Ayla
16-12-2008, 05:49 PM
http://www.retrieverweekly.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=4033&format=html
Opinion
Tuesday December 9, 2008
Is homeschooling adequate preparation?
By Amy King
Contributing Writer
Well, here we all are at the end of the semester. And what a semester I've had. As a homeschooled student who recently transferred from a community college, I've often been questioned about my pre-collegiate education.
When I say the word "homeschooled", without fail, I immediately see something in the student's eyes shift. Then, one of two things usually happens: Either the student will let out a long "Oooh" with a glazed-over look as his or her mind scrambles to orient itself by piecing together prejudices, misnomers and rumors, or I get the dreaded "Ahhh", with pursed lips and a pitying look.
I'd like to explain this apparently mystifying and often misunderstood phenomenon to help the UMBC community understand "homeschoolers" just a little bit better. I was homeschooled for thirteen years. To some, this is unfathomable. To me, it was just life.
I never had to deal with being judged based on my appearance so much before I entered college. I don't particularly mind this, but I now understand how stereotypes are perpetuated in schools. At home, no one ever asked what ethnicity or race I was. No one ever cared what I was wearing. No one ever asked me what my grade was on an exam.
At UMBC when I give the answer to one of these questions, my interlocutor (whether right or wrong) will always tell me what he or she had preconceived my answer would be.
Of course, I get the "How did you socialize?" question. Assuming that homschooled people are stuck in the house with their families all day long is just ignorant. Most homeschoolers are involved in group activities with other kids. I was involved in swimming, ice skating, bowling, basketball, ballet, and art classes.
I know a lot of homeschoolers who have taken academic classes in a classroom setting, including my younger sister. Homeschooling is flexible enough for learning to be (I can't believe I'm writing this) fun. Homeschoolers are free to take fieldtrips to a museum, take biology class to the backyard, or sometimes even take the day off.
Each state has different laws regarding homeschooling, but in Maryland, all you need is "regular and thorough instruction" in all subjects taught in Maryland public schools to be homeschooled legally. Most parents are willing to take their child's education beyond what any public school could provide. I don't know whether being homeschooled my whole life helped me or hurt me socially, but I can say that I was well-prepared for college academically. If homeschooling parents are organized and task-oriented, their student will be well-prepared for college and life.
So, if you are a homeschooler, withstand interrogation proudly; you have a privileged experience that not many others have. And if you're curious about homeschooling, stay curious. Homeschooling is a great thing and continues to expand as a trend in the U.S. It isn't something to avoid but is something that is often misunderstood.
Opinion
Tuesday December 9, 2008
Is homeschooling adequate preparation?
By Amy King
Contributing Writer
Well, here we all are at the end of the semester. And what a semester I've had. As a homeschooled student who recently transferred from a community college, I've often been questioned about my pre-collegiate education.
When I say the word "homeschooled", without fail, I immediately see something in the student's eyes shift. Then, one of two things usually happens: Either the student will let out a long "Oooh" with a glazed-over look as his or her mind scrambles to orient itself by piecing together prejudices, misnomers and rumors, or I get the dreaded "Ahhh", with pursed lips and a pitying look.
I'd like to explain this apparently mystifying and often misunderstood phenomenon to help the UMBC community understand "homeschoolers" just a little bit better. I was homeschooled for thirteen years. To some, this is unfathomable. To me, it was just life.
I never had to deal with being judged based on my appearance so much before I entered college. I don't particularly mind this, but I now understand how stereotypes are perpetuated in schools. At home, no one ever asked what ethnicity or race I was. No one ever cared what I was wearing. No one ever asked me what my grade was on an exam.
At UMBC when I give the answer to one of these questions, my interlocutor (whether right or wrong) will always tell me what he or she had preconceived my answer would be.
Of course, I get the "How did you socialize?" question. Assuming that homschooled people are stuck in the house with their families all day long is just ignorant. Most homeschoolers are involved in group activities with other kids. I was involved in swimming, ice skating, bowling, basketball, ballet, and art classes.
I know a lot of homeschoolers who have taken academic classes in a classroom setting, including my younger sister. Homeschooling is flexible enough for learning to be (I can't believe I'm writing this) fun. Homeschoolers are free to take fieldtrips to a museum, take biology class to the backyard, or sometimes even take the day off.
Each state has different laws regarding homeschooling, but in Maryland, all you need is "regular and thorough instruction" in all subjects taught in Maryland public schools to be homeschooled legally. Most parents are willing to take their child's education beyond what any public school could provide. I don't know whether being homeschooled my whole life helped me or hurt me socially, but I can say that I was well-prepared for college academically. If homeschooling parents are organized and task-oriented, their student will be well-prepared for college and life.
So, if you are a homeschooler, withstand interrogation proudly; you have a privileged experience that not many others have. And if you're curious about homeschooling, stay curious. Homeschooling is a great thing and continues to expand as a trend in the U.S. It isn't something to avoid but is something that is often misunderstood.