It has been nearly 30 years since I attended my first homeschool meeting and initially considered the idea of homeschooling my children. While listening to Christian radio, I heard popular radio host and father of 10, Rich Buhler, discuss his own family’s homeschooling journey. Rich Buhler described this educational option with enthusiasm and joy. I was quite interested in exploring this further and found the whole idea of teaching children at home quite intriguing.
Although folks have been homeschooling since the beginning of time, the modern homeschool movement began in the late 1970’s. Parents discovered that they could indeed educate their own children, and soon realized that those who were taught at home generally excelled far beyond their public school counterparts. Those precious mothers teaching around their kitchen tables could almost always do a better job and produce more excellence than the “professionals.” I am grateful to these pioneering homeschoolers who paved the way for us today. Although homeschooling was not technically illegal in most states the public schools treated many parents as criminals. Homeschooling was risky and not for the faint of heart. These Homeschooling parents faced threats of jail time and having their children removed from their home. Some were arrested; many were taken to court.
Nevertheless, these early years of homeschooling were exciting and extraordinary. Parents had to figure every out themselves. These pioneers were so brave and tough and even though they faced much persecution from society, they did not give up. They crafted their own curriculum, formed their own support groups, did their own research, and prepared a course of study tailored to the needs of their individual children.
If you are considering homeschooling, I hope you will keep these folks who paved the way for us in mind. I hope you will thank them for being brave and extraordinary by taking advantage of this wonderful educational option.
When you decide to homeschool independently, you are continuing the tradition that these early homeschoolers began and you are protecting homeschooling freedoms for future generations. On the other hand, if you sign up for a public school at home program, (charter school etc.) you are not legally homeschooling and are supporting the agenda of the Department of Education and the government schools who are working diligently to eliminate true independent homeschooling altogether. Hoping and praying you will consider joining us in this wonderful journey of independent homeschooling. Blessings, Anne
