jennifer-roberts Important Note: I am not anti-public school. I am pro-homeschool.
Education is a powerful tool. Like true love, authentic education that centers the needs of Black students is revolutionary. In a 2003 speech at the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” I agree. Unfortunately securing high quality educational opportunities that serve Black children can be difficult, but it is not impossible.
Education is one of the most beautiful expressions of love. It has the power to transform what a child believes about himself, how he sees himself and how he shows up in the world. The formal and informal educators to whom our children are entrusted can help our children soar to new heights or hinder their ability to believe that they can fly at all. Education is that powerful. We must treat our children’s education as the fragile and precious resource that it is, which can mean choosing an alternative to public school like homeschool.
Far too many Black students enrolled in public school are barely surviving opposed to reaching their highest personal potential while enjoying their educational journey. Daily, they are robbed of learning in environments where they are valued, seen and heard and where their humanity is prioritized. They are regularly cheated of authentic engagement with culturally relevant teaching materials and Black teachers who actively care about them. They are being denied the space to explore content that is important to them and to be exposed to Black people who are already working in these disciplines. Instead, they are forced to glean what they can in environments that were not designed for their success.
Parents know their children best; they are the experts in their children and best know how to meet their educational needs. Think about your child’s disposition, natural gifts and interests. Maybe your child is naturally gifted at drawing or painting or at verbally communicating with others. Perhaps you have a child that aspires to become an educator or a veterinarian. Homeschooling offers the flexibility for your child to explore classes and experiences in art, speech, animal science, agriculture, farming, education and veterinary studies as part of their school day instead of hoping for a weekly afterschool or community club or a summer camp to immerse themselves in these experiences. It also affords parents the opportunity to take field trips, schedule interviews with community leaders and shadowing opportunities.
Imagine your Black child learning in an environment that was lovingly and carefully curated for them by you and other like-minded community members. Think of how your child will grow in conditions that were set up for him/her to succeed? Think of how much more confident your child can become in an environment that values him/her and intentionally incorporates resources for their personal growth and development. These learning conditions are indeed possible with your ability to believe that public school may not be the best option for your child and your commitment and participation.
Homeschooling may sound terrifying to some parents/guardians and to others it may sound liberating. Both are valid responses. Crafting our children’s educational experience takes a tremendous amount of work but so does advocating for what we know they need in a public school system that was not designed to meet those needs. Homeschooling your child will not be easy, but it will be well worth the investment of your time, energy, research and resources. And you don’t have to do this work alone; there are communities of like-minded people who can support you in a variety of ways. Today’s homeschooling families have access to legal advisement, virtual and in-person conferences, veteran homeschooling parents/guardians, homeschool social groups, co-ops, social media groups and parents/guardians who are invested in creating relevant and meaningful educational experiences for their children. There are also social media and in person groups that specifically support Black homeschooling families.
Our children’s education is one of the most important investments that we make in their development and long-term well-being. They only get one childhood, and mediocrity should never be an option. If you are considering breaking up with your child’s public school and joining the homeschooling community, take some time to answer these preliminary questions.
What are my expectations/goals for my child’s education?
What are my priorities for my child’s education?
Is public school meeting my expectations?
What has been the response by my child’s administrators and teachers to my child?
What has been the response by my child’s administrators and teachers to my advocacy?
If my child enjoys attending public school, what aspects does he/she enjoy?
What do I know/believe about homeschooling?
How can homeschooling help me reach my expectations for my child?
Am I able to commit to homeschooling my child? What support do I desire? What support do I need?
Do I know other homeschooling families in my geographic area?
What skills do I have to contribute to the homeschooling community?
What am I willing to invest in ensuring that my child has the best education possible?
The choice to break up with public school and homeschool our children is a major one that can yield invaluable results. The decision also requires a surrender of the hope that public school is the best educational option which can be a difficult part of the process. This tension can leave parents/guardians in limbo for a long time and in a long-term, toxic relationship with the public school system in which our children become collateral damage. I encourage you to think about what is best for your child and what choice will help your child become the highest expression of himself/herself.
