An Opposite Type of Story - Reschooling

by Principal
(USA)

I have a sort of opposite type of story. I'm the principal of a rural elementary school in an area where homeschooling is very popular.

One day, a homeschooling mom with three students calls up. Basically, she has some issues and after years of happily homeschooling, she has to end it. With real terror, she is wondering is there any way that her kids can be protected from the "horrors of a government school." I'm a little amused, a little annoyed.

I invite her in, give her and her children a tour, and ask what she thinks. The kids all think that being in a "real school" (their language, not mine) looks great. She has to agree and says:

"You know, in my homeschool PSG, we hear all these terrible stories about government schools. I never expected to see such a pleasant place, with the children being treated so well, with so much stimulation, and such sophistication in education. In fact, we get in the habit of telling all these stories but most of us, are retelling stories about schools that we have NO first hand knowledge of. Our view of what happens in school is NOTHING like what I've seen here today"

Well, the kids have been in school now for several years and the mom and I are friends. She admits that her homeschooling friends feel betrayed by her decision and they absolutely refuse to listen to her feeling that the kids are getting a great education which, since she has volunteers and helps with homework, she feels very much part of.

My point is this. Your question reflects a mind already made up on the "best" way to educate a child. In short, a closed mind. I think the point is choice and flexibility and that, slander and propaganda from either side of the fence, is to be avoided.