| Myth: Homeschooled children are lacking in | | | | is something to meet the needs of every family. |
| opportunities for social interaction. | | | | Myth: All homeschoolers belong to a single religious |
| Reality: In the homeschool community this | | | | and political group. |
| question is usually met with looks of disbelief and | | | | Reality: People who believe this myth generally |
| a quiet chuckle. There are literally thousands of | | | | think that homeschoolers are "Christians with a |
| opportunities in Oregon for homeschooled children | | | | conservative political agenda." In fact, |
| to get together for activities. | | | | homeschoolers come from all walks of religious |
| Roller-skating, theater groups, study groups, | | | | and political life. For some, homeschooling is all |
| archery lessons, swimming, park days, recitals, | | | | about faith -- they feel compelled to do this from |
| and ski outings --- the list goes on and on. And, | | | | deeply held religious beliefs. |
| although all families do not enjoy access to this | | | | For those homeschoolers, (a wide variety of |
| wide variety, most do have the opportunity to | | | | Christian denominations, Jews, Bahais, Muslims, |
| play sports, to join community groups like scouts | | | | Buddhists, and a host of other religious |
| or 4-H and to participate in religious communities. | | | | preferences), homeschooling is an opportunity to |
| Children have the opportunity to develop | | | | more fully immerse their children in the spiritual life |
| friendships with children of widely varying ages. | | | | of their family and their religious community. But |
| They learn social skills from their families, and, in a | | | | for many, religion is not a deciding factor in why |
| supportive community, from those who are more | | | | they homeschool. It may be a matter of simply |
| experienced at getting along in the world. | | | | continuing a lifestyle that is family-centered. On |
| Myth: Homeschooled children lack "real world" | | | | the other hand, many seek out homeschooling |
| experience. | | | | after a negative experience with a public or |
| Reality: Homeschooled children are quick to point | | | | private school. Increasingly, families are choosing |
| out that they live very much in the "real world." | | | | homeschooling because they believe it is an |
| Life is not "on hold" during the day for | | | | excellent education option for their children. |
| homeschooling families. These children learn at an | | | | The reasons for homeschooling are as varied as |
| early age how to succeed in the world at large | | | | the families. For thousands of families, |
| because they participate in it with their families. | | | | homeschooling is a lifestyle choice, an education |
| They, for instance, shop, bank, and visit nursing | | | | choice or a health choice. |
| homes. | | | | Myth: Parents homeschool in order to cover up |
| Older children volunteer in the community, hold | | | | neglect. |
| part-time jobs, take classes, and participate in | | | | Reality: A parent who keeps a child home in order |
| mentoring projects with adults. | | | | to abuse or neglect that child is not homeschooling |
| This life experience adds up to well-rounded and | | | | and no homeschooling law could protect that child |
| capable young people who can successfully make | | | | or apprehend an abusive parent. |
| the transition to living on their own or to moving | | | | Parents who homeschool spend incredible amounts |
| on to college. | | | | of time with their children. |
| Myth: Homeschoolers all homeschool in the same | | | | People who do not want their children around do |
| way. | | | | not homeschool -- they send their children to |
| Reality: Just as in public and private schools, you | | | | school. It is easier and cheaper. |
| will find a wide array of education philosophies in | | | | Education laws are not effective deterrents to |
| the homeschooling community. The real strength | | | | abuse and should not be crafted for that purpose. |
| of homeschooling is that each family can choose | | | | Myth: Homeschoolers do not support the public |
| and implement that which works best for its | | | | schools. |
| children and its situation. They are not limited to a | | | | Reality: This is such a sad thought and so |
| "one-size-fits-all" curriculum, time frame, or | | | | thoroughly untrue. Homeschooling parents, |
| education philosophy. | | | | remember, are primarily the result of public school |
| Children can be given the gift of time to learn at a | | | | education. Most are college-educated. Their |
| pace that meets individual needs and the | | | | children’s' playmates most likely attend |
| resources to learn through their strengths. | | | | public school. Although a decision to homeschool is |
| The low child/parent ratio allows these children | | | | certainly a decision to keep the child out of the |
| large amounts of individual attention, contributing | | | | public/private school system, it is not necessarily a |
| to the homeschooling community's extremely high | | | | decision to withdraw support from the public |
| literacy rate. | | | | school system. Homeschool parents own homes |
| Myth: Parents are not qualified to teach difficult | | | | and pay taxes that provide financial support for |
| subjects. | | | | the schools. Some even volunteer in the schools |
| Reality: Although many students successfully opt | | | | or provide daycare for school-age children. A |
| to self-teach or to learn together with an | | | | choice to homeschool is not a vote against public |
| interested parent, the options for children extend | | | | or private schools. |
| well beyond the family. Some families choose to | | | | Myth: Homeschoolers without a GED or diploma |
| get together to form study groups around a | | | | have difficulty entering college. |
| particular subject and to hire a tutor. Some | | | | Reality: Hundreds of colleges across the country |
| students opt for community college classes. | | | | are enrolling homeschoolers without either a GED |
| Others barter help with one subject for help in | | | | or a diploma: state colleges, Ivy League colleges, |
| another. | | | | private colleges and community colleges. |
| Classes over the Internet or the television are | | | | Colleges are interested in capable, motivated |
| increasingly available options for many families, as | | | | learners and responsible people. They find both in |
| are videos and computer software. | | | | homeschooled students. |
| Learning options are excellent and varied so there | | | | |