Letter – about homeschooling – by Shelia Bridgman

I am writing in response to Wilbur Bush’s "Letter to the Editor" on Feb. 9.

I agree that there are always exceptions to every rule; however, I feel that in the homeschooling arena, the "successes" are the rule and not the exceptions.

In regard to public school, we have a lot of good, motivated, effective teachers, but there are also exceptions to that where there are teachers that are failing in their job. That has been on the news, not just a personal opinion. I would like to share with Mr. Bush and the community a positive view of homeschooling.

First, I would like to share some statistics. More than 1,000 schools of higher education, including Harvard and Yale, accept homeschooled students. In Pennsylvania in 1999, the average score for home schoolers’ on the S.A.T. was 602 verbal and 550 math. Traditionally schooled students’ averages were 498 verbal and 495 math. Wheaton College stated, "We recognize the particular assets they (homeschoolers) bring to college life: initiative, independent learning, and creative thinking."

In 2009, Dr. Brian Ray released a study on the progress of homeschooled students compared to their publicly schooled counterparts. The report drew from 15 independent testing services, included 11,739 homeschooled students from all 50 states who took three well-known tests – A.C.T., S.A.T., and Iowa Basic Skill Test. The National Average Percentile Scores were as follows for homeschool students: Reading – 89; Language – 84; Math – 84; Science – 86; Social Studies – 84. The National Average Percentile Scores for public school students: Reading – 50; Language – 50; Math – 50; Science – 50; Social Studies – 50.

Some of the things available to homeschool families are, for one, the Internet. They also have access to very good materials and books. Our younger homeschooled grandchildren’s math books are the same as their cousins’ math books in public school. One of the biggest assets is the homeschool coops. The coop in St. Joseph that our grandchildren attend offers band, choir, chemistry, advanced math, debate, Spanish, history, acting, cooking, chess, and various other classes. Many, if not most, of the teachers have college degrees in their area of teaching, and have chosen to give up careers to stay home and teach their children, plus share their talents and abilities teaching other families’ children in the coop.

The mother teaching chemistry and debate is a doctor specialized in internal medicine who gave that career up to stay home with her children. The homeschool group also has volleyball and basketball teams that play against private schools. They have debate tournaments against other groups. There are three seniors this year taking an advanced college math course. They performed the musical play "Oliver Twist" a couple of years ago for their spring finale, and were asked to perform again, open to the public. They had three sellout performances.

Their chess team went to United States Chess Federation Super Nationals IV Tournament in Nashville, Tenn., and took first place in their division (ninth grade and below) competing against 25 other teams, including public school students. The coop’s choir was invited to sing at Jefferson City at the Capitol.

Our grandchildren and many of the other homeschool students are involved in TeenPact Leadership classes in Jefferson City each year. TeenPact is a comprehensive leadership experience that brings kids closer to Jesus Christ, makes them better leaders, and positions them to impact public policy in their state. They learn how our government works, they get to meet a lot of the important officials at the Capitol, and they have workshops.

One very important part of homeschooling is the development of character, which is just as important, in my opinion, as knowledge. I just want to encourage parents that may consider homeschooling. It can be very successful and there are a lot of things available for help and support. The coops are wonderful opportunities. Especially if you are a Christian, and God has put this on your heart, and you are willing to seriously commit to the task, I truly believe God will bless that and equip and enable you to do it.

Mr. Bush seems to feel the homeschoolers are missing out on many things. My husband’s thought was, considering all of the above, "What are they missing other than the bullying, sexual harassment, and access to drugs we hear about?"

We would like to invite Mr. and Mrs. Bush to the homeschool spring finale this year so they can see first hand what is going on and meet some of the parents and students. I think they would be blessed.

Shelia Bridgman