Episode 92: Idol of School
It seems that when it comes to kids, so much conversation centers around their schooling, including achievements, success, challenges, and interventions. We all seem so concerned about measuring our kids, that I have to ask: IS OUR FOCUS ON SCHOOL HEALTHY? In our Coop Q & A, we answer the question: How do I know if I covered a topic thoroughly?
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Scoop on the Coop
Mandi is really enjoying her new Dailies book - The Ology. She shares why she loves it, and you can buy it here.
Jessica started school with an “unofficial” day back. The kids knew I was getting ready, but I always try so hard to emphasize that we are always learning, that I wanted to just smoothly get back into our routine of gathering and learning together - differently than the way they learn during the summer when it’s more unschooling and unstructured.
The Idol of School
I intentionally used the word school for our discussion rather than education. I’m using education more synonymously with learning. By school, I mean the government schooling model of the public school with state standards, standardized tests, academic merit awards/scholarships, labels of advanced and behind, grading system primarily based on testing. While I certainly think education can become an idol, I want to stick to how we all battle the school idol in our lives.
An idol is something we begin to worship, often at the detriment of everything else. As a Christian, whenever we allow one of God’s gifts to trump our allegiance to God himself, an idol is born. - idols have come up often in the Bible and in life when evaluating my relationship with God. Christians and Non-Christians alike are no strangers to the reality of how easy it is to allow something to run our lives.
How often do we look at our children’s education in terms of “schooling” - where they are in academic achievement, how they measure up to their peers? How often do we take pride in their accomplishments or feel guilt/shame in their shortcomings?
If we take away “schooling” as the measuring stick and consider each child’s individual educational growth - do we still feel the same way?
Coming from public schools and having earned college degrees, it can be very difficult to view education separately from schooling.
Mark Twain “I have never let schooling interfere with my education”
How to Determine if School is an Idol
Are you willing to compromise your beliefs or values for the academic achievement of your child?
Do you get angry if your child doesn’t meet your expectations or falls behind state standards?
Do you value your child’s schooling over people?
Does schooling your child pull you closer to God (or the things you value - family, relationships, character, etc), or farther away?
What Happens When We Let School Become an Idol?
Dissatisfaction
Sacrifice
Worry - If we’re worrying about our children’s schooling, grades, test scores and how they compare to their peers - we’ve made it an idol
Identity - do my children’s grades determine my worth and value?
What Can We Do?
Evaluate your educational goals and philosophies: What is the purpose of education? How does schooling and academics help my child achieve an education? Are there other ways?
Episode 68: Deschooling
Reassess your values and where schooling fits into them
Episode 36: Balance of Exposure
Episode 40: Education Gaps
Find your identity - Episode 50: Identity
Create a homeschooling Mission Statement - Step 1 of Homeschool Starter Pack V1; Blog Post - Mission Possible
Check in often asking yourself the 4 questions from earlier or whether you are living your mission statement
Coop Q & A
Question: How do I know if I’m covering a topic thoroughly?
Answer: You don’t! Just kidding, our advice is to dive as deep as you want or as your child’s interest leads you. While you can find resources or curriculum to help you cover a topic, the reality is that there is so much information out there, you have to be okay covering as much as is reasonable for your homeschool.
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