About Homeschooling

It is not uncommon for parents who are unfamiliar, or only vaguely familiar, with homeschooling to have many questions and even concerns regarding the possibility of homeschooling their children. Homeschooling requires a true commitment on the part of the parents, but can yield tremendous dividends in the complete education of your child(ren). As a parent you want to do what is best for you child. This, of course, means your decision must be well informed and properly motivated. We think we can help you answer some of these questions.

What is Homeschooling?

Homeschooling, also known as home education, is a system of education whereby children are educated under the authority of their own parents, primarily within the context of the home. Homeschooling is a fundamentally different viewpoint, not simply regarding methods, but primarily regarding authority. Whereas the prevailing philosophy relegates the responsibility of curriculum and education to the goals and standards of the government, MÂCHÉ believes it is the parent’s responsibility and privilege to determine both the curriculum and the standards for their own children. MÂCHÉ also believes home education to be the best way for parents to fulfill their God-given calling of raising their children according to Christ-centered, biblical principles.

Is Homeschooling for me?

Home education requires commitment, consistency, and character. As with anything that is worth doing, it is worth doing correctly—and MÂCHÉ is here to help. Consider the following questions:

• Who do you want to teach your children?
• What do you want your children to be taught?
• What do you not want your children to be taught?
• How do you want your children to be taught?

These simple questions, Who, What, and How, will help you assess if you should move forward with the possibility of home education. Are you concerned with who it is that might be influencing your children in the years to come under government authority? Are you concerned with the educational priorities of government funded schools? Do you question the methods that may be used in an attempt to educate children?

If you have found yourself identifying with these questions and concerns we encourage you and your spouse to complete a self-evaluation to help you answer this important question: is homeschooling for me? Click here to take the evaluation.

What about other Options?

Certainly there are more than just two options that exist for children’s education. One of the most compelling “third options” in recent years has been Virtual Charter Schools. These schools provide a taxpayer-funded system which attempts to achieve a “compromise” between a public school education and a traditional homeschooling environment. The idea is that, using a government-sanctioned curriculum (like the popular K-12 program), the student can have a homeschool-like experience, while the parents enjoy such benefits as academic excellence and cost savings. Many parents rightly perceive the benefits that come from removing their children from the public school environment, but does it really provide the academic excellent that they desire? Do Virtual Charter Schools deliver on their promise?

Unfortunately, the answer to these questions is unquestionably “no”. The myth of academic excellence, and other Virtual Charter School mis-representations, have been powerfully addressed by the Idaho Coalition of Home Educators (ICHE). Their conclusion was that “the practical effect of enrollment in a virtual charter school program is to bring the public school district into the home of the student.” If you agree with the principles mentioned earlier in this article, that is the last thing you want for your children!

We enthusiastically recommend that you read ICHE’s entire analysis, located here.