Choices In Education *GuestBlogger*

It is that time of year again, when students are preparing to return to school. While it is a relief for some parents to return their children to school, other parents are beginning to feel the stress that overcrowded classrooms, endless fundraisers, and long hours of homework presents. There are three main types of schooling available for most parents to choose from.

The first choice available in schools is the public school. For many decades, public school has been the place where the most students attended. Traditionally, public school has been the choice of most parents because it was free, readily available, and usually close to home. Public schools have a set curriculum that is pretty standard across school districts. Teachers within a given state all have similar qualifications and certifications. Some public schools even have programs for learning delayed students and gifted students. Public school does have problems, however. Among the problems that exist are overcrowded classrooms, an inability to adapt to individual student needs, and, because funding increases as test scores increase, there is a tendency to teach to the test. While public school is supposed to be free, many parents are finding that in addition to tax dollars, they are being required to produce more money for supplies that were once part of the included materials to educate their children. Public schools are considered secular, and as such, do not provide any religious material.

The second choice available in school is the private school. Private schools have always been more costly than public schools, and they are seen as more exclusive by virtue of those dollars. There are benefits to private schools. Because these schools are able to choose their student body through an admission process they are able to choose the best students, academically. With this as a given, private schools often do better when their students are issued achievement tests. Smaller class sizes mean that students are allowed more individual attention. While smaller class sizes and a more exacting curriculum may mean better education, private schools are not necessarily an option for many families due to cost. And the truth is, that for students who do not do well in the traditional classroom model, private school and public school have the same flaw, a traditional classroom setting. Private schools may be either secular or religious based and parents will have to choose which type is best for their family.

The final choice to be presented here is home school. Arguably, the best attribute of home school is that it has the capacity to be infinitely flexible. Many students who have a difficult time in traditional classrooms can have a curriculum tailor made for them through home school. This is very beneficial to students who need individualized attention, or have special needs. It also works for well for gifted students who need their schooling to be accelerated. Home school can cost as much as the parents wish or choose to spend on it. There are home school families who manage to home school for very little. Of course there are other things to consider. There has been a considerable stigma placed on home education in the past. This is primarily because many of the home school families that made the news did not make the news for positive reasons. This is changing, however. Major universities, industry, and the military are all showing new interest in home schooled students. More families are considering home schooling as the problems of failing schools, overcrowding, bullying, and security concerns present themselves. Home schooling can be secular or religious based, and so can accommodate a broad spectrum of family needs.

Parents want the best educational atmosphere possible for their children, and children deserve the best opportunities. Each of the school situations mentioned have positive and negative aspects to them. Parents should not be afraid to make the best decision for their children, even if that decision is not the one others might choose. Consider all of the choices as the beginning of the school year approaches. And remember that any choice made, whether it is public, private, or home school, does not have to be a permanent solution.

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Linda Warren is a writer, crafter, and an advocate for preparedness. She has been actively home schooling one child for four years and counting with the Time4Learning curriculum.