Homeschooling Sectarianism & How It Hurts Us

by Valorie Delp | More from this Blogger

30 Sep 2006 05:40 PM

Homeschooling is as political as it is a movement in education. Homeschooling is frequently associated with the religious right. Therefore, "right-wing" political causes are attached to home schooling. Take Generation Joshua for example. This is a civics program offered through HSLDA that teaches youth about civics by putting them on the campaign trail. Even HSLDA itself takes up causes that are not only central to home schooling but are central to conservative Evangelical Christian values.

Interestingly, recent statistics show there are about 1.2 million homeschoolers in the United States. However, those who would identify themselves as Christian Evangelicals make up less than 5% of that 1.2 million. The faces of home schooling now are Muslim, Jewish, pagan, Catholic and everything in between. But when it comes to capital hill, you only hear about the conservative right. Where has the other 95% gone?

Before I go further, if you don't already know, I must tell you that I am a part of that religious right. I think Generation Joshua is a fantastic idea, I support almost everything HSLDA is promoting on capital hill and we belong to a Christian homeschooling support group. I likely wouldn't even allow my children to attend a co-op that wasn't Christian. But home schooling sectarianism, I fear, will hurt the homeschooling cause in the long run.

Homeschooling sectarianism, is not the same as teaching your children your values or religion. Homeschooling sectarianism says, "we can't work with you on this homeschooling issue because we don't agree with your ideology or world view." And it goes both ways. I know several Christians who will not attend a rally with non-Christian homeschoolers because they can't agree with their beliefs. They'll only attend "Christian sponsored rallies." I've also read numerous "secular" or "all-inclusive" group's materials that warn their homeschoolers to "shun the right wing homeschoolers." They feel it is unfair of a group to push their core values on the whole homeschooling community.

What I can't quite figure out is why I have to agree with stated religious beliefs or whether or not same sex marriages are constitutional in order to agree that the right to homeschool should be protected. I'm not even sure that I have to agree with your methodology in order for us to be on the same page about certain homeschooling issues. The right for a parent to homeschool, is simply a right. It does not need to be polarized.

I am against the burdensome paperwork requirements in New York State. I also think it's pretty crummy that my daughter, when she's graduated, will have to obtain a GED if she wants to go to a SUNY or CUNY school. I imagine there are a lot of other homeschoolers who would agree with me--even though I'm one of those right wingers. When it comes to educational policy, the homeschooling would do a lot better to look beyond personal word views and join for a greater good.

Learn more about Valorie Delp

Hello everybody! My name is Valorie and I am one busy lady! When I'm not writing or editing for families, I am busy trying to get my brood of 5 in line.

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Megan Bayliss (3586) 30 Sep 2006 06:11 PM

Some interesting thoughts Valorie. You appear to have captured a balanced view. Polarization of any issue makes the end goal harder to achieve. However, all roads lead to Rome, so walking different paths to get to the same page is welcome in my book. Non practicing Christians, people of different faiths and left wingers are not bad people. Like you, I can only imagine that they want a decent and balanced education for their kids. It's a shame that both groups are separate in their struggle for the same end.

Valorie Delp (49340) 30 Sep 2006 07:25 PM

That is exactly my point Megan! I am quite happy to band together with anyone who supports the rights of homeschooling families. It is a shame to me that by refusing to see a common end goal just because of differing opinions over things that have very little to do with education per se.

Tristi Pinkston (10839) 01 Oct 2006 06:08 PM

What a great blog. While we do incorporate our own Christianity into our school, I wouldn't hesitate to join with homeschoolers of other faiths to promote homeschooling. Think of all the opportunites that are missed when we are so narrow-minded.

Valorie Delp (49340) 02 Oct 2006 04:40 AM

Thanks Tristi. I thought of this when I read something that said there are 1.2 million homeschoolers, but that only 30% are "Evangelical Christians" and yet major movements led on Capital Hill are all by this small group. What law changes could happen if it was one million people of many faiths speaking out?