Senor Parrot's Perch

Home Schooled Young Adults are More Politically Engaged

It’s not that I’m all that excited about home schooling, but I not much excited about public schooling. I read an interresting article tonight, entitled GenJ teaches Leadership, Civics, that reported that while overall about 50% of eligible adults vote, only about 30% of the 18-24 year age group will. So much for Rock the Vote.

J Michael Smith, the author of this article went on to compare this rate to the home schooled 18-24 year old group. These vote at about a 76% rate, that is, this segment is about 2.5 times more likely to vote. The article also reports that home schooled young adults are about 3 times more likely to make financial contributions and an amazing 14 times more likely to volunteer for a campaign. The author attributes this to the heavy emphasis on American History. The author goes on to say:

This is good news because it shows homeschoolers are not only interested in the study of our government, but they actively do something to try to improve it. One of the reasons for this heightened involvement in society is that many homeschool families teach American history, which shows how important it was during the founding of this nation to have men and woman who were well-educated and powerful advocates for their positions. The great acts of civic and political leadership that led to the adopting of the U.S. Constitution occurred in a period in history that many homeschoolers admire.

Homeschooling as an educational supplement

In another article, this one from the NewsChief.com site, Supplemental education: When the classroom isn’t enough, other programs can step in, Andrea Calcano Cruz reports quotes a mother of twin boys with special needs that

“It’s definitely working for us. What the teachers have to deal with, I could not honestly expect my child to walk in a classroom with 20 different kids and get the one-on-one attention they need,” Neil said. “They wouldn’t be able to flourish in a regular public school setting.”

However, its clear that things are all that rosy for every homeschooling family. Find the right curriculum, or at least one that fits the budget and the desires of the parent, isn’t always easy or even achieved.

With all those choices, Neil said trial and error is how she deciphers what works best for her boys.

Note: the photograph above, Homeschooling at the Moran home!, was taken form Flickr.