Every Child in the United States is very fortunate to have access to public, governmentally funded education; therefore, I am extremely grateful for our public schools. However, in recent years, I have found myself considering an option I never imagined I would -- homeschooling.

Some people, myself included, often associate homeschooling with religious zealots and overprotective parents. I think the landscape of homeschooling is beginning to change and will continue to do so. Parents are choosing to take the education of their children into their own hands for many different reasons than in the past.

I began to consider the pros and cons of homeschooling while at an open house at my daughter’s school. The teacher briefly explained the curriculum, which was a one-size-fits-all systematic teaching guide that appeared to be quite limited in scope. The teacher emphasized her teaching philosophy on a piece of poster board placed on the wall. The sign stated that the children were there to receive an education in order to get a job and become productive members of society. I thought to myself, “Is that it?” Has the goal of public education become employability? Learning to think critically and outside of the box and to challenge one’s self for the sake of knowledge and personal growth seem to be more appealing than a well organized lesson plan and future job security. If this economy has taught us anything, it has been that vocational education does not always ensure one’s ability to maintain employment.

Statistics tell us that there is room for improvement within our schools. According to 2007 world rankings for reading, math and science, the US does not place in the top 25 in any of the three categories. Obviously, the blame cannot be put solely on the schools. Teachers are facing enormous challenges and unreasonable expectations in the classroom. Legislation, such as the No Child Left Behind Act, has not proven to be a solution. It is our responsibility as parents to ensure that our children receive the best possible education both at home and at school.

Recent advances in technology and the unlimited educational resources available, makes homeschooling an attractive option for some families. There are many social and sports activities available to homeschooled children. Parents of homeschoolers are able to network and share information using social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace. Most colleges, including Brown, Georgetown, Harvard, MIT, Princeton, the United States Military Academy at West Point, UC at Berkeley, University of Michigan, Notre Dame, and Yale, accept homeschoolers.

While I’ve opted to not homeschool at this time, I’m very impressed by the dedication of parents that have chosen to do so. Homeschooling is definitely not for everyone, but neither are public schools.