| In this day and age we often find that, the more we | | | | as to what type environment their precious children |
| know the more we still have to learn. Whether it is in | | | | are being exposed to. It has become apparent to |
| discovering that the moon or Mars may contain water | | | | many that the private and public school systems are |
| to finding new species of ocean life, we continually | | | | becoming less about educating children as they are |
| come to the conclusion that there is much left to | | | | more about indoctrinating them into a world view |
| discover and learn about our universe and about | | | | contrary to the wishes of many parents. |
| ourselves. | | | | Into this field of concern come pioneers to the |
| This is also the case when it comes to the field of | | | | homeschooling movement Dr. Raymond and Dorothy |
| education. It wasn't that long ago that children were | | | | Moore. The many years of research and |
| receiving formal education in a one room schoolhouse | | | | documentation have led them to the forefront of this |
| with all age groups in attendance. This well-meant | | | | latest phenomenon to educating today's children. |
| approach quickly revealed many problems. In addition | | | | Among the many books they have published over the |
| to the difficulty controlling the older children to not | | | | years, one of those books is titled "Home-spun |
| unduly influence other children of a younger age, there | | | | Schools". |
| was the problem of reaching all minds with the | | | | This book offers two vitally needed areas of |
| standard curriculum regardless of age or level of | | | | information for any parent considering homeschooling |
| comprehension. | | | | their child: the testimony of the parents themselves and |
| Thus, it was in the best interest of children that we | | | | the legalese to know where to turn, so you don't run |
| began addressing these discrepancies by assigning | | | | afoul of the laws pertaining to homeschooling in your |
| grade levels deemed appropriate to their age level. | | | | state. |
| This was a marked improvement to teaching | | | | There are chapters covering a wide range of |
| according to comprehension level to a great degree, | | | | everyday citizens desirous to take control of their |
| with one exception: it was discovered that, regardless | | | | children's education and, by default, their future. Every |
| of same age to grade assignment, many children | | | | walk of life is represented in "Home-spun Schools" to |
| weren't comprehending the curriculum at the same | | | | give you the encouragement needed when considering |
| level as others in their peer grouping. | | | | the option of homeschooling. There are entries from |
| Enter the specialized educational opportunities | | | | bankers, builders, dentists, nurses, as well as teachers |
| commonly referred to as private or special education | | | | and single parents. |
| geared to individual ability. However, the standard form | | | | In addition, in chapter 13 titled "How To Deal With The |
| of education still remained within the public educational | | | | Law" you will find common sense approaches to |
| format. It was apparent though that neither of these | | | | determine the legal rights you have as a parent to |
| venues were completely satisfying. Either the private | | | | home school your child. There are test cases as well |
| schooling was economically out of reach for many | | | | as a wide range of information to ensure you are |
| children in need of special education or the public | | | | standing on legal ground. |
| system was still too much in the cookie cutter mold | | | | In "Home-spun Schools" the Moores have painstakingly |
| mentality. In recent years, there has emerged a third | | | | documented the voice of all of us, as well as given us |
| form of education: homeschooling. | | | | a solid start regarding the law, to provide incredible |
| In addition to the concerns of parents as to the quality | | | | evidence that children deserve the best opportunity to |
| of education their children receive within the private or | | | | succeed in their education and their life, and that can |
| public school system, there is also a very real concern | | | | include the decision to home school. |