Just Teach the Algebra
Congratulations if you read through my rant in the previous post. If I'm so smart, what is the answer? Not everyone can homeschool right?
It might be surprising to note that in fact I don't even think a homeschool is the best school; it just happens to be the best of the alternatives as I see them. I will reveal my cunning plan.
What has become clear to me as I've investigated education over the last decade is that if parents aren't actually looking for a daycare program for their children (meaning they want the opportunity to have their children supervised by someone else for the majority of waking hours for whatever reason eg. work) school could be 1/2 of what it is right now. Half the time, half the money, half the garbage.
It does not take all day to teach an elementary student a standard elementary curriculum. A rule of thumb might be an hour per grade number, ie. 1 hour/day for grade 1, 2 hours for grade 2 etc. That really is sufficient time to teach the basics in those grades. If children were finished school by noon everyday, what would they do? Go home for a hot lunch, play outside, learn about the real world of banks and grocery stores, money and nutrition, learn to pursue their own interests, develop their unique skills and talents, care for friends, family, and pets, rest, read, think... This is where homeschooling has it all over "out-schooling" just the sheer amount of time to pursue real life and real skills, not just those for which the school has funding, time or teachers.
Addressing those, say, 3 or 4 hours spent at school. It would have to be intentional, streamlined, focused. We'd have to cancel pyjama day (too much distraction), field trips to the library (go with Mom or Dad or someone when you can really look at the books you want to look at) student council (go volunteer at a real political office) and fundraising events (I'm sure every family could think of something for which they'd like to raise funds in their own life). Some well focused learning on core subjects could work wonders: fifteen minutes spent on reading/day, another 15 on Arithmetic, 15 on handwriting, it's amazing what can be accomplished!
This system would accomplish two things. One, students would develop attachments to the appropriate groups (their family and community vs. the peer group) by spending time living life with them, while receiving a no-nonsense, effective set of learning skills at their part time school. Two, this would cut the costs of running our schools considerably, leaving more funds for those students who need extra support and whose families choose the all day program. Ostensibly this would also cut social costs as children developed and maintained healthier relationships. A tax credit or bonus available to families taking the 1/2 day option could perhaps facilitate family/community bonding activities after school hours.
Most of the families I know who homeschool are not doing it because they love to teach Algebra. They would *love* to have a dedicated teacher, enthusiastic about their subject, teach their children. The ideal system would be to have wonderful teachers teaching what they love and leaving the rest of life to the family. We have handed over the reins for too long, we have asked to much of our schools and they have tried to take it on, in the meanwhile becoming ineffective in practically all areas. Just teach the Algebra; we can do the rest.
It might be surprising to note that in fact I don't even think a homeschool is the best school; it just happens to be the best of the alternatives as I see them. I will reveal my cunning plan.
What has become clear to me as I've investigated education over the last decade is that if parents aren't actually looking for a daycare program for their children (meaning they want the opportunity to have their children supervised by someone else for the majority of waking hours for whatever reason eg. work) school could be 1/2 of what it is right now. Half the time, half the money, half the garbage.
It does not take all day to teach an elementary student a standard elementary curriculum. A rule of thumb might be an hour per grade number, ie. 1 hour/day for grade 1, 2 hours for grade 2 etc. That really is sufficient time to teach the basics in those grades. If children were finished school by noon everyday, what would they do? Go home for a hot lunch, play outside, learn about the real world of banks and grocery stores, money and nutrition, learn to pursue their own interests, develop their unique skills and talents, care for friends, family, and pets, rest, read, think... This is where homeschooling has it all over "out-schooling" just the sheer amount of time to pursue real life and real skills, not just those for which the school has funding, time or teachers.
Addressing those, say, 3 or 4 hours spent at school. It would have to be intentional, streamlined, focused. We'd have to cancel pyjama day (too much distraction), field trips to the library (go with Mom or Dad or someone when you can really look at the books you want to look at) student council (go volunteer at a real political office) and fundraising events (I'm sure every family could think of something for which they'd like to raise funds in their own life). Some well focused learning on core subjects could work wonders: fifteen minutes spent on reading/day, another 15 on Arithmetic, 15 on handwriting, it's amazing what can be accomplished!
This system would accomplish two things. One, students would develop attachments to the appropriate groups (their family and community vs. the peer group) by spending time living life with them, while receiving a no-nonsense, effective set of learning skills at their part time school. Two, this would cut the costs of running our schools considerably, leaving more funds for those students who need extra support and whose families choose the all day program. Ostensibly this would also cut social costs as children developed and maintained healthier relationships. A tax credit or bonus available to families taking the 1/2 day option could perhaps facilitate family/community bonding activities after school hours.
Most of the families I know who homeschool are not doing it because they love to teach Algebra. They would *love* to have a dedicated teacher, enthusiastic about their subject, teach their children. The ideal system would be to have wonderful teachers teaching what they love and leaving the rest of life to the family. We have handed over the reins for too long, we have asked to much of our schools and they have tried to take it on, in the meanwhile becoming ineffective in practically all areas. Just teach the Algebra; we can do the rest.
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