I have had this fascinating youtube video someone sent me rumbling around in my mind all week. It claims to demonstrate the effects of subliminal advertising, which seems to have mixed reviews in terms of research support (although it has been banned in the US since the mid 70s). If you have six minutes to view it, I think you will find it fascinating as well. (Bear with me, this is leading somewhere.)

The idea behind subliminal advertising and this video is that we are exposed to stimuli that effect our behavior without our conscience mind even being aware that we are affected. If this principle is true, and I suspect it is, then think of the implications! Whether we choose to be or not, we are exposed to all sorts of things, not of our choosing:   immodest dress, rampant materialism, and subtle and not-so-subtle pornography everywhere we go – from the magazine covers within view while standing in line at the grocery check out to television commercials we are bombarded with while sitting in our living rooms. 

As believers and homeschooling parents, we know we have much higher standards than the world has. We know that we have to be careful of what we read, what we watch on television, what we view on the Internet.  But as I have considered this I’ve realized that we still are affected by choices others have made–and we had better recognize that we are! If we are not actively combatting these influences, they will take their toll on us and on our families.

My pastor (Rev. Conrad ‘Buster’ Brown) made three application statements recently that seemed tailor made for this conversation I have had in my head. (I love when God does that!) First he said that we needed to actively "plead for the empowerment and leadership of the Holy Spirit." We know our quest for holiness should not be static, it should be dynamic.  We are to "work out our salvation with fear and trembling." Phil. 2:12.  Going beyond ‘not’ doing something, we are to earnestly seek godliness and holiness through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Secondly, Pastor Brown urged us to "understand [our] culture," giving us two quotes that hit home:

"Keep in mind while few Americans possess a biblical worldview, most are immersed in daily exercises of covert, worldview training via the mass media, public law, public school education, the internet and conversations with peers. Only an intentional process designed to develop, integrate, and apply a biblical life lense can protect us from the savage mental and spiritual assault that occurs around us every day. The failure to grasp and live out a biblical worldview can only result in a lifestyle that contradicts God’s perfect and eternal moral and spiritual code that was desgined to foster our relationship with him, each other, and the world he entrusted to us."            

George Barna, Think Like Jesus

"I believe that the challenge of living with popular culture well may be as serious for modern Christians as persecution and plagues were for the saints of earlier centuries…enemies that come loudly and visibly are much easier to fight than those that are undetetectable."                                                                                                                                                               

Ken Myers, All God’s Children in Blue Suede Shoes

Those we and our children spend the most time with and consider our closest friends should be those with whom we have shared values. At home, dinner table conversations should include discussion of the ideas and events we come in contact with and observe in our daily lives and how those things align (or not) with what the Bible describes about how Christians are to live.  Moreover, dialogue often about what it means to be ‘in the world’ but not ‘of the world.’

Thirdly, we are to meditate upon scripture.  We should encourage –in ourselves and our children–regular scripture memorization.  How can we incorporate this into our lives and homeschooling?  One of the easiest ways we have found is to institute a scripture verse or passage to discuss, meditate upon, recite and memorize each week.  Especially when children are younger, fill their minds and hearts with scripture and you will see it bear fruit when they are older! 

Some significant verses to consider:

• For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food.  Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.    Job 34: 3-4

• A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps. A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.   Prov. 14: 15-16

• Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.    Phil. 4:8                                                                        

• Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.   Jer. 1:5

• My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.    James 1:19-21

• God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.      Heb. 6: 10-12

•  The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,  but the folly of fools is deception.   Prov. 14: 8

   

  So let us remember to be aware of our surroundings and our culture, and to turn to the Holy Spirit and to the Word for help living the lives we are called to live as well as in training our children. From Phil 1: 9-11:  And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

   

  Amen! 

   Dana

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

Anna Hawthorne posted a great idea on her blog today– 10 reasons why she loves to homeschool. These are my 10:

• They can run, but they can’t hide. Ha Ha
• I love to be able to mentor and coach my kids.
• Having them at home has allowed us all to be so much closer than we would have been  otherwise! I love our relationships, especially at the high-school-and-above ages.
• It has given us so many treasured memories over the years.
• They have had educations that suited their specific needs and learning styles.
• I have always been a life-long learner and have loved passing that perspective on to them.
• As Christian parents we are fullfiling our command to raise godly generations.
• Homeschooling has peeled away layers and layers of self-centered grunge from my soul. (Still have layers to go, it’s good I have a little longer….)
• It has enabled me to be in a coaching role for newer/younger h’school moms, which has been a blessing.
• Homeschooling keeps my priorities aligned as I strive to be a godly example to our kids.

How about your 10?

This is the time of year when homeschooling parents traditionally begin contemplating next year. (Sometimes with that daunting 2nd semester ahead, it is more appealing to consider next year than to finish this year. ) Parents of 8th graders may be terrified as they consider what they are going to do next year for high school.  They might wonder whether they measure up academically; if they’re capable of leading their children through high school and preparing them for college. Even as their high schoolers pursue college dreams, parents often speculate whether their kids will be able to adjust to the rigors and social climate of college after being at home for high school.  Understanding the latest research on this topic could be reassuring for both parents and students!

Although there have not been a multitude of studies in this area, there have been a few with some interesting results.  Among them is “Transitional Experiences of First-year College Students Who Were Homeschooled,” by Mary Beth Bolle, Roger D. Wessel, and Thalia M. Mulvihill, published by the Journal of College Student Development (Vol. 48, No. 6, Nov.-Dec. 2007*). This study examines the adjustment of first year college students who entered college directly after finishing high school at home. Beginning by citing previous related findings:

• According to the National Center for Educational Statistics (1999), the number of homeschooled students has nearly tripled just since 1991
• Homeschooled students outranked public school students on standardized tests by 15-30 points and “perform well in college and leadership activities and tend to be independent and critical thinkers who are gainfully employed.” (Ray, 2003)
• Other benefits of homeschooling include “better relationships with siblings and parents, more opportunities for interaction with people of different ages that lead to developing friendships with various ages and genders, and a better relationship with adults.” (Cox, 2003)
• A favorable quote from Brown University’s Dean, Joyce Reed, who stated:  “These kids are the epitome of Brown students.  They’ve learned to be self-directed, take risks, face challenges with total fervor, and they don’t back off.”  (Sutton, 2002)

In spite of the above accolades, the study also cites some common concerns about homeschoolers entering college, such as the familiar “What about socialization?”  And an added apprehension: “Do homeschoolers have a broad enough view of the real world [to successfully deal with] the exposure of different people and views?” These are very pertinent questions you may have asked yourself as you have considered whether or not to homeschool high school.

The Bolle, Wessel and Mulvihill study discussed the various transitional stages of a group of homeschooled students as they:

• left home
• adjusted to living with greater independence
• met others with differing values, backgrounds and worldviews
• compensated for more traditional teaching styles and academics
• had to comprehend new behavioral norms
• formed new relationships
• eventually acquired a sense of ownership and belongingness to their new college community.

Interestingly, these are a few of their findings:

1.  Although all of the students in this study experienced loneliness upon arrival at college, all of them were able to “step outside their comfort zones and meet new friends.”  In this particular sample of students in a diverse student body, homeschooled students were able to meet other like-minded students as well as come in contact with others who were very different.

2.  Although they all eventually made like-minded friends, it took some longer than others.  Those who maintained “close ties with their community and home and [called] home frequently” made friends quickly. (Bolle, Wessel and Mulvihill, 2007)

3.  All of the students had to adjust to different teaching styles and academic expectations.  Some students found college classes easier and some found them more difficult. Those who initially had difficulty were able to develop the tools and methods they needed and became accustomed to their professor’s expectations and, ultimately, to modify their academic activities to meet the requirements.

4. Resources on campus such as student orientation, RAs, campus programming and student organizations were very helpful in successfully transitioning homeschooled students into college life.

5. Bottom line: there was little difference between what homeschooled and publicly/privately schooled students experienced in terms of their transition to college.

Additional favorable reports came from another fascinating study on this topic, “An Exploratory Study of the Transition and Adjustment of Former Home schooled Students to College Life” (Lattibeaudiere, 2000).  This study examined how well homeschooled students transitioned into college life by the time they were sophomores and juniors.  This body of research found that homeschooled students “had a positive and successful experience transitioning from high school to college.  In fact, the longer that students were homeschooled, the better they adapted to college life.” The study speculated as to why homeschooling longevity was helpful.  Factors that were considered as benefits to college adaptation included “students having  individually tailored instruction, the ability to learn at their own pace, options to study subjects of interest, opportunity to be taught in a loving educational environment, and availability of hands-on opportunities that developed curiosity and love of learning.”  (Quoted in Bolle, Wessel and Mulvihill, 2007.)  Personal note: we have always known those are benefits of homeschooling, but it is gratifying and reassuring to have them substantiated by scientific study!

Incidentally, other findings of the Lattibeaudiere study included:

• Rather than living off campus, students who lived on campus were better adjusted.
• Educators felt that homeschooled students took a little longer than traditionally educated students to adjust socially to college. (That is not necessarily a bad thing…)
• Homeschoolers “exhibited great skill in relating to individuals of all ages” (quoted by Bolle, Wessel and Mulvihill, 2007).

Moreover, a dissertation by Holder (2001) stated that homeschoolers were academically and socially adept in college.  Additionally, homeschooling students reported that they felt “homeschooling helped them develop the ability to learn on their own, [have] good study habits, [learn] self-motivation and how to be responsible, [have] flexibility in learning at their own pace and [be] self-disciplined.” Although it was found that there were some difficult areas, specifically: “the extensive writing and research required, meeting assignment deadlines…and getting accustomed to class schedules,” homeschooled students assimilated well. It was thought that such students’ participation in volunteer work, activities outside of the academic arena and part-time jobs aided their transition to college.

Although these studies are few in number, their conclusions have paralleled what Beth and I have experienced in our own families.  I hope this research will put you at ease as you consider homeschooling high school or if you are currently doing so.   Continue to mentor and train your children as you have always done, teaching them right from wrong, shepherding their hearts, and preparing them for God-honoring, productive, full lives.  Whether you prayerfully decide to keep them home for high school or not, please don’t make the decision out of fear that they won’t be able to adjust.

Past posts that might be helpful on related subjects are The Big Decision and Do Not Fear.

*Click here to read the Bolle, Wessel and Mulvihill study in its entirety and see complete references for all studies mentioned in this post.

With hope in Him,

Dana Wilson

Epi Kardia Home Education

www.epikardia.com

www.epikardia.com/blog

dana@epikardia.com