Education Options

It is generally easier and wiser to avoid hot topic issues. At the same time, my summer has been completely consumed by working with parents who are trying to decide what route of education they will utilize for their children given the pandemic.

One of the encouragements I would give parents was, “The decision of if you are going to home educate your kids is 20 times harder than the actual process of home education. Once you make the decision, one way or the other, you will feel much better.” You know what I am talking about – walking the tight rope of which way to educate has been terribly painful for many families.

I was telling my cowboy the other day that I would estimate I have worked with (either texted, emailed, called or visited in person) with about 120 families this summer alone asking me questions about homeschooling. There were three more just today. I have hosted two Homeschooling 101’s in my home where I discussed the nuts and bolts of educating our children and had over 45 people in attendance between the two gatherings.

I have been asked many of the same questions and just in case there are a few more of you out there, I want to go over a few of the logistics of home education.

The very first step, for any family, is to answer, “Why are you going to use this education method?” The Bible calls all parents to direct the education of their children in Deuteronomy 6:5-9 with the key being verse 7. Look it up… that would be good for you. Particularly as a home educating parent, you need to know your “why” because on the hard days you will look back and need to remember why you are choosing this route.

The next step is to figure out how to legally home educate in your state. Nebraska has a mountain of paperwork to fill out. Coloradoans can home educate using one of three methods: 1) be a certified teacher (easiest route, but few fall into this category), 2) file of a Notice of Intent to home educate (to any district in the entire state) or 3) register with an Independent School. Most online schools are not actually home-based education systems but really public schools online. Know the difference.

Once you’ve figured out why you are choosing this method of education and figured out how to legally do it in your state, THEN there a few truths that you need to hear:

First, you are capable of teaching your children. You do not need a certificate to do that. You taught them how to walk. You taught them how to talk. You taught them how to ride their bike. This didn’t change when the time began to teach them their ABC’s or how to read. The Lord did not give you these children because you are underqualified. Hear that truth.

People will say to me, “I could never teach them Algebra.” Okay… then teach them that learning lasts a lifetime… Even mom or dad could still learn Algebra. You may not like it, but it is possible. Or don’t teach Algebra.

This cuts to core, but just think about these questions: Did you take Algebra in school? Is it a valuable class? Do they really need to take it to be successful in their future? Why are you sending them to the same system, that makes you feel under-qualified to teach them, if you didn’t learn it there either? I say these things as a person who actually really enjoys Algebra and taught it in public school. Even Albert Einstein is credited as saying, “Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.” I am sincerely not trying to bash public schools, I just want you to think about these questions and answer them for your family. It is well above my pay grade to answer these for you.

Second, I will be told, “I am not patient enough to teach my own children.” YOU ARE CORRECT! Neither is the teacher in the classroom, but we are all trying to improve that virtue no matter our location. I thought I would really be able to work on character training when we began our “formal” journey of home education. WRONG! That was just a part of what was happening. The Lord was refining my character – in the form of patience, among many others. There is nothing like being with your own children all day long to know if our cup is full or empty.

Maybe your children don’t listen to you. Again, that is a much bigger issue than education. Look up John 10:2-6 – they should know your voice. They should be obedient. That is a heart issue that needs worked on above many things.

If you don’t like being around your kids all day long then you DEFINITELY need to spend more time with them. Raise people you like being around. If you have trouble with your relationships, then again, you need to spend more, not less, time with your kids. How on earth can you work on those things when you are not together?

Wait a minute! I never told you what curriculum to use… Learning is so much bigger than subjects. Freedom, time and space are powerful tools for learning. Curriculum is just one tool to use when educating children. It is true that children don’t care what you know until they know that you care.

You are responsible for your child’s education whether you do that at home or if they head off to school. You need to know what they are being taught wherever that occurs.