A Successful Homeschooler

I responded to a Facebook thread recently where a mother considering homeschool asked what accounts for the studies showing that Homeschooled individuals do better in most life metrics over their public schooled counterparts. (She was siting research that shows that homeschooled individuals who attend college are more likely to excel in college and all homeschooled individuals report higher satisfaction in their adult lives, here and here) She wanted to know what makes a successful homeschool, as there are examples of homeschool failure just as there are examples of public school failure, but overall why do homeschooled students do so well in their adult lives?

Here was my answer:

With the right attitude toward learning at home and good home management and structure — not the same as “school structure” — children are taught correct principles and learn to govern themselves. They have the opportunity to take ownership of their education and learning, and they develop the character and skills to be successful in any chosen path. They are given the opportunity to fail and succeed in a natural way that helps them learn that they are the agents in their own success.

They do not spend their educational years under constants supervision, over-programmed, and spoon fed information. They do not learn to rely on rubric managed assignment centric models, false comparisons, and grade structures. They have the advantage of a developmentally appropriate education that is highly personalized and paced to match their strengths and weaknesses — Public education in America is NOT developmentally appropriate, is structured on false pacing that puts pressure on students weaknesses and holds back their geniuses, and teaches intellectual dependence.

What happens in successful homeschools is not “school” but rather education and human development. Of course “school” happens as skills are learned that enable education but that is a small part of what is learned. Children also have the opportunity to learn by study and also by faith, they have more opportunities to learn that God is the source of intelligence and wisdom and through his power they can unlock their potential, enlighten their minds, and do hard things without being constantly managed by the adults around them. This creates emotionally and spiritually mature people. What happens when children learn at home is a natural extension of family life and natural development.

Couple famous quotes to ponder:

“Education is not the filling of pail but the lighting of a fire.”

“Don’t let school interfere with your education.”

“Children should be instructed in the principles of freedom.”