In the past, I have had mixed opinions on the topic of homeschooling. I had voiced my opinion in previous posts that I was completely against it, and I’m not going to go back and find those, but let me explain my reasons. Several years ago, we knew a few homeschool families that, in my opinion, were “doing it wrong.” One of the moms was a high-school dropout that I felt was completely unqualified to be teaching her children, in my opinion.
The other families– well, let’s just say their kids were socially inept. They had kept their kids so sheltered from the outside world that they had no knowledge of how to interact with other children. Now I think that’s just plain wrong. Eventually, your kids are going to have to be introduced to the outside world. All of us “regular schoolers” aren’t evil and our kids aren’t all bad influences. I understand wanting to shelter your kids from some of the bad things that can happen in schools, but seriously, there’s a right and a wrong way to do it.
So, anyways… While I used to be completely against it, let’s just say I have been introduced to more and more families since then that seem to be doing homeschooling the “right way.” Families that amaze me, and families that I wish I could be more like. Point taken, homeschooling families. I’m taking my words back. Most of you have proved me wrong.
Now, on to my real reason for this post.
Over the last week or so, I have been hearing some stories in the news about a new bill being proposed that would allow parents in Iowa that homeschool their children to be allowed to teach their children Drivers’ Education rather than having go through the required course like my children do.
In Iowa, “drivers education” consists of 30 hours of classroom time with a certified Drivers Education instructor. In addition to the classroom time, the student will have 6 hours of driving time with the instructor. Also, an additional 20 hours of driving time with the parent/guardian is required, with at least 2 hours of the 20 being when it is dark outside. The cost for Driver’s Education course in the State of Iowa runs approximately $300-$350. In our area, all of the schools contract with private companies for Driver’s Education. You can either sign up through your school, or you can go out on your own and sign up through one of the private companies yourself.
So, my question is… and what’s really yanking my chain today… why should those who homeschool be able to get out paying for a state-required course for their children? They don’t have to take it through the school. My kids didn’t go through the school district either. We went through Drive-Tek, paid $325, and my daughter went to an office building four nights a week for three weeks last summer for three hours each night. She also had scheduled driving appointment times throughout those three weeks.
What makes someone who homeschools more qualified to teach their child how to drive than ME? Why should someone who homeschools their children not have to pay the $325 fee for these classes that I have to pay for each of my four children to be able to drive? It doesn’t seem quite fair. This has nothing to do with the school system. If homeschooling parents are qualified, then the State needs to do away with Drivers’ Education altogether. Just let us all teach our own kids how to drive. Then when it is time for them to get their licenses, each child will be required to pass a written test and driving test.
But giving special privileges to one group of parents and not to another is where I draw the line. Is there something I am missing here?
What’s your take on this?
