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There is great deal of misunderstanding concerning home schooling. Some people think it hould be illegal, and all our children should be herded,like sheep,through the public school system. Others believe that if parents want alternative education,they should choose Christian schools or private schools. This is not alsways possible, as the cost can be prohibitive.

Homeschooling is made up of several different componets. Many parents choose to home school their children simply because they realize that this is the best possible education for their children, usually bar none. When one considers what our children are not being taught in the current public school programs, one does not have to do any real hard thinking to realizewhy may parents are opting for this viable,valuable alternative method of educating their children.

Some parents, devout Christians, feel strongly that God holds them responsible for their child's training. Although they realize that the way may not be easy, this is a decision that they feel tey have been called to make.

Many people, especially those who do not understand why anyone would choose to keep their children at home, often have a ditorted view of what home schooling could or should be. I home schooled twenty yers ago, and a frequent question was what was I trying to get away with? Nothing. Parents who choose to home school are no taking the easy route,indeed hme schooling is hard work, requiring much personal dedication, time and sacrifice.

There is much hype and concern surrounding the "socialization" of children who do not attend public or traitional school. Much of this is hogwash and posturing by politicians who wouldn't know the difference in a home schooled child in a public situation unless the child was pointed out to them. My oldest son was in special education for behavorial problems. He had developed great social skills, but coudn't read at nine years old. I mean he couldn't rea on a kindergarten level. I took him out of school, home schooled him for three years and taught him to read on a sixth rade level by the time he went back to school, this time in a Christian school. When he went back to public school years later, they said his emotional problems were too great for him to gradue. He went back to Christian school,took a difficult test and graduated. I have often said I wsh I had continued to home school my children all the way through.

Why all the controversy over home schoolng? I believe much of it comes from a lack of understanding over why home schooling exists. People don't understand home schooling,and what people don't understand, they fear.

Learn more about this author, Janice Day Sirman.
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