No matter what educational choice you make for your children, there will be pros and cons. Whether you are talking about homeschooling, private schooling, or public schooling, there is no cookie-cutter solution for every family. However, if there is one thing we should all be able to come together on when it comes to educating our children, it should be to give the maximum amount of freedom to parents. Even a well-meaning politician cannot make better choices for a child than the parents.
When COVID-19 came on the scene, parents were mortified by the precautions taken by schools. Virtual learning instantly became a total and unmitigated disaster for almost every student. Parents got to witness up close and personal as their children struggled to learn. I would never wish these kinds of struggles on any family, but there has been an unexpected silver lining of hope. Many of these parents are getting a taste of educational choice for the first time ever. They see options other than the public school pipeline pushed by the mainstream of society. Alternatives in education are being explored in greater numbers than at any other time in history.
One cannot have liberty without responsibility. Parents who explore new educational mediums for their children have to be smart about it. If you are making plans for next year, do your research. Talk to others who have pursued homeschooling and private schools. Find out what the most common pitfalls are and how they can be avoided. Make your final decision with the confidence that only comes with exploring every option available.
For those using the public school system, you aren’t exempt from this either. I don’t know if virtual learning could never work, but I do know that it will never work if you don’t get involved. Take ownership of your child’s education. Communicate with teachers. Sit in on lessons. Reward good performance. Your child’s ability to get ahead in the world might very well be determined by what choices you make for them today. As a parent, making educational choices for your child is a right you enjoy. Use it wisely.
