Reader seeks apology on homeschooling

Letters

March 13, 2012

Reader seeks apology on homeschooling

Anonymous CNHI News Service The Star Herald Tue Mar 13, 2012, 06:24 PM CDT

KOSCIUSKO — I am writing in response to a letter printed last week (March 1) from Mr. Fred Hickmon addressing charter schools and homeschooling. First I say thanks to the dedicated teachers in this community who care about their students and are attempting to make a difference.

I believe it is a parent’s God given responsibility first and foremost to teach their children. It takes sacrifice and dedication on their part to see that the children have the best education possible be it public, private, charter, or homeschool. I do not know enough facts about charter schools to speak on this, but I do take offense to some of the comments about homeschool. It is my belief that not every child is suited for homeschooling, however, I will tell you what facts I do know.

Homeschooled children are not lazy or lacking in discipline. Many things cannot be taught from a textbook. Tax dollars do Not pay for home schooling! In fact parents who teach their children at home pay separate school taxes which contribute to the payroll for public school teachers. Homeschooled students are not slow or disabled. Some of the brightest students in our universities were taught at home.

My husband and I chose to homeschool our children for our own personal reasons. Did they sit in front of a computer all day? NO. Did they learn anything? Well read on and you decide:

Our oldest graduated ABEKA curriculum in 2001 in the upper percentile of his class. Was he motivated? So much so that he started each day at 5 a.m. so that he could work in construction. He now owns and operates a successful towing business in Kosciusko.

Our daughter graduated last year using Alpha Omega curriculum. She currently attends Holmes Community College where she maintains a 3.86 GPA. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society and plans to attend a four year university in the future. She also maintains a part-time job while attending school.

So, Mr. Hickmon, they may not have had what you view as “real school, real teachers, or a real education,” but I think they have grown to be responsible adults for which I am very proud. These are just two examples of homeschooled students. There are many more in this area.

By the way, my grandchildren are presently homeschooled and doing well. I say thank you to my daughter-in-law for her courage and devotion in seeing that they have the best education suited to them.

Mr. Hickmon, an apology to the truly dedicated homeschooling families would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Susanne Townsend

West, MS

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