Thinking in the Midst 51. On Homeschooling and Self-Directed Learning
Aug 9, 2024
Join Kyle Greenwalt, an associate professor from Michigan State specializing in homeschooling research, and Krystal Dillard, co-director of the Natural Creativity Center in Philadelphia, as they explore innovative education beyond traditional schools. They delve into the diverse motivations behind homeschooling—from safety and liberation to health and burnout. Discover how self-directed learning fosters creativity, and hear about the philosophical roots of education that emphasize learner autonomy. Their insights shed light on redefining the home-school relationship and valuing care in education.
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Teachers Homeschooling Sparked Curiosity
- Kyle noticed many skilled progressive teachers in his area were homeschooling their children and living a DIY lifestyle.
- That observation and his experience as a parent expanded his interest in home-school relationships and schooling's limits.
Homeschooling Is A Spectrum, Not A Binary
- Kyle urges reframing homeschooling as part of a spectrum rather than an either/or with public school.
- He argues schooling has de-skilled families by making school the sole site of learning and we should reassess home-school relationships.
Test Scores Mask Home Contributions
- Kara notes accountability regimes misattribute learning to schools because tests capture combined home and school effects.
- That obscures parents' contributions and misleads judgments about school quality.
