Should parents without a degree teach homeschool?

No

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by Keen Johns

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In order to answer this question with any real meaning I think that we should be aware of the inference within the heading, that graduates are the best people to teach in a homeschool situation.

Whilst studying this topic I find myself asking the following questions.

1) In which discipline was the degree obtained?

2) Was the degree followed by a teaching qualification?

3) Why was the degree sought in the first instance?

Firstly, just what is a degree? To which the answer is. A degree is the formal recognition of advanced achievement within a defined discipline, this could be in English, math or one of the sciences etc.

In order to undertake a scholarship at university certain criteria needs to be met in order to ascertain the basic abilities of the potential graduate. Although the guidance for determining this criteria is set at a national level, there may be regional variations or even variants set by the individual university for entry-level qualification. The point here is that although a particular subject is the ulterior aim a potential candidate needs to demonstrate by qualification a good workable knowledge and ability to apply the key skills, the essential foundation for advanced learning.

Having stated that of course, in these days of equality of opportunity there are ways in which candidates of lesser ability can gain assistance if they have the initial determination to undertake the advanced study.

The culmination of this first section is that a graduate comes through with the ability to communicate, to weigh things up (math) and of course a proven ability to practice within the chosen area of expertise.

With this knowledge in hand, let us revisit my list of questions at the head of this article.

1) In which discipline was the degree obtained?

Apart from the essential skills of communication (oral and written) and math, the graduate holds certified proof of competency within the disciplinary area. If the discipline is not in English (or whatever the language of nationality), or in math, the holder of the degree has three competencies of proven value. Of course if the degree is within communication or math, then there are two competencies implied, one of which, is the subject of the degree.

The question here is, what competencies does the graduate have to pass on to others? Whereas in a school situation there is a collection of persons with such proven qualities in many essential areas of expertise. A child in the school situation has a wider library from which to obtain qualified information in many subject areas.

In a home school situation, how is the graduate parent going to provide the essential, additional subject matter effectively for the purpose of providing a rounded educational experience for their child, an educational experience that satisfies the national criteria relevant to the curriculum.

2) Was the degree followed by a teaching qualification?

Teachi ng techniques are themselves a specialist area. The fact that someone has proven vocational abilities does not by any means signify an ability to impart information to another effectively. For this reason, if a graduate wishes to pass on their knowledge to others, they need an additional teaching qualification.

At this stage the graduate is now qualified not only within their preferred vocational area, but also to teach within that specialist area. But, do they now have the ability to teach in areas beyond their own specialist field? Of course the answer is no, all that has changed is the graduate is now qualified to teach within the area, to, (generally, though exceptions may apply) the level beneath their own qualification in any discipline. Assuming that a degree is a level four qualification, a graduate with the additional teaching certificate could teach up to a level three qualification.

It is of the utmost importance that someone in the position of teacher gets it right, otherwise a young scholar could so easily be left confused if the subject matter, and /or teaching methods were defective.

Be under no illusion, confusion in an early stage of development could well be the seed of failure, a seed that feeds on diversionary acts such as character (attitude) problems. Acts that divert the attention of others from ones own deficiencies.

3) Why was the degree sought in the first instance?

In the main, people go to university for a specific purpose, that is, to improve their earning power in order to have an opportunity to live a life for themselves and immediate family as close as possible to their idea of Utopia.

Assuming that I am right in the former paragraph, would it make any sense at all for the graduate to ditch those years preceding graduation to stay at home to teach their children, or would it be far better for the graduate to go out and earn that extra income, in order to send their child to a private school of their choosing.

Summary.

So, where does the non-graduate stand on this question? It is by far best to leave the subject of teaching to the learning establishment. To a collection of graduates who individually have the knowledge that is required to fulfil a specific unit of the curriculum, thereby as a team the whole curriculum can be covered efficiently and perhaps more important, effectively.

Where does the non-graduate stand in this picture? In short, in more ways than one, well outside of the school gates, alongside the graduate would-be homeschool teaching contender.

There is a whole lot more that children learn in a traditional school situation other than the basic curriculum, like citizenship for example. In a homeschool situation of course the child will meet with adversaries, but in this situation these obstacles can be avoided simply by inserting space between the self and the problematic party, all that is achieved here is the hide away solution to life's problems. Whereas, in the schoolyard these problems are in your face' and need corrective action. This instils a sense of reason to a problematic situation, a good foothold to becoming a responsible and considerate citizen throughout life.

If the choice to homeschool is because of problems within the school environment, then this should be resolved, The child should see that this is taking place, it's not good for a child to see a parent running away from problems, consider what they are being taught here.

Should parents without a degree teach homeschool? No, and graduates need to give this serious thought also.

Consider this. How many graduates would a homeschool situation need to effectively cover the national curriculum, is the cost to advantage ratio justifiable?

To chose to homeschool in a specific discipline is a whole new question.

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