Murray Rothbard, Hans Sennholz, Frederic
Bastiat, to name only a few.
Before
my wife (Margaret) and I got married, she was a single parent with
a young son, named Bryan. While he was in the third grade at the
local public school, his teacher informed my future wife of problems
she was having with him. Bryan had never been a discipline problem
before, and now this teacher was having all kinds of trouble with
him. Margaret had to take time off from work numerous times to talk
to the Principal and the teacher. Several incidents happened that
revealed the real problem . The teacher claimed that Bryan was using
obscene language in class. After talking to the teacher, she admitted
that another student told her Bryan was swearing (it was a false
accusation). In another incident, the teacher claimed that Bryan
was "destroying school property". What he had really done
was break up a piece of barkdust on the playground. Then, the true
issue came forth. After meeting once again with the teacher and
the principal, they wanted Bryan to be in the "special education
program" for troubled youth, and interview with the school
psychologist to find a solution to the "disciplinary problem".
The principal gave Margaret an evaluation form that he wanted her
to fill out for the school psychologist. This form asked over twenty
questions like "Does your child play with their own feces?"
"Does your child wet the bed?" and "Does your child
play with their genitals?". Margaret was disgusted and refused
to answer the questions (and she saved the form for reference).
Another teacher in the school informed Margaret that the school
got additional funding from having children in the "special
education program", and they needed to pay for the new position
for the school psychologist, too.
Finally,
it all came to a head when Margaret noticed red marks around Bryan's
neck. Bryan explained what happened: The teacher had become angry
with Bryan and grabbed him by the hood of his jacket so violently
that she choked him and caused the red marks around his neck. Margaret
immediately scheduled a meeting with the teacher and the Principal.
During the meeting the teacher admitted that this accusation was
true, but the Principal dismissed any disciplinary action against
the teacher, because "she didn't physically touch him with
her hands".
Against
the Principal's objections, Margaret pulled him out of that school
and enrolled him into another public elementary school. After the
first three months in the new school, Bryan received two "student
of the month" awards, and his report cards mentioned how well
behaved and helpful he was in class. Bryan, of course, wasn't the
problem after all. Margaret homeschooled Bryan for a short time,
but as a single parent, it was very difficult.
When
Margaret and I married a few years later, and we both wanted to
homeschool. In the first year we found out how terrible the education
our son really had in public school. The reading method that he
was taught is called "guess and go". Children were being
taught to "guess" unfamiliar words by looking at the first
and last letters, and continue on reading. We were appalled. Our
son who had won several reading awards in public school, could not
actually read. Then we found out about his math ability. When he
was in grade school, the pupils never corrected their homework,
so they never learned from their mistakes. Here our son was a "very
good student" in public school, but he could not read and his
math skills were not well developed. Bryan had the much ballyhooed
"self-esteem", but he did not have the abilities that
were indicated in parent-teacher conferences or reflected on his
report card.
We
spent a lot of time in the first years doing remedial work with
Bryan, but he progressed very rapidly. He learned phonics and he
really liked math. Now, Bryan is really starting to enjoy reading,
and he is doing excellent in math.
We
became active in the local homeschool association, Clark County
Christian Home Educators, and eventually my wife became a co-chairwoman.
This, like many non-profit associations, has a library and other
materials to help its members.
Our
story is not unusual, in fact it is very common from what I have
heard from other parents. So, you don't have to settle for inferior
public school instruction, and there are many different options
available. After all, education doesn't have to be boring.
For
more information
December
20, 1999
Manfred
B. Zysk has been homeschooling for five years, with the help and
dedication of his wife, Margaret Zysk. They work with other homeschoolers
in Idaho.
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