Families change face of homeschooling

Jamie Musick

04/02/07 — “You can do anything if you put your mind to it,” Tressa Scott said. That even includes turning a basement into a trip through Irish history. At Kathy Scott’s Conneautville home, daughter Tressa, a homeschooled sixth-grader, spent a month with her younger siblings, Keri, Alayna and Jordan, and cousins, Laura and Ethan Mona, to write and perform their own Irish play.

What started out as “crazy genealogy stories that Grandma (Janet Scott) told us,” according to Laura, turned a family history lesson into a “fun” experience. “We (the Scotts and Monas) have a lot of Irish relatives, so we decided to do a play,” said Laura, a sixth-grader. “Tressa and I wrote a lot of the play and came up with ideas for the best dialogue.”

The play was based on each family’s ancestors leaving Ireland to come to America, as well as the Irish potato famine. Along with the play, the children also wrote a research paper.

Both families homeschool their children in the Scott’s home through hands-on activities. The Scotts and Monas are just two of thousands of Pennsylvania families who have embraced homeschooling within the past 20 years.

Since homeschooling was authorized by the state Legislature in 1988, the number of homeschooled students in the state showed a steady increase through the 1990s and early 2000s before topping off at about 23,000.

Though Pennsylvania’s numbers have leveled off, some observers see it as a signal of strength, because other states have declined significantly in recent years. Pennsylvania’s homeschool enrollment remains strong, experts say, because the state committed early on to a certification program — a recognized graduation/diploma provision in a variety of fields — “that still has (Pennsylvania) ahead of most other states,” according to a report on pahomeschoolers.com.

Also, cyber school numbers are climbing across Pennsylvania, and those enrollments are not included as homeschool enrollments, which likely reduced the overall homeschool figures.

Within Crawford County alone, 203 students are homeschooled, including 80 in Crawford Central School District, 25 in Conneaut School District and 98 in PENNCREST School District.

According to Kathy, homeschooling provides the opportunity for family trips, such as camping and other outings, that are very educational. “They do life skills,” she said. “The whole day becomes school, and the kids don’t even know it. There’s a deeper level of learning when there’s that flexibility (to take trips).”

“We try to keep the children on a continual schedule as a whole,” she added. “Conneaut School District has been very supportive and kind. They call us when assessments are due,” which includes turning in a yearly binder of each student’s progress in each subject, according to Kathy.

“I believe the children benefit because we can tailor each learning style to each student,” said grandmother Janet. “They get everything the kids in local schools get. There are those who homeschool to seclude themselves, but the majority of homeschooling families are interesting in rearing community servants and responsible citizens.”

“It’s what your family makes of it,” said Londa, mother of Ethan and Laura. “We choose to be involved in the community, including church and social activities.”

Meanwhile, in Dr. Rebecca Lashbrook’s office in Meadville, a science lesson was underway. Rebecca’s ninth-grade daughter, Bethany, joined Trenton and Jordyn Gladis, all from Meadville, as well as Elijah Mattocks of Saegertown, for a frog dissection. Bethany, Jordyn and Trenton are homeschooled under Crawford Central School District’s oversight, while Elijah is homeschooled in the PENNCREST School District.

“At first, it was disgusting,” said Jordyn, an eighth-grader, about the dissection. “Then I got used to it and learned a lot.”

“We do a lot of activities,” added Trenton, who is in 10th grade. “I like the personal attention (of homeschooling) and being able to get my work done and then go outside. My favorite subject is history and I get to go on a lot of field trips to historical places.”

According to Elijah and Bethany, homeschooling has affected them in a positive way. “I went to public school through third grade,” Elijah said. “I like homeschooling. I get better grades now because it’s more one-on-one than in the classroom.”

“I think I communicate better with people,” Bethany added. “I get my work done quicker and then I can spend more time with my family.”

Each of the students also turn in a binder for an evaluation of progress, according to Debbie, mother of Trenton and Jordyn. “The children enjoy learning, so it’s something they’ll carry through college,” she said. “They know how to dig into a subject and they aren’t dependent on a teacher. I think that by instilling the love of learning, they’ll go a long way. It may be out of the norm (to homeschool), but if you have the opportunity, it’s an adventure for both the children and parents”



What is homeschooling?

In 1988, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed Act 169, amending the Pennsylvania School Code to allow parents or guardians to homeschool their children as an option to mandatory school attendance. This law specifies the requirements and responsibilities of the parents and the school district where the family lives.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, each student’s portfolio of records and materials, standardized test results and annual written evaluation of educational progress must be provided to the superintendent of the public school district of residence by June 30 of each school year.

Homeschooling expands educational options for parents, according to two area school district administrators. “I think people now have the opportunity to choose a variety of choices for education,” said Conneaut Assistant Superintendent Robert Cryder. “I think they (parents) need to make choices about what’s appropriate for them.

“I think it’s valuable for some, but I wouldn’t recommend it for everyone, he said. “I think sometimes people choose homeschooling for the wrong reasons. I think some people do it to get away from regulations about the way the school is set up.

“(Also) I think there are some children whose families want them to have a well-rounded education in a Christian background, and I think that’s fine.”

“Homeschooling is one of the alternatives under the school code,” said PENNCREST Superintendent Richard Borchilo. “I believe it’s the choice of the parents and many do a good job. If they believe homeschooling is the right decision, they should exercise that right under the school code. Each family’s needs are unique and homeschooling may provide the need for certain families to provide the education that’s best for their child.”

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