On home schooling.
This is a letter to my Thatcher friends. We had the blessing of living in Thatcher for almost 1 year. We were in a wonderful ward and we were warmly welcomed. We wanted very much to stay in that ward and find or build a home in the area, but it did not work out. The area did not have much to choose from, unfortunately. We miss the friends we made there, but hey, we're not that far!
So we moved to Central. Found some beautiful acreage with amazing views, and hope one day to build one more home. Until then, we are content and happy that we have a roof over our heads.
Recently, we made the decision to home school. So, why is this a letter to my Thatcher friends? Because people can be hesitant to ask and quick to assume. I just wanted to make it clear, that our/my decision to home school, had NOTHING to do with Thatcher schools. Thatcher schools were a welcome change for what our children needed. We enjoyed the increase in choices for them educationally, socially, and extracurricularly. I am SO HAPPY they had so many good children around them, that welcomed them in their circle. My biggest worry was how they would adjust from our move from Duncan.
I still haven't answered the question, but at least you know it wasn't Thatcher. :-) I found the administrators and board members mostly understanding and easy to talk to. The teachers were professional and friendly. I enjoyed the year that I substitute taught in Thatcher schools. All around Thatcher was a positive experience.
It's public education in general that I am leery of. The best place for the education of a child, is in the home. The end. I really feel that way. You don't have to be an expert. You just have to love your child, know where to find good resources, and be willing and able to partner with others where you fall short.
For me, as old fashioned as it sounds, the one room school house would be the next best place. Yep. Multiple grades in one room being taught by a teacher with help from older students for younger ones. I understand modern life has changed all that. So, we developed school districts and school boards, and so on and so forth. I am comfortable with being a community that hires my own teacher. Or electing a school board who hires teachers AND MAKES THE DECISIONS for my student.
Everything changed in 1980 when the Department of Education changed from a supervisory capacity to a cabinet level department with a mission "to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access." I'm not comfortable with the federal government "ensuring" anything locally for me.
Now we have federally mandated tests, classes, standards, and the like. But like the saying goes, "when you pick up one end of the stick, you pick up the other." With the mandates comes money. And once a district is used to the money, more mandates. But if you disagree with those mandates, no more money. We all know once we get used to a standard, it's hard to go back.
Common core had me really spooked. I attended board meetings and temporarily rested on the fact that my children were in a school district that for the time being, would likely not be a tremendous risk. But years ago, when an important social issue of our day became more prominent, I drew a line in the sand. I said, "when this happens, my kids come out of school."
Well, then there was the Arizona Merit test last Spring. The questions were so INSANELY stupid on the writing portion, that I wanted to bang my head against a wall. And one question was on my line in the sand topic as reported by other parents. So, I began thinking, and over a couple of months, decided to head back in the home school direction.
I decided to let my senior stay and graduate. Really? How could I do that to her senior year? I did ask her and of course, she said no. One of the 2 at home had some serious issues last year. I choose not to blame others. I think some things could have been done better, but what it boils down to is this child needs someone to be watching constantly and at home, I can do that better than a teacher with 30 other students.
So those are my main reasons. My line in the sand was confirmed in July with a Supreme Court decision and this. The day after the decision, this was the picture on the Dept of Ed FB site. I think it says it all. Since then, I've seen many articles confirming and affirming the minority choices, "rights," and belief of lifestyles I don't support, at the expense of those who simply want to live their life and faith. The federal government will now mandate things that go against my faith. THIS is the choice I make to combat the coming insanity.
