One of the most interesting trends in education reporting over the past several months has been a gentle questioning and sincere curiosity in homeschooling. Prompted by so many students learning at home and national concern about systematic racism in the US, news sources that might typically be skeptical of homeschooling are asking engaged, interested questions and highlighting more positive perspectives of homeschooling.
Take, for example, this recent interview with the founder of the homeschool group, Will + Free, and NYC public school teacher turned homeschooler. In this article, The Times highlights the idea that homeschoolers have a wide range of backgrounds and motives for not attending traditional public school. More importantly, the reporter, Katherine Rosman, makes this comment without criticism of those choosing to opt out of what is usually deemed a “public good.” Rosman, eloquently describes founder Ainsley Arment’s homeschooling style this way:
The image espoused by Ms. Arment of children and adults reciting poetry and hiking nature trails is alluring, especially at a time when many have their noses pressed to Zoom screens for hours on end or are sitting at plexiglassed desks with masks on, uncertain if a Covid-19 outbreak is just around the corner, like a menacing bully.
In comparison, families who chose something other than public school have often been portrayed in the media as self-centered or radically religious. But with 2020’s bombardment of difficulties, there has been a new wave of empathy and understanding for parents and what they believe is the purpose of education.
This article and others like “The Freedom and Fulfillment in Homeschooling” have opened the door to a different view of homeschooling in contrast to common stereotypes. There are still small jabs at the community’s philosophies in headings like “Goats over Grades.” But instead of telling readers what they should believe about this education philosophy, editors seem to be letting the families share their stories without reproach. This particular article highlights the focus on educating children towards a love of learning:
Quoting J. Allen Weston, the executive director of the National Home School Association, the article states,
True home-schoolers understand that learning is an adventure to be experienced and cherished, not a chore to muddle through to get a grade… My hope is that one bright side of this pandemic might be that the country may get back to the idea of learning for learning’s sake.
Similarly, Arment is quoted saying, “The purpose is not to outdo public schools,” she said, “it’s to simplify, because kids are overloaded and it’s interfering with learning.”
These ideas clash with alternative focal points on education for other purposes. Recently, there has been media attention on the importance of education for the “working parent” or education as an incubator for ideal citizens. But the most encouraging thing about these different pieces is a respect for family decisions and values around education. As conversations continue around education gaps and inequalities post-pandemic, maybe stories like these will spark more healthy, respectful conversations around families’ specific educational needs. Maybe communities will find room for a “both/and” conversation such as, “How do we give opportunity for equal education while also respecting family values in education? We can dream, can’t we?