As a parent or educator, you may be concerned about the state of the education system. Thinking your concerns relate only to your child or your particular district may be easy until you look at the state of home schooling in America. You may say that the number of students participating in home schooling programs is a good way to measure the health or “pulse” of the public education system.
Alternative forms of education, primarily home schooling, have grown in popularity and visibility over the past decade. While critics of the home schooling program claim that home schooled students are the children of religious fanatics, this isn’t the case. Recognize that a portion of the families who rely on home schooling or other alternative education forms do so because of religious views but that many have chosen alternative education to address the lack of adequate education in our public school system.
Whatever the reason for enrolling a student in an alternative education program, many parents and students are finding that the programs offer them the chance to challenge themselves, provide them with a strong basis for further education and allow for greater flexibility.
Unfortunately, some parents are turning to alternative education instead of working within their local community to hold schools and educators responsible for the education of their children.
When parents feel their best chance at educating their children is through a system other than the public system, there is a problem. Failing to address the underlying problem of our education system and to reform them may eventually lead to a country where only the wealthy have access to a “real” education.
Whether you are a parent, educator or administrator, the time has come to take an honest look at the health of our education system and to make the needed changes.
