I recently read another
blog within our military community and was not surprised by the message concerning our children. Same as you, I am a military spouse with children-four boys to be exact. So, I won’t go into the trials, heartaches, and/or even the much successful years as my children went to public school (to include DoDEA schools). My issue upfront to not the issue of homeschooling vs. public education either. My issue, plain and simple, is the quality education for our children.
In light of recent circumstances (whether you agreed with it or not) —I will say that he made some very true statements [President Obama’s speech to our children].
The President’s speech is located
here. Basically he stated that our children should work hard, should ask questions, and said very little about parental involvement that is absolutely necessary to achieve short term and long term goals for our child [for every child]. I feel he did not mention the key importance to all this: meaning parental involvement. He stated he talked to the kids about parent's responsibility but fail to mention what that is?!
Yes, some of us are on the PTA committee, volunteer our time in the classroom, but we (as parents) should know what the schools are teaching our children.
President Obama stated:
I’ve talked about your parents’ responsibility for making sure you stay on track, and get your homework done, and don’t spend every waking hour in front of the TV or with that Xbox.
I’ve talked a lot about your government’s responsibility for setting high standards, supporting teachers and principals, and turning around schools that aren’t working where students aren’t getting the opportunities they deserve.
And yet, we are informed that DoDEA will be cutting OR HAVE cut out more teachers positions so that the student: teacher ratio has been raised. Raised? Even from last year’s ratio??
From the
Federal Education Association Such an increase in class sizes defies logic, as it contradicts all recommendations for improving academics. In DoDEA's recent customer service survey, parents and students both indicated their belief that lowering class sizes was one of the most important things that could be done to improve DoD schools. It is irresponsible and reckless to consider raising class sizes.
To give a quick history of our experience:
We moved overseas October 2006, spent one year in Belgium, then moved to a community in Germany October 2007. At this location my children had to travel by bus from our post to another post 30 min. away. You ask why?? The elementary school on-post was already over-crowded (with a new school being built—to be fair). Thank God, they allowed for a bus transportation---or I would have homeschooled earlier (it was almost not an option for bus transportation—and driving my kids for an hour everyday was not looking all that great). With many issues (just with the bus transportation) this experience for 6-7 months was not desirable—to say the least.
Again, less than 8 months from the move (from Belgium) we had to move again to another area in Germany. Our third move within 2 years. Needless to say, their (my children) education was not where it should have been. Yes, DoDEA schools try to make sure they are equal across the board, but I feel they do not take into effect the children’s emotions during all this Army Transitioning. The kid’s did complete one year of school in the DoDEA school (at our current location).
Ok, so this school year SY 2009-2010—
MY FAMILY is homeschooling.
Yes, I said homeschooling. Some of you might faint at the fact that I choose to do so, but in regards to this decision, it was always a variable to our family plans. But of course after these previous school years, our children’s level of competency, and the basic lack of confidence---we jumped with no lifeguard into the world of homeschooling. During the year 2008-2009 school year –we made the decision to homeschool by mid-December, but ultimately let them finish out the year to do research (as a military family), changed up some of the living arrangements (in our government housing) for our school area, planned on a curriculum, let the DoDEA know of our agenda, and waited for the NEW school year to start.
I’ve said all this to say THIS: Even if you don’t homeschool your children— we, as parents, are responsible for OUR children. No school, teacher, or president knows your children better than you do. Children are an investment: a precious, irreplaceable, priceless investment.
So for me to answer the question:
Who will teach your children next year? My answer is -- I will. And before you ask: No, I am not a certified teacher and most homeschool parents are not certified teachers. I know that homeschooling is ‘controversial,’ but if you research just a little, you’d know that homeschooling is on the rise, homeschooled children are very successful and it is also what the foundation of America was built on. We have just pushed it out over the many years…
By the way, I will say this right now, if the ratio is what makes or breaks a classroom? Then we are looking pretty good. Our ratio is 2:1, for now…I have a 6th grader and a 3rd grader.
Just because we are military families, this does not mean we are not allowed to homeschool or take control of our children’s educational goals. In fact, the military community is unbiased towards homeschooling. We still receive a lot of benefits and may use the technology lab, library, materials, and testing—if I should request it. Since I am overseas—I don’t need to go by any state requirements, but I do follow Ohio’s---since we are more than likely to ‘retire’ there.
Don’t be afraid to take charge. Even if your children are in public schools, be involved. They are your children no matter what.
Another statement from the President to the children:
But at the end of the day, the circumstances of your life – what you look like, where you come from, how much money you have, what you’ve got going on at home – that’s no excuse for neglecting your homework or having a bad attitude. That’s no excuse for talking back to your teacher, or cutting class, or dropping out of school. That’s no excuse for not trying.
Teaching starts at home—please remember that. If we are involved and make the effort to be involved with our children [in school and out of school] —I would guarantee the drop-out rate would decrease and we would not need the President telling our children what we should be tell them everyday…and not once a year.
Whether your child[ren] are homeschooled or in public school ---I wish each and everyone one of you a happy and successful school year 2009-2010!!
If you want more information about military homeschooling here are some links:
Requirements by State on Homeschooling Getting Started
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