Homeschooling

Examine Advice

“I can’t tell you everything we’ve learned. You’ll compare my friend’s children to mine, and penalize them. She isn’t teaching as much.”

When I reviewed homeschoolers’ portfolios for the local public school system, I was shocked and saddened to hear this disinformation. The only standard for evaluation was the state homeschool law.

“Why do you believe this?” I asked about this and other erroneous statements.

“The leader of my support group warned me,” or “I read it in a magazine.”

What did I learn along the way?  Respected leaders both knowingly and unknowingly gave bad advice. Most expressed legitimate concerns, but some operated out of fear. Others had agendas: increased membership or profits from their products.

Our public school system did not want conflict. Neither did it have the resources to make homeschoolers’ fears come true.  My supervisor believed in the value of homeschooling.

What did I do? I became wiser in my carefulness. I particularly examined advice that produced fear or advised secrecy. It’s common sense but easy to forget when you are passionate about a cause. Even homeschooling. I did.

Be wise as a serpent, yet innocent as a dove.

Matthew 10:16 ESV

What advice have you questioned?

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