I was taken aback when I read that the National Education Association has publicly stated that they believe "that home schooling programs based on parental choice cannot provide the student with a comprehensive education experience" (section B-82 of the 2011-2012 NEA Resolutions).
Seriously?
I could understand a "may not." Because, sure, homeschooling may not provide a comprehensive education. But to say that homeschooling cannot provide a comprehensive education experience... I don't even know how to classify that. Prideful? Myopic? Detached from reality?
Unless, of course, they define "comprehensive" in some incredibly specific way. For example: A comprehensive education experience includes cafeteria food five times a week, at least four unique teachers per semester, and exposure to illegal substances at least once between the 2nd and 8th grade.
Given that, I'd agree with them.
But homeschooling can absolutely provide a comprehensive education experience. I not only did school while homeschooled, but I was actively involved in sports, band, and even "shop" (with a man who worked on crane repair). There are a plethora of excellent homeschool curriculum options that offer just about every subject you can imagine, including way more electives than my public high school offered.
Homeschooling is absolutely a complete and viable option for an excellent education. Granted, it's not the only one. I wouldn't be so rash as to say such a thing. But parents--you--can provide a comprehensive educational experience at home, realizing, of course, that you may need to look outside the four walls of your living room in some instances.
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Empty Nester
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