Education post on Interact

My friend Sean posted about education recently on his blog "Interact". I don't know the individual he quoted, but he is an education professional, I assume in the public arena.

I am not a professional; however, I have three kids in school. I've noticed through the years that educators root "for their team", or whatever they have become involved in, and usually categorically think it is best. The subtle message in the post on Interact from a public educator is "save your money, go to public school". I know home educators who say the same thing about home school. I've met with Headmasters of private schools with the same message about the private arena. Some of these think vouchers are the answer because they see that they would end public school, which they consider a dinosaur educational system.

As a parent, not a professional, we have found it is best to know our options, and try to determine what is best for our kids. Where will the child flourish, is the primary question. The next question is, what is best for the family. That question has to do with what they (the family) value (mission), and the resources they have available to them. In that context they might be able to "save a lot of money" using public education, or they may not. In this context they might find alternatives that do have strong advantages, "measured with identical yardsticks" to the public model.

We have used all three models. We have home schooled our kids, (including high school, and junior high). This is not for everyone contrary to what dogmatic homeschooler parents claim. However, we have one kid who has done extremely well in this context. This child has also been in public, and private schools; and did not do even remotely as well, the yardstick being standardized testing we do each year.

I have another child who positively did not like home school. They are currently in a small, private Christian school. This is by their choice. I'll come back to that.

Finally I have a kid with special needs. We talked with the public school. They will do what they are required to do, and not much more. The problem is that kids with special needs are expensive to educate, and if they do it too well they fear becoming a magnet for that kind of student. They don't want that. We have the special needs child at a special needs school. They are doing excellent work there.

Here is the rub. How does a parent answer the two questions I pose for determining a kids education? (What is best for the kid? And, what is best for the family?) Here is what we have done, and this is an ongoing conversation. Our kids are the primary source for what is best for them. We ask them what they want, and watch how they handle various learning situations. Second, we know what we value, and it is a little different for each one of us, but we finally come to terms. We have to consider our time, and resources, including scholarships, extra work, working at the schools our kids attend, or retiring late in order to pay. As parents we make the final decision.

Going into my kids school years I was clearly on the side of the post on Interact. I thought public schools were as good as anything, and I didn't want to retire late. But finding the best fit for each kid has been very rewarding not only measured by identical yardsticks, but in other ways not so easily categorized. These include self image, creativity, worldview, ability to give and receive love, and the "safety and discipline" referred to in the Interact post.