First, a definition. For the purposes of this article, and this blog for that matter, this is what homeschooling means:
Primary responsibility for education lies with the parent who designs a learning plan or curriculum that fits their child. The parent is free to pick and choose materials, schedules or even services for the child whose learning is based at home.
It does not mean complete separation from any public agency involvement. I understand that to many homeschoolers Outside (lower 48) it does mean complete separation. But I use the term as commonly used here in the Great Land.
When I say Alaska offers the best of both worlds it means that a family that wants to homeschool independently without State involvement is completely free to do so. Or, if a family wants to participate in a public homeschool program they are completely free to make that choice as well. This freedom of choice gives us the best of both worlds, independent or enrolled in a program.
In Alaska, homeschool is considered a mainstream choice for education and allows the great freedoms I’ve mentioned. Here are some reasons why:
- Legislative intent of homeschool statute is clear. Alaska Statute (14.30.01) states that every child between seven and 16 years of age shall attend school…(unless) a child is being being educated in the child’s home by a parent or legal guardian. This is very boring and subtle but it’s a huge deal. The legislature is saying that if a child is not homeschooled he/she has to attend school. The default is not public school it’s homeschool.
- Legislative intent for charter schools is clear. I won’t quote another dull statute but will say that curriculum and scheduling freedom is implicit in charter school law.
- Independent homeschoolers are just that, independent. They are the freest homeschoolers in the nation. No degrees or certifications required, nor reporting, nor testing, nor standards, nor nasty forms. Very cool.
- Statewide correspondence schools have brought a level of choice to homeschoolers. There are numerous schools like this who enroll students outside their local districts. Along with charters they have added free market choice to home education. These are the schools that have had curriculum limitations placed on them by the State. It’s a controversy I won’t get into but the main issue is local control of schools and funds.
- The homeschooling population has increased because of charter and correspondence schools. Folks who likely would have never taken the leap are now homeschooling because they find the support and resources they need.
- Homeschool is a last chance for students who have failed to thrive in a brick-and-mortar school. I could tell great stories of defeated kids and desperate parents who were able to watch their child graduate because they learned how to tailor an education for their child at home.
- Alaska homeschoolers of all flavors form a substantial, vocal, active and very politically influential voting bloc. Today we have a governor and legislature that are pro-homeschool. For this we are grateful. Yet still vigilant.
- Alaska is a unique place. The Last Frontier is the largest state, one-fifth the size of the lower 48 states. It’s huge! But, most of it is inaccessible by road or rail. (Alas, we need more ‘bridges to nowhere.’ That’s how nowheres become somewheres. Oops, sorry, couldn’t help myself.) The State, through the years, has taken a progressively more cooperative posture in an effort to deliver adequate education to remote areas. It’s a practicality that supports liberal policy towards homeschools.
All of the above have contributed to a healthy attitude toward homeschool in the public. At a recent Anchorage School Board meeting I listened amazed as the president stated that the future of education is individualized learning and there is a lot to be learned from homeschoolers. This is one of the largest districts in the nation. Unthinkable ten years ago.
Our homeschool privileges are not threatened or in any danger of being stolen from us unawares. What we have is guaranteed by statute and it takes an awful long time to make laws. I don’t know about other states but passing a bill into law is a very messy, noisy and public process. There is not any movement afoot to my knowledge to limit or repeal privileges but we need to have a healthy cynicism and pay attention.
If there are other states that offer this level of liberty and choice please let me know. I’d love to hear about it.
I know Alaska has a tradition of having many homeschoolers, originally due largely to the geography. I read and agree with your post. But I do know why most people, including me normally, are not supportive of state supplied homeschooling curriculum. It is because we see how in the lower 48 it might create an expectation among the public that homeschooling is state run. Most homeschoolers in the states probably feel that it took a long time to secure the right to educate their children, and they fear that right will be snatched away by too much bureaucracy and red tape ultimately. I guess people just think it is a slippery slope. But there are plenty of new homeschooling families coming to the scene who don’t know or care about the history of homeschooling and who see state provided assistance with homeschooling merely as a helping hand. They don’t anticipate that it might alter the definition of homeschooling for most. Who knows if any of this would actually occur, but it does seem possible so I think most folks are just overprotective.
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