Response to Dr. Phil Homeschooling Show

Below is the letter I sent to Dr. Phil. He did a show on homeschooling which almost tried to be positive, but then was a setup. It was definately a show for ratings. I'm fairly certain he did it to elicit a response, and he got one. Many, many people have blogged and written. I'm using his show as an excuse for a blog entry on homeschooling: enjoy!

Dear Dr. Phil,
I should say, my poor, dear Dr. Phil. I am so sorry that you chose to do a show about homeschooling. It is apparent that you lack experience and genuine exposure to the homeschooling lifestyle. While I do appreciate that you have homeschooling “helps” linked to your website, you overall negative portrayal of what is far more than a decision regarding education will only prove harmful to many American families.
Those of us who are decidedly pro-homeschooling usually know how to defend our position, if we even care to do so. Those who are decidedly anti-homeschooling also know how to defend their position. Your show could only hope to help those who are undecided. It did no such thing. While you were sure to show a young lady who did not enjoy her homeschooling experience, you sorely neglected to show one who did. As with any parenting/home situation, there is such a variety of experience that a one-hour show could not possibly cover such a broad topic. For a family considering this avenue, your show would only help to inflame areas of potential disagreement.
There are several areas with which I have issue:
1. Socialization. According to the National Home Education Research Institute www.nheri.org , their research shows that, in general, homeschoolers come out of their developmental and teen years with far superior social skills. They are far more likely to be socially and civically active..sometimes by as much as 70% over their traditional schooled counterparts.
2. Unschooling. Many homeschoolers use a variety of education options in their “school”. The home IS the school. If you were to spend some time at a homeschool co-op and quiz the parents and children there, you would see such variety of education! Some children are very late readers and need the unschooling/hands on approach. (My own children planted a garden with me lately.) In our own home, we use textbooks, videos, competitions, field trips, vacations, biographies, literature, the library, community activities, and just plain old play – really:just like a traditional school would. We also unschool quite a bit. For instance, my children went on a worm-hunt for fun after a rain. When they came inside, we pulled out some books on worms, and looked up pictures on the internet. Most homeschoolers and many traditional schoolers “unschool” – it’s called having a conversation.
3. Homeschooling through High School. Homeschoolers have some very distinct advantages when homeschooling through High School. My daughter is one example in that she is ready and able to begin ninth grade work – she is 12. She is not the exception. Many homeschoolers choose to begin their high school early. If she chooses, she could graduate and begin college early.
a. A second benefit is that she has the flexibility in her schedule to take dual-credit classes if she chooses. She can take classes at the local college for both high-school and college credit. Then she would graduate HS as a college sophomore.
b. Also, due to the flexibility of schedule, the homeschooler is able to begin participating in the real world as soon as they are ready. I know of one young lady who interned at a veterinarian clinic for half of her HS day, and did her schoolwork the other half.
c. Socially-there are many opportunities for homeschooled high-schoolers to interact with their peers. Our own co-op is hosting a spring formal.
Sir, these are just a few issues. In general, the misconceptions and prejudices about homeschooling which pervade the common consciousness are nothing more than hearsay. In my letter, I have not even begun to address the number of situations when homeschooling becomes necessary such as medical and special need situations. Would you put undo strain on those families by accusing them of making a mentally unhealthy decision (with objections easily overcome by the way)? I also did not touch on the fact that many of our nations early leaders were never “formally” schooled (ie. Patrick Henry) or that most of early America was not “formally” schooled – and at that time, we had the most healthy community situation (barring some socially acceptable practices such as slavery) and our nation’s literacy rate was near 97%!
Indeed, I do hope you will reconsider your approach to such a volatile topic. This is an issue which can and has divided families due to the misinformation running rampant in this age of “experts”.
The last and most personal issue is of the “age of experts” in which we now live; many of us (especially those like myself who were latch-key kids) are grateful for the opportunity we have in America to be personally involved in the raising and education of our children. We choose to be involved on a daily, hourly level and to raise our children ourselves. We don’t want the “experts” raising and educating our children.
Thank you for your time and attention.