Homeschooling FS Kids? It Worked for Us By Pat Olsen

Homeschooling FS Kids? It Worked for Us

Done right, Homeschooling can keep your kids' skills up to grade, plus yield unexpected bonuses.

By Pat Olsen

Back in 1989, if you had asked me whether homeschooling might be a good option for my children, I would answered with an emphatic "No!" A Foreign Service spouse with three young boys, I was sure that homeschool was an option chosen only by missionaries and a few counter-culture types.

What did it take to change my mind? The availability of a posting to Majuro, on an atoll in the Marshall Islands, where the house had its own palm-treed beach, a coral reef off the back deck, a bridge over the water to reach the front door, sailing and snorkeling every day of the year. Water shortages? No telephone? Questionable school? I was suddenly and enthusiastically willing to teach our kids so that we could have the adventure opportunity of a lifetime.

And so for two school years, 1989-1991, I homeschooled grades 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8. And what a time we had! We explored remote atolls, dove with sharks, snorkeled among giant clams, and swam through pristine coral reefs.

Our decision and dedication to making homeschool work were well worth it. We carefully followed and completed the Calvert School curriculum, which includes textbooks, school supplies and instruction manuals for a solid American-style education. As a result, all three boys later entered with ease an American international school at grade level. In addition, each boy picked up a little something extra that we think was a direct result of our homeschool. After six months, our seventh/eighth grader realized that procrastination was not a useful habit, so he developed good independent study skills which prepared him for entering high school at our next post. Our fourth/fifth grader enjoyed the extra challenge and quick pace of his own math class. Our second/third grader worked quickly and spent many extra hours reading while school was in session. He may have terrible handwriting, but he is an avid reader.

Little did I realize at the time how few Foreign Service families actually chose to homeschool. I couldn't help but laugh when I realized that I had fallen for the Foreign Service's quiet whisper of "homeschool" to sell exotic (and underbid) locales, thinking that it was then a common practice. When I briefly passed through Washington after the tour, the Family Liaison Office expressed surprise at finding someone who really had successfully homeschooled. No statistics were available in 1991 (nor are there any now) and the Office of Overseas Schools suggested to me that fewer than 10 Foreign Service families then homeschooled their children.

Times have changed. Homeschooling is now a popular and culturally acceptable choice in the United States. Many resources exist to support homeschools and state education laws have been written to respond to the rise in homeschooled children.

Talk it Over First

Before deciding to homeschool, members of a Foreign Service family should talk over the choice carefully and thoroughly. If schooling is not available at a given post, are there compelling reasons to take the assignment? Are local school options so unsatisfactory that students and parents prefer to homeschool?

And perhaps most important, is there a family member dedicated to being the homeschool teacher? The students need active teaching. If they are to give school first priority, so must the teacher.

Keep in mind that elementary and high school children have different academic, social and extra-curricular needs. Young students need to master reading and learn social skills such as cooperation. Teaching upper elementary math and science may be challenging to a homeschool teacher. Students should have experience with drama, art, music and sport. Students of any age need to make friends. Many experts believe that homestudy is more appropriate for elementary students because few of us as parents can offer the expertise needed to teach a complete high school program.

Choosing a good curriculum is very important. With the rise in popularity of homeschooling in the United States, more choices have become available. The goal of short-term homeschooling (which is entirely achievable) is to enable the child to move smoothly back into school at the expected American grade level. When reviewing programs, compare with the curriculum from your stateside school to determine what students study in a particular grade. Some curricula offer an advisory service, where students send in their work and tests to an assigned teacher for grading and recording. At the end of the course, the service will provide a transcript of work completed, simplifying transfer into a new school. The State Department offers limited funding for homestudy, designed to cover the cost of curriculum and any associated advisory service. (Refer to Standardized Regulation 270.)

Bring it With You All states now have regulations on homeschooling. The requirements vary, but many require certification of subjects to be taught and examination of student work and instructional materials. In addition, many states now require of all students specific achievements tests during selected grades covering subjects and information which your child will be responsible for having learned. (Not all will be as easy as the 6th grade literacy test my high school senior was required to take upon entering the Virginia school system.)

Many families who choose to homeschool do so because of the lack of educational opportunities at a small post. That means that families will probably have no resources except those they bring with them. A computer is essential today and the Internet provides unlimited opportunity to access information, adding a new dimension to homeschooling. Unlike our days in the Marshall Islands, American homeschoolers today are widely networked, offering assistance and support for students, teachers and families. Also bring maps, a globe, dictionary, thesaurus, a teacher supply catalog, a large selection of age-appropriate literature, an electric pencil sharpener, games and arts and craft supplies.

Successful homeschooling needs the entire family's support and cooperation. And be sure to include fun as an essential element. Homeschool, if done right, can be an adventure for you and your children.

Pat Olsen recently arrived at Embassy Chisinau, Moldova, where her husband Norm is DCM. She welcomes comments at pat@olsenglobal.com. She previously served in Kingston, Oslo, Washington, Majuro (Marshall Islands), Tel Aviv and Geneva.

This file last updated on January 26, 2001