Education Reform

My friend Jessica posted this link on Facebook about Modernizing Education by Sir Ken Robinson. Go watch the video and then come back.


I really like the video animation and wholeheartedly agree with what he has to say. Even when I was in school, I remember wondering what the point was to the constant repetition and why certain things were required learning, when things that would have been really useful to learn weren't even taught. For example, I hated math in general but algebra in particular. I knew early on that math wasn't my strong suit and that I would not be going into any kind of career field that had an emphasis on math. However, I was required to take two years of algebra. Why? It would have been way more useful to have a math class that taught budgeting, how to balance a checkbook, how to price compare, how to understand credit, making good financial investments, etc. Instead I wasted two years memorizing the step-by-step process of how to solve different equations in order to facilitate a good grade, and then promptly forgot it all. I can say with certainty that I could not solve even a simple algebra equation, since my daughter has asked for help with her homework and I'm totally clueless.


This is an issue that has been at the forefront for me lately, not just in terms of deciding on how to educate my own children, but larger societal issues that are happening (like bullying) that all stem from the same problem. There are so many problems with our education system that it seems almost hopeless.


I had a great discussion with Mikaela last night and we are leaning towards homeschooling after next year. The thought of homeschooling for high school is simultaneously intimidating and so liberating. We will most likely do the Options program in our city, and she will be able to take college courses her junior and senior years and have her associate's degree when she graduates high school. She's already a grade ahead, so that means she can potentially have her bachelor's degree by age 19 if she chooses to just get it done right after high school. 


We want to create time for our family to participate in volunteerism, activism, travel, and simply to follow our dreams and have time to pursue them. I told Mikaela that high school culture in its present state doesn't reflect the values of our family nor cultivate the best in individuals. If I could sum up my plan for a curriculum, it will probably look like this:


Dream
Love
Laugh
Learn
Experience
Give


...Be the Change


We are jumping off the treadmill; disqualifying ourselves from the rat race, and intend to live life to the fullest whilst learning and loving, and probably dancing. It's going to be FUN.