Home Education:  Disciplining your Children or just another “Educational Option”?   

I believe this is a question that will someday face many as they seek God’s Word for answers to raising their children.  Some parents chose to home school before their children were born because they understood the scriptural mandate of Deut. 6: 7 “and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up”.  Following this pattern, God began to turn the hearts of the father to his children (Malachi 4:6).  The education and training of children is under the jurisdiction of the family…not the state or the church!  I recently read a book that compared the responsibility of raising children to the wise or unwise steward parable in Matthew 25: 14-30.  Are not children given to raise for the purpose of glorifying God?  We are only His stewards.  Matthew tells us the reward of the unjust steward.  This may cause you to evaluate the stewardship of your children in a new light! 

As the homeschool movement has been blessed by God and grown in magnitude and influence, it has now become much more socially acceptable in our culture.  However, along with this growth, there has been a watering-down of the convictions of those families who choose to home educate.  The “whys” of home schooling are being displaced by the “hows”.  I receive calls every day at the CHEO office from parents who are distraught with the state schools… concerns with personal safety, objectionable curriculum, and negative socialization abound.  I am delighted to assist these families as they bring their children home and begin to home educate them.  Perhaps I may be used by God to serve as His tool to accomplish His will with these families.  But oh, how my heart stirs with joy when that family calls, with only a preschooler, knowing that God has ordained this method of education and training for their family and are committed to doing His will.   

What we see coming in the near future will be a blending of educational options.  As local administrators see the control (and funds) fade away from their district, many will begin to offer “crumbs” to entice homeschoolers back into the fold.  These services may include curriculum, sports, band or club participation, assistance with testing, or college financial aid guidance, etc.  Please be forewarned!  There is NOTHING you receive from the state that does not come with strings attached!  Government money (federal, state or local) must be accounted for. 

Charter schools are a new state option that may be enticing to homeschoolers. These schools will be looking for students outside of the mainstream…more students means more money.  One such newly approved, fully on-line, K-12 charter school is drawing a lot of attention here in Ohio.  Targeting homeschoolers as potential students, this school offers complete on-line learning (you never have to go to a “school”), free computers and software for its program, an accredited diploma from the state, and other benefits which may sound appealing to those who may be insecure and fall into this trap.  Please be aware that those who enroll in this type of school are no longer considered homeschoolers.  They are students who are enrolled back into the entire state system (including EMIS) and under the authority of the State Department of Education.  The student will be required to take all the tests and meet the same requirements for graduation that any other state school student must.  Both Melanie Elsey and Diana Fessler have articles in this issue that address their concerns with this method of schooling.  Please take the time to read them and understand the issues. 

I speak as a voice of caution to all those families who have chosen to home educate their children.  If you are homeschooling…God has given you a higher calling!  He has provided you with a way to draw the hearts of your children back to him and to you.  Have faith that “He who has called you will complete the work.”  You don’t need the state to finish or supplement what you are doing.   

Please pray for the leadership of CHEO that we have the wisdom to understand the issues and the understanding to make decisions which will be honoring to God.