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The term "un-schooling" is fairly new to the home-school community. It is a form of schooling like no other. Parents take the chore out of learning, and help their children realize that learning happens all day, every day, for an entire life time; not just in a classroom, or on a given topic. Curriculum is seldom used, and when it is it isn't followed strictly. Schedules are rarely adhered to, but when they are they are used for a guide rather than a rule. Grading and testing are almost unheard of; instead parents and educators focus on achievement and mastery.

So why did we decide do un-school? Whenever anyone hears of our decision, they always ask this question. I have given knee-jerk, reaction answers, such as; "It gives the kids more control over their own educational choices," or, "It helps the kids get into learning more." But to truly explain our decision, I have to go back several years and explain why we decided to home-school in the first place.

My brothers and I grew up in an environment that changed rather frequently. This caused us to change schools almost on a yearly basis. So I had the opportunity to witness and experience the "institution" of education in many different settings. My mother, however, remained consistent in her emphasis on education. She didn't rely on the schools to provide us with all the knowledge we would need for our lives. She thought outside of the box, so to speak, when it came to learning. If she had known about un-schooling, and had the courage and self-confidence, she would have raised us that way.

By the time my brothers reached middle school, she lost ALL faith in the system, so she pulled them out to teach them from home. I watched how much they grew in this short time. Sure, they were still teen-aged, rebellious boys; but they grew in self-confidence, as well as improved many of their "schooly" attributes. I was a Junior in high school at that time, and decided to pull myself out of the system. Mom wasn't prepared to lead me in the direction I planned on going, so I basically taught myself what I thought I needed to know.

I never got a diploma, so at 21; I decided to get my GED. I walked into the testing center, never had taken any classes to brush up, and passed every test with what would be a B or better; all within one week's time. At this time, I already had two young daughters, and I knew the system couldn't possibly offer them what I could.

To cement this in my mind, I watched my sister, and all she went through

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