Homeschoolers fall into the trap of comparing their teaching style and their child’s level to teachers and children in a traditional school. It isn’t all their fault. Well meaning family and friends often voice concerns about the ability of a homeschooled child to hack in a real classroom. The traditional school isn’t called traditional for nothing. It is our default idea of education and thus we tend compare our homeschools to it. Permission is granted to stop doing that today. No, don’t look back, just keep on going.
It is human nature to desire a measure of success. In and of itself that is not such a bad thing. The desire to succeed is positive and keeps you on your toes always aiming higher. Frustration sets in when that measure of success is misplaced. Fear sets in when that measure is self defining. Homeschool is frustrating and fearful like that. The last thing successful homeschooling can be measured by is a child’s ability to perform by the standards of a traditional school.
I know it is tempting to peek at state standards. I know you want accountability to prove are providing the best for your children. Let’s be real, most schools cannot measure up to what you can provide. Learning is not books; learning is life. Knowing “Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492” can only get you so far in life.
So what do I know, right? Probably not as much as it appears. However, I do have one child who never set foot in a classroom, taught by a mom who is clueless on state standards, and he scored a 98% in English and a 96% in math on the standardized test. I will be honest, most of the time I felt like I wasn’t doing enough and I took too many days off. I also have a daughter who entered high school for the first time this year and has a 4.2 GPA. She goes to a school specifically designed to train future engineers. I am terrible in math and felt like I failed teaching science. So, to those of us who still can’t help but compare…take comfort in that.
So, what is the measuring stick for a successful homeschool? A successful homeschool is measured by a child thriving on his own level and in his own time with a gently guiding and loving teacher who is his biggest advocate. It does not matter if your child can sit in a classroom and perform. It matters that you are growing a life long learner, a critical thinker, and a solider for Christ. Every homeschool is as unique as the individuals that comprise it. Believe it or not, comparisons will have a counter-productive effect and have a negative impact on your child’s education. (Not to mention your sanity.)