Dr. Raymond S. Moore, also known as the Grandfather of Homeschooling, died Friday, July 13, 2007 at the age of 91. He suffered a stroke on Father’s Day and his health declined from there. In addition to private funeral services, memorial services are planned for August 11, 2007, 4:00 p.m. (Tentative ), Sunnyside Seventh-day Adventist Church in Portland, OR and August 18, 2007, 4:00 p.m. , Central Seventh-day Adventist Church in Camellia Avenue, Sacramento, CA.
Along with his also deceased wife, Dorothy Moore, Dr. Raymond Moore Led the charge in the early days of homeschooling, published numerous books for and about homeschooling, and also founded the Moore Foundation and Academy. As devout Seventh Day Adventist Christians, the Moore family especially advocated and encouraged Christian homeschooling.
An online tribute to Dr. Raymond more by Gena Suarez includes the following quotes:
“Ray Moore helped found the homeschooling movement. He and Dorothy spent countless hours helping parents learn to relax and enjoy their children, and in doing so nurtured many future generations of homeschoolers.” — Pat Farenga
“Dr. Raymond Moore legitimized homeschooling as a viable educational option by publishing research and data that gave credibility to a fledgling movement. …We have immense gratitude for these two pioneers and the legacy they have bestowed on the homeschool movement, and think every homeschooler should begin homeschooling by reading their books.” — Jessica Hulcy, Co-Author, and Wade Hulcy, President, KONOS, Inc.
Like most homeschoolers, the Moore’s career as homeschool leaders began with the teaching and raising of their own children. The family spent many years raising and homeschooling their children while they lived in Japan where they helped develop a Seventh Day Adventist School system for Japan and Okinawa. Previously Dr. Moore was in the military and along with his wife, was also an educator.
The Moore’s believed that children were best served if education was delayed until a child was at leased 10 years old. As early as the 1970’s they did extensive research and found evidence that “formal education as damaging to children.” Instead, they felt a child’s early years should be reserved for play and bonding with parents.
The Moore Academy is based on the Moore formula that stresses the importance of a project based education, apprenticeship and service. It shuns the “school at home” approach, which may include textbooks and workbooks. They find modern video games dangerous, and the “Super Baby” syndrome to be poisonous. The Moore’s believed that learning should occur more naturally. The academy is basically an umbrella school for unschoolers.
Whether or not you agree with the Moore’s approach to homeschooling, you have to admit that without their tireless work, and shining example, homeschooling would not have grown to what it is today. This is especially true for the unschooling movement and the credibility they added to it.
Dr. Moore never took credit for his successful work with the homeschooling movement. Instead, he always gave the credit for his success to God.
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