Some parents choose homeschooling because they do not feel that public or private education will give their children the challenge that they are seeking.  Here is another take on schooling outside of a social system:  kids who want to become star athletes or artists.  A Los Angeles Times article profiles families who have made this choice and offers some dissenting opinions.  It is a tough issue because for these kids to really succeed at a sport or other venture, they really cannot participate in group activities, but are they getting the quality of education they need for the long term?  The parents and students assert that they are being educated at the very highest level while pursuing their first love, but others question the message being sent.  Are these kids being told indirectly that education is secondary?  And what happens to them when they get older if they have to get a job where they are part of a group?  Do they know how to function?  Interesting questions for parents and children alike.  For the rest of us, it may make us think a bit about our own children’s education choices and options.

This article is interesting to read regardless of the educational environment your children participate in.  It questions the goals of education----are we merely trying to teach academics, or are there social lessons along the way too?  What about the message we send children regarding their education so they don’t get a scholarship only to dropout to join the pros before earning their degree?

As parents, we want the best for our children, and defining our goals can be tricky sometimes.  Understanding non-traditional options certainly puts a different perspective on things.