It’s March, and Conference Season is beginning again. Whereas 2021 saw a return to educational conferences, the 2022 season promises a real flourishing of events as people return to enjoy the pleasure of one another’s company and the joy of carving out time to attend talks, participate in workshops, and peruse the offerings put forth by curriculum providers like ourselves.

Accordingly, I wanted to share this short essay by a colleague who has worked in the field of science education for a long time. She also teaches and coaches homeschoolers. Her article, so clearly framed, will be helpful for anyone who wonders what goes on in homeschooling, or might only now be considering alternatives to institutional education. It also speaks to those who have undertaken this journey but still worry about the bugaboos wrongly trumpeted in the press and in public discourses about homeschooling.

Dr. Christy Oliver’s own mother was a pioneer in the homeschooling adventure—swimming upstream and creating ad hoc the materials needed for her daughter. For that generation of homeschool parents, it is unimaginable to see the momentum of today’s homeschooling (and yet the initial concerns seem not to have changed). So, thank you for sharing, Dr. Oliver. –Professor Carol

Since the beginning of the pandemic, homeschooling in the U.S. has more than doubled to 11% of households with school-age children (U.S. Census Bureau). The reasons for educating at home are as varied as the families who choose this lifestyle. Perhaps you have considered home education, but have dismissed the idea due to one of these three common objections: 1) my child would miss out on socialization; 2) I do not have the time, money, or patience to homeschool; or 3) I lack teaching qualifications. Let’s address each of these objections.

The socialization question is probably the most frequently heard by home educators. The purpose of socialization is to prepare a person in attitudes and manners to converse and function in society. The best place for this training is in family relationships. Siblings can be best friends. Lunch with Mom is a great place to learn manners. Dinner discussions about life, books, and current events prepare children for outside conversations. Volunteering as a family fosters civic involvement and compassion. Extracurricular activities including clubs, sports, fine arts, and even homeschool proms, provide time with peers. Most homeschoolers socialize with peers and others outside their families many times a week, and as adults stay involved in their communities.

Some time, money, and patience are needed for homeschooling, but many people assume that homeschooling means bringing school home. This is not true. Because only a fraction of a 6-hour institutional school day is spent on active learning, a homeschooler may accomplish all academic subjects in 2-4 hours. If character is developed as the most important, first lesson, then children who read well can learn most subjects independently. Parents answer questions and check work. Thus, many single parents and full-time working parents have managed, with a little creativity and flexibility, to homeschool. Money does not have to be an obstacle, either. One could spend thousands of dollars on elaborate curricula, but, with library books, free online resources, and a few items from the dollar store, you can homeschool on a shoestring. Finally, homeschooling will test your patience; you will be challenged and stretched in other ways, too. That is the joy of homeschooling: learning and growing together as a family, by God’s grace!

Even if you don’t have a teaching credential, you have the greatest qualification for teaching: God gave you that child! Whether you have a GED or a PhD, you can be successful! Parental education or teaching-certification has no significant influence on the outcome of a homeschool child’s academic achievement. Exceeding the best-credentialed teacher, you know your children better, love them more, and care more about their future. Because you know your children, you can tailor the curriculum and allow them to pursue God-given talents and interests. Because you love your children, you will learn things you never had an interest in before, and hug them and listen on the tough days. Because you care about their future, you will prepare them for life, not just the test. Instill character and a love of learning, and you will have accomplished more than any credential.

In conclusion, homeschool families of every size, standard of living, education or qualification level, marital status, parental work standing, religion, or ethnicity have been successful. So can you! Family and community relationships foster profound social skills. Flexibility and creativity overcome limitations. Above all, your highest qualification to be your child’s teacher…that key ingredient for homeschooling…the greatest of these…is love.

Dr. Christy Oliver is a writer, musician, scientist, artist, and teacher. She holds M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Animal and Range Science from North Dakota State University. She was a 2007-2008 American Association for the Advancement of Science Congressional Science Fellow. With almost 30 years of teaching experience, including over 10 years homeschooling, Christy has taught every grade, including college level, and most subjects at some point!