After completing a blog post on why I disagree with waffling back and forth between homeschooling and public school, I read a very interesting article about a child who used homeschool to take a break from school.
In this instance, she took a break because the drama of middle school was really getting to her. Her friend was homeschooling due to an injury, and so she convinced mom to let her homeschool for the remainder of the year, and return to school in the fall. While I do not really believe homeschooling should be used for ‘breaks’, I have to admit, that in this circumstance it was a great idea. (The principal remarked that most parents take such breaks due to bad grades, while this child was an exemplary student.)
Therefore, the mom, a writer, allowed her seventh grade daughter to take charge of her own education, even if only for a little while. As for the child, she did not disappoint. The experience uncovered an artistic talent of which they were not aware, she passed her year end exams, and opened up moms eyes about homeschooling. Where the mom had previously viewed homeschoolers as xenophobic, she now feels that…
our eight weeks of home schooling have given me pause. The amazing network of home school support groups, study groups, curriculum offerings, special classes and advocates reflects something better than just heads-in-the-sand. It reflects a deep parental commitment to enhance children’s learning environments and make an investment in them personally.
This is not the first time I have ever heard of a public school child being successful at taking a break from school. My own brother took a school imposed break (he was expelled) early in his sophomore year of high school. Between my mom, who was a Special Ed teacher, and his school appointed tutor, when he returned, he was granted enough credits to be placed as a senior in high school. He graduated with a full athletic scholarship. Of course, in this short time, his emotional and impulsive issues were not dealt with, only avoided, so he did not make it through college.
So this young lady took a short break from school, and everyone is happy… or are they? I have to wonder if the freedom she experienced these last two months has not made her long for more. Will she be happy next year when she is back in middle school with the same people and drama she took a break from, or will she end up homeschooling again before long? Whatever the result, I pray that this family makes a commitment to one or the other, because I still feel that waffling back and forth is a bad idea.
*Have a question about homeschooling? Just ask.
*Want to know more about homeschooling? Start with the 2006 homeschool blog in review!
* Have you seen the homeschooling curriculum glossary?