Are We Seeing New Homeschool Trends?

Question

Do any other homeschool veterans see new trends in the homeschool movement? I have been homeschooling for 15 years and the proportion of parents wanting to come into homeschooling without cost and time commitments seems to have been birthed lately and is growing at an alarming rate.

I see it here in the questions posted. I see it in homeschool co-ops too. It used to be understood that if you participated in a co-op you shared in the labor and cost. I am finding a steady stream of new homeschoolers that are surprised when they are asked to help, yet they almost demand a seat in the co-op for their children.

I think some of the posts I have read here by the teens who want to go back to public schools are because parents are buying the curriculum and handing it over to their kids and telling them, "Here, learn it." They don't spend time leading and interacting with their kids in the homeschool endeavor.

What do you think?

Answer 1

I have been a supporter of the home schooling idea for 7 years.  We have only actually been schooling our son for 2 1/2 years.  I would love to find an easy way to teach him.  I know that schooling the way that we are forced to school is not the best way.  It is better than public school for our son, but it could be better if we were able to spend more time together.  We say that education is most important, but we are in position that other things push their way in and schooling takes second place.  We both took lower paying jobs for less stress and more home time; however due to medical bills and increasing prices of everything, we are stressed now about buying essentials and keeping our home repaired. (Mortgage free by the way)

Yes.  Many people, like myself, know that public school is not working for many kids.  Public schools are even realizing this and finding alternative ways of eduating.  

I think that my son should take more responsibility for his education.  He is so spoiled to being 'spoon fed' his education, that he doesn't seem to know how to pick up the spoon and feed himself.  ( I love word pictures.)

I have talked to veteran homeschoolers to find out when the love of learning will finally 'kick in' with him.  The reports that I have received is that with some kids, it doesn't happen.  

Well, I may not have answered your question about the trends, but maybe you understand a little more about the parents who really want a better education for our children and are grasping at whatever we can to make sure they get educated.   My son was starting the 8th grade and his education level was around 4th grade.   The standardized tests have shown remarkable improvement in the last 2 years.  He reads and understands what he reads and that is a major improvement.

We do not participate in co-ops nor do we have the money for boxed curriculum.  We use free and cheap resources.  I wish we could devote more time together because he is growing older everyday and our window of opportunity is getting smaller.  It makes me feel sad.

Sorry that this is rather disjointed, but my 'me time' is limited and your question caught my interest and gave me chance to express myself.  Thanks.

Answer 2

i agree. its been 10 yrs since i home schooled and it was prevalent then too. many parents don't want their children in public schools for various reasons but too they are either too busy to commit or don't want to spend the time homeschooling. many people think homeschooling is easy and the children just lay around and read while you the teacher relaxes and has fun all day.  but the reality is when you choose homeschooling it a life style change and everyone in your family is affected and has to commit to it or it won't work.  there will always be people who want to take the easy way out and not really do whats required unfortunately that is human nature and it seems to be getting worse as the years pass. for me i just stay the course. i was not in a co-op but i would point out at the very beginning or even have a 'mission statement' all the parents read and sign before hand stating that 'co-op' is short for co-operation and that means you all work together towards a common goal...educating your children and that means giving of their time, energy and sometimes money every once in awhile. its not right you and a few others bear that burden and it will do the others good to give and their children will benefit as a result

Answer 3

Sadly I think there ARE some people who think homeshcool is supposed to be "easy", as in no time commitment. They are WAYYYY wrong, but I think there are a few people who have the wrong reasons to do it

There are others who are passionate, yet (like me) had no CLUE how involved it was......it is such a learning process for child AND parent. Once I got into a 'groove' things got better, but it is severely overwhelming at first

Answer 4

its bad,students must be made mingle with other children and this will  give them some knowledge to be aware of how to move with others

Answer 5

I'm a relatively new homeschooler (4th year) and I've seen this trend too...I even have friends who are shocked when they find out that I work on units with my son (5th grade) instead of just handing him the curriculum.  I usually respond with some sort of "why wouldn't I?" statement.

Now, I don't do everything with him...there are subjects that he is really enjoying being independent in.  He might do 5 math lessons in a day, just because he feels like it, and he's really enjoying teaching himself Greek.  I'm there whenever he has a question, and I explain anything that doesn't make sense.  Those subjects, however, are his babies.

There are others that I develop lessons and lesson plans for, however, and we will do anything from read-alouds to full-blown units...and I get wierd looks from some other moms for that.  "How do you find the time?"  Well...he's my son.  I find it.

Now I'm not saying everyone has to do that - it's not always feasible, and not everyone's kids learn in that way.  Some do really well with workbooks.  Mine doesn't, so I teach according to his learning style.  I guess what I'm saying is that if we're going to homeschool, we need to make sure that our kids get the level of teaching and attention that they need, whatever that level might be...otherwise, we're not fulfilling our responsibility as their parents and their teachers.  It's not easy, by any means, but it is worth it.

Note...I think there's a difference between those who are stuck between a rock and a hard place - those who are doing their best but want to do more - and those that see homeschooling as a non-committal thing.  IMO, it's the second group that's being discussed here.  Homeschooling doesn't have to take every ounce of your lifeblood in order to work, but it does require effort on everyone's part.

Our homeschooling group has had to amend its bylaws to state that each member family must be accountable to its teaching standards - i.e., we are required to teach at least to the level of the public schools.  We don't have to teach according to the scope and sequence, or to the methods, but to the level.  We have to keep track of our hours and work, and we have to make sure our kids progress according to their abilities.

Good question!

Answer 6

now a days with all the school shootings i'd rather home school my kids.

Answer 7

I don't qualify as a veteran since we are only in our 4th year, but I think you are seeing several different phenomena.

  I've met several parents who pull out of a bad school situation with very little idea of the time and/or effort it may require to homeschool.  They are using it as a stopgap until they find a better school placement.  They seem to feel a bit put out that they are 'forced' to homeschool.  They are often the ones that feel like they should be able to drop and go at the co-ops.  Also the school system often encourages a sense of dependence among parents, and they feel quite lost on their own.  

Another factor is that new homeschoolers are most often products of a poor public school system.  It can take some time to rediscover the joy of learning and what a true education might look like.  The model they have for teaching is seriously flawed.    They also don't step up in co-op situations since they are struggling so to work with their own kids, the thought of dealing with others as well is overwhelming.  

The third factor is that more are trying to still fit in work with homeschooling.  Another partial income may be necessary and it puts additional stress on homeschooling time, and it forces more independence on the student.  They also seek opportunities to drop off kids in order to squeeze some work in.  

These factors can have positive implications as well.  I've seen in our area the growth of some 'Mom' schools.  An industrious hs parent organizes one or two day a week school, hires some instructors, and charges for classes.  This provides some hs parents with additional income and allows others who need the time an outlet for their kids.  

As a long term veteran you may also not recognize some parents in the early part of the journey still have a lot of learning to do that will result in homeschool more like you remember.  I know that I did not really understand what homeschooling would be like when I started.  My understanding of what our goals should be and how to obtain them have evolved greatly.  I've learned to understand and appreciate the time committment it requires on my part.

Answer 8

I am new to homeschool/unschooling. I started late last school year homeschooling my ten year old daughter who is low functioning autistic.We had an extremely unpleasant experience with her public school so we decided to homeschool.

I always thought that the purpose of co-ops were to SHARE-ideas, time, cost ect. If a person does not wish to do these things then they should not do a co-op. Every one should do their part to pull the load.

Yes indeed there is a level of time and commitment needed to properly homeschool, but I think that a lot of people probably do not realize that when you have total control over your childrens education you do not have to "do school" durring regular school hours. My daughter has therapy three times a week at an hour and a half each time not to mention a forty minute ride there and another back home. I also work 12 hour shifts on the weekends and have full responsability for our home and other kids during the week. My husband is also disabled and is unable to work. He got tuned down for disability income so we have to devote some time to that and his medical needs as well.

Our school day actually begins in the evening after dinner shortly after the table is cleared. It ends when we are finished with the lessons for that day. Some days take longer than others. Right now I am only teaching her spelling,reading and kindergarten level math. She is primarily non verbal and is so far behind academically that I had to start her off at the kindergarten /first grade level work.. Since she is now ten I might just be homeschooling her until she is twenty at this rate.

It is a lifestyle change when a parent starts homeschooling but many people do not even seem to realize that if there is enough commitment parents CAN fit it into their schedule. With my daughter I have TOTAL control over what, when and where she learns.If I want to have lessons at midnight then I can and no one at the school board can say boo to me about it.I do not co-op either and I carefully pick and choose the packaged curriculums that I use due to the nature of her disability.She is also very nocturnal like a lot of autistic people , so mornings are not her best time anyway.

You can bet though, that if I did co-op then I would share in the cost as well as the time.It would not be fair not to.

And for sure there are parents who start to homeschool then realize that is more than they want to take on.

Answer 9

I think I know what you are talking about... just like you I can't articulate it that well.  Its just an attitude.  If the people displaying it have a lot of money, it shows itself with them just wanting something easy- they'll pay the cost of the curriculum if it teaches itself!  If the people displaying the attitude don't have the money- then they want it both easy and cheap!  I even see people asking things like "how can I get a teacher to come to my house and homeschool my kids?"

I see this same thing when it comes to co-ops... where is the sense of community that used to bond homeschoolers?  The parents stand there, while the few who are working with kids are running from child to child to help with an art project.  The parents will criticize when they feel the class is not adequately taught... but never offer to teach.  They would rather go to a community center class and pay exorbitant fees than help pass out paints- or worse yet they'd rather do neither so their kids don't get art at all.

I posted a really neat, really easy experiment on my blog... and one of the comments posted by my readers really embodies this attitude, the person posted that she was going to have her kids look at my blog rather than do the experiment herself (apparently her kids are studying the same thing and she's been putting off this experiment).  So she is just going to have her kids look at my photos?!!  Why not just hand them a book and walk away?!  And her reason? The experiment used a saucer and she was afraid something would happen to the saucer... hasn't she ever heard of thrift stores? You can buy a used saucer for 10 cents at Goodwill or Value Village, then you can use it and if it gets ruined you are out a whole dime... whoopee doo!

I think part of this comes from the increasing failure of the Public School system... I think some parents  are homeschooling not so much because they have a passion for it, but rather because the schools have gotten so bad that they feel they have no choice.  Because they are used to their kids schooling being "free" or at least seeming free because all taxpayers share the cost... and they grow to feel entitled.  They feel they have a "right" to have the benefits of homeschooling handed to them on a silver platter.  They feel that they should be able to have someone else do the work and bear the cost.  They may not consciously think this, but its an unconscious attitude about them.

I wonder where the passion went?  Even when people hear that there is a threat to the freedom to homeschool they often can't be bothered to take action.

Could it be that newer homeschoolers just take the freedom to do so for granted?  They are too young to have seen the homeschoolers who were dragged in to court to win the right to homeschool.  Too far removed from the days when people risked losing custody of their kids.

Could the rise of Public School at Home programs be contributing to it?

Oh I don't know... and I am not altogether sure that I have described it any better than anyone else.  It just seems that there is no real commitment.  Like if the people could afford it they'd just send their kids to a private school... but since that is out reach they have grudgingly decided to homeschool.

But like I noted above, it isn't always just money... the same attitude manifests itself with well-to-do families that just seem to say, "Oh I'll pay you... but don't ask me to get involved in their lessons!"

Its not just in the homeschooling community either... many Churches are desperately seeking Sunday School teachers and nursery workers... seems everyone wants the service but no one wants to help with it.

And even just parents in general... how many parents do you know that just can't wait to get away from their kids?

Could this be more an issue of American complacency?

As I said, I don't know if I said it any better... but I sense something too... and I don't like it.

Answer 10

While I don't know that I am an old-timer, I have been doing this a while now. In my experience, there have always been parents who are slackers, and it tends to be the ones who pull their kids OUT of school (as opposed to those who have "always" homeschooled) that fit into this category. I'm not sure if it is just the fact that they are used to dropping the kids off and being done with it, or the fact that they are so desparate for a break?? But yes, I know the type.

We have an awesome homeschool group, and we have spelled out the expectations in our  member handbook to avoid any problems. It works, but I still notice some do the bare minimum expected, and others are always jumping in to help.

Answer 11

I'm not really sure... I'm not exactly the type of person I think you wanted to share their opinion, but I'm 16 and a home schooler... well, un-schooler really...

Our home school comes with a yearly fee, since they offer classes and a place to hangout with other home schoolers in the area that are members. But anyway.

Yes, I know what you mean. I think anyone who participates in home schooling (If they are a member to some sort of organization, club, 'school thing', anything like that) they are obligated to lend a hand when needed, and if there are fees, to pay them.

I think new parents often see the idea of homeschooling outside the home 'a place where they can drop-off their kids and pick them up after work' like a regular free school- they do not take into consideration that the owners of the home school have bills to pay for the building, internet fees, phone fees, everything else and that each child there adds to that use in some way or another. So I fully believe that parents and their children who attend should help out when needed, and pay the fee- or if they are asked for money, it shouldn't come as a huge surprise. After all those 'teachers' at the home school aren't paid- if no one pays a fee, that money comes out of their pockets. I guess the only way to make parents see that, is to make them more aware- that when you start home schooling it isn't a dropoff for your kids, you become part of the community and that means interacting with it, and helping out any way they can. Hope this was helpful!

Answer 12

Absolutely. And thank you for giving this issue voice.  I had been thinking this for so long, but couldn't actually put my impressions into words.  

We had to put a screening process in place in our little tiny co op here in the middle of nowhere.  We not only co op together, but have what has essentially become a small group.  We do field trips together, service projects, family meals and activities, etc.  After a scary incident with one slightly off balance father, we were forced to require that one of the current members sponsor a new member after getting to know them.  Then the new member had to join us for a family event which allowed us to get to see and know the ENTIRE family before allowing them to participate fully.  Even then we have a strict policy in co op that if parents do not participate and attend as scheduled (out of respect to those planning and purchasing materials), then they must leave the group.  

Although I think all children learn differently, and e-schools and virtual academies may work for some, the mindset tends to be different esp. if it is an e school run by the public school system.  It seems to be used (in some cases, though not isolated cases) as a "way out" for kids or parents with serious issues-whatever those may be.  

Many homeschooling groups where virtual schools are a legal option, exclude them from participation because of the differences.  Many of these virtual academy families have begun their own (sometimes very large) support groups and I believe that is a very good thing.  They need the socialization that our groups provide, and the economy of scale that cooperative efforts afford, but they are a unique entity and not really always compatible with traditional homeschoolers and unschoolers.  IMHO

Excellent question!