An Introduction: A Professional's Guide to Working With Homeschooling Families
by Juliet Pailes, MAEd
Americans have certain inalienable rights. For many, these rights are held in highest regard; immigrants will risk their lives to reach America. The American Dream that these immigrants are so anxious to attain is alive throughout the world, but especially so in the homes of Americans across the country. Through the education of a family's children, part of the American Dream can become reality.
The legal option to homeschool one's children is a right that many families in the United States take great pride in even though some families have felt the pinch of oppression when exercising their rights to homeschool their children. At times, well-meaning public workers responsible for ensuring that children are cared for and nourished physically, emotionally and academically, misunderstand the homeschooling family's rights. In these cases, the responsibilities of educating about homeschooling can fall squarely on the parents' shoulders. After repeated contact by parents in this situation, the HomeSchool Association of California (HSC) decided that something more should be done to assist these families. This guide, A Professional's Guide for Working With Homeschooling Families, is the result.
Intended as a vehicle for professionals to get information they need when interacting with homeschooling families, this assembly of experts on the subject of homeschooling brings over 15 experienced authors together in one publication to present the most authoritative information available on homeschooling. Therefore, those who don't have prior experience with homeschooling can rest assured that they are getting accurate information. This document is designed so that a reader can enter any section and begin learning. While the chapter design establishes a progression that makes sense to read in order, each section is also effective as a stand-alone article.
Authoritative, easily accessible, well researched, and concise, the information in this edition is a valuable introduction into the world of homeschooling. Those that do not homeschool may misunderstand homeschooling families, and no two homeschooling families are alike. Approaching each unique grouping of parents and children with respect, interest and a keen desire to understand their unique social patterns is an important component of working with homeschooling families. The information in this guide should serve as a starting point. Getting to know each particular homeschooling family personally is one of the best ways to learn about homeschooling. It is HSC's goal that this guide can support that endeavor.
One frequent misconception is that through exercising their freedoms and rights, homeschooling families try to escape the responsibilities of their children's education. This couldn't be farther from the truth. Most homeschooling families take on great responsibility and involvement in their children's education, acting as principal, teacher, counselor, advisor and coach along with their role as a parent. In this guide, families' available educational choices and opportunities for their children can be discovered.
Each author in this guide has approached their subject from a unique perspective, not unlike the unique perspective each homeschooling family has toward educating its children. Like snowflakes, homeschooling families have some elements in common, but no two homeschooling families are exactly alike. Each enriches their children's lives in very special ways.
I hope you enjoy the guide!
Juliet Pailes, MAEd
Editor, A Professional's Guide to Working With Homeschooling Families
Author's Biography: Juliet Pailes holds a BA in Child Development and a MA in Educational Psychology and Counseling. After working for eleven years as a teacher in several early childhood education programs, she spent the next four years directing three different schools for young children. During her four years in the Academic Affairs department of the University of Phoenix, she worked on staff with faculty as a manager, recruiter and faculty liaison. She has also worked as an instructor there since 2001. Juliet also serves as an instructor and curriculum developer for Central Texas College Online as well as teaching at College of the Desert in Palm Desert, California. She and her business partner, a registered dietician, run Wellness Support for Life, a multifaceted consulting service for individuals, families, and educators. She lives with her husband and their three homeschooled children in Beaumont, California, about 20 minutes west of Palm Springs