November8, 2011. Jackson, MS. Home School.

Going back in time,  most children were taught by a governess at home.   My grandmother Houghton worked as a teacher, hired in a home,  teaching the children who lived in that home. The 20th Century put away most home schooling, although William Buckley and his siblings were all educated at home until such time as he went to Yale for University.  And C.S Lewis was always taught by a tutor at home as was Theodore Roosevelt.  By and large, it was not until the mid 20th Century that people began to be unhappy with the public schools.  Then,  some parents fought hard to teach their children at home.

The battle was not easy but the battle was won and now in the US exists a large organization for home schooled children.   Every legal battle was won by the home schoolers.  It makes perfect sense because the best teaching is always one on one.  If I teach you something I will know immediately when to move on to the next topic, so if the parent is inclined and well educated, the home schooled experience is very efficient.    Now of course, the home schooled children win many prizes.

It is obvious to me.   The  Mississippi children have lots of time to read.  Without car pools and waiting for the slow learners, the girls can speed ahead in their work so have time for knitting classes and piano lessons and reading.   The home schooled children seem to be thriving academically and socially.  It is a new world of schooling.