So I think there is really only one thing left to say. I will continue to write because I am sure my relatives, at least, are still reading.
Here in town we have what I would consider to be a good charter school. I think I mentioned that somewhere along the line, and I know I said that I truly believed that someone could meet the faith criteria and still use the school. If you have read the whole series, you know my conscientious objection is primarily political and economic, though, naturally, my faith informs it all.
With that said, I now need to mention that the charter school is meeting a need for some families, or it wouldn’t be as successful as it is.
Some people feel they really need the financial benefit. Some need the social aspect. {These sorts of people are called “extroverts” and I have been told they actually feel energized by leaving their homes and seeing other people. Baffling, isn’t it?} Some find the structure and accountability helpful because they can be really flighty on their own. Some are leaving traditional school for the first time, and they feel like this is helping them ease into homeschooling. Some think it is fun.
I think the next generation of our family will have it easier. They won’t have to try and visualize what a typical day at school at home will look like, they will remember from their childhood. They will be able to modify the things we had to create from scratch.
I think that private Christian schools will find they have a market if they can think of a way to offer some of what a charter school offers for a price families can afford. This would allow a family to enjoy the services without the socialistic consequences.
I think that churches can offer a lot simply be being supportive. Our church created a homeschool library, and some subjects have been basically free because it was from books the church gave to me. Which were really books other homeschooling families gave to me. Our church is also trying to begin a group that helps homeschool families find a community of others on the same journey. Another church in our town has an umbrella high school.
I think that having friends, older homeschooling families, to trouble-shoot with will help. And having other friends at about the same stage will also help. And if you don’t have that, reading good blogs {like this and this} can help.
My sister and I take turns emailing each other in a panic. This is helpful, too.
I think praying can help. Reading the Bible can help. Conferences with the principal can help.
For us, the challenge is to first discern what is right, and then decide how to live in light of it. I don’t think it is enough to stop at the lines we will not cross. We have to pass that stage, and then look for the way we want to go and follow that path.
We don’t want to charter school, so we’re done with that subject.
However, what do we want to do? What do we want education as a family to look like? These are the next set of questions, the questions I like to ask, because it seems that a whole world opens up and there really are a lot of options. I think we are beginning to get a vision for our family education. I hope you are getting one for yours, too.
On the hardest of days, the vision is everything to keep you going. On the best of days, it shows you that the dream is coming true.
Introduction
Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV
Part V
You’re reading Ending Note
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