Guest Blogger Andrea Schwartz: Schooling Vs. Education

In the computer age, with a myriad of choices for higher education, it is counterproductive to subject homeschool graduates to the “industrial model” of bureaucratic schooling, which churns out assembly-line products. Those who learned in a homeschooling setting were not spoon-fed and subjected to a one-size fits all approach to learning. To begin this approach when they reach the age of eighteen is a monstrous step backward.

It is time to change the paradigm. We can do better. We must do better. Online and distance learning opportunities are a significant step toward that change. They allow the student to remain integrated in his family, church, and community. They avoid the artificial environment of the college and university setting (with the resulting “peer pressure”) as well as the inflated cost of acquiring a degree on campus. What’s more, the opportunity to earn while you learn and the growing trend of hands-on mentoring in internship and apprenticeship situations gives these students a sizeable advantage when it comes to establishing themselves as productive members of society. These innovations have given a significant boost to our efforts to reclaim America for King Jesus.

Additionally, with the extensive amount of “free” federal financial aid, that is practically forced down students’ throats, public universities are de facto academic welfare centers servicing students with other people’s money. Ironically, many who take advantage of this “free money,” will leave their schooling years with sizeable debt since this aid often consists of deferred loans, with few, if any, innovative skills. In our society where personal and national debt has reached a breaking point, feeding this beast is not only harmful, but suicidal. The Scriptures are clear, “The borrower is a slave to the lender” (Prov. 22:7). These embedded institutions are designed to cement a slave mentality that will seek the approval of peers and make personal fulfillment and pleasure among the highest goals.

Contrast this with the homeschooling movement which has recaptured a spirit of entrepreneurship and brought innovation to the American scene. To funnel these bright, homeschooled graduates into the modern higher educational system makes little sense. The architects of this system are the very people homeschool parents wanted to shield their children from. With the opportunities available today, students can continue their education without the burden of forced indoctrination at the hands of an entrenched bureaucracy that sucks the spirit of personal responsibility and liberty out of its victims.

Those who pioneered the homeschooling movement in the middle of the 20th century sowed the seeds of a biblical world and life view. Today we reap the benefit of their efforts and education is back in the hands of the family, which is the biblical design. The next major step is to move “higher education” into the arena of the congregation of the faithful, where individual families work alongside each other, sharing their knowledge and expertise to create an organic network that will handily replace the existing educational model. As the expression goes, the future is now!

Andrea Schwartz is a veteran home educator, lecturer, author, and blogger. Through her mentorship program she helps undergird homeschooling mothers with the necessary tools to complete the good work they have begun. She hosts two podcasts, Notable People and His Heartbeat for Women which highlight individuals making contributions to further the Kingdom of Christ. You can find out more about her at her website, www.WordsFromAndrea.com.

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5 comments so far - Leave a comment below

I completely agree. Your comment about "earn while you learn" is right on. But this cannot even be conceptualized by the average student attending the industrial model school. I know firsthand that the spirit of entrepreneurship is void on the average college campus.

I think this is by design because colleges are teaching our students that we need to depend on the state and that the state has the answers. Students enter college thinking they are in an incubator of ideas and free thinking. This is not the case at all. If you're a Christian student with a Christian worldview you have no freedom to express your thoughts and you have no encouragement to be entrepreneurial minded.

CollegePlus! is doing a great work to change this. Thank you Andrea and CollegePlus!

— Matthew Monday, November 29, 2010 10:44 AM CST

I find it interesting that more colleges are seeking out home schooled students to enroll. I'm not of the opinion that these colleges are performing an act of kindness by embracing home schooled students.

I think they see this as an opportunity to undo the years of training and biblical instruction the students have been given by their parents and church. George Barna has provided much evidence to prove that students walk away from God and church at college.

This is why CollegePlus! is so important for our precious children and home school students.

Thank you for the great blog post!

— Harry Monday, November 29, 2010 10:58 AM CST

Just winding up a PhD in communication studies. Goal: to make it easier for those who follow me to achieve the same goals at a much lower cost.

— RJR Fan Monday, November 29, 2010 2:46 PM CST

Thank you Andrea and CollegePlus! for touching on the importance of home education. As a home school parent sometimes I struggle knowing whether I'm doing a good job or not but then I consider the alternative of the government school system and don't feel too bad :)

I love the idea of home school families working together to help carry forward the home school movement that was birthed decades ago. Amen!

— Emily Willis Tuesday, November 30, 2010 9:24 AM CST

Well-said! I agree completely with this idea! Its time to start thinking about what works best for the students and not what is the "standard".
I would also like to point out that a lot of universities are offering hybrid courses which allow students 50% online time and 50% classroom time. Flexible, practical learning.
In fact (toot my own horn time!) I have just had the honor to blog on the Stanford U blog, College Puzzle, on this topic: Hybrid College Courses Help Fill the Gap (http://collegepuzzle.stanford.edu/).

Yes, its time to change the system!
Anyway, I hope

— Nicole Thursday, July 7, 2011 5:30 AM CDT

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