Homeschooling - A Great Liberal Arts Education

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This morning, as I headed to town, I listened to snippets of public radio extolling Portland State University for re-engineering their liberal studies program.  

PSU is a recognized leader among public universities that are trying to transform the way they teach the liberal arts to make undergraduate education more relevant and engaging to both students and the community. A growing number of colleges and universities across the country - both public and private - have adopted civic learning programs and other approaches to liberal arts instruction that connect "ideas with action."

"Interesting," I thought.  The host went on to explain that Freshmen and Seniors participate in a program that takes learning to the community.  Teaching city-kids about agriculture on learning-farms was one such example.  The PSU students could broaden their worldview by working to meet the needs of someone other than themselves.  In addition, they would work with students across other disciplines in carrying out their work.  

The other broad change was a new emphasis on students learning from each other. Lecture courses by a pontificating professor were discouraged. Students started leading discussions more.

The motto of Portland State is: Let Knowledge Serve the City.

The more I listened, the more I agreed with the host.  You see, the knowledge our boys' gain each day is often put to work in the community of our home.  In fact, I see the mission of homeschooling as educating the whole-person every day--mind, body and soul.  The boys' focus on their studies of catechism, grammar and math, and we often put the knowledge learned into practice throughout the day.  We talk about treating each other justly and attend confession as a family.  They bake with me and measure and count and we give what we have to others.  I serve them by daily housework and they serve the family as well with the chores they're given.


It's amazing how this type of experience is praised when it is gained at the college level but brushed aside as non-essential during the K-12 years. When discussing the benefits of the program, one Instructor noted, 

"[The senior-level program is] ...a final opportunity to be in a classroom with students from other majors, to learn how to work in an interdisciplinary team," says Capstone instructor Celine Fitzmaurice. "If you leave PSU and you're working in a job with a writer and an engineer and a marketing manager, you will have the skills to work and communicate and create something as a team. Whether it's in service to your company or to larger society."

A major benefit that I mentioned in the homeschooling interview I gave earlier this Fall, is that home schooled children often have the opportunity to work with a variety of children--those of similar and differing ages and social backgrounds--everyday!  Many families enjoy homeschool groups and/or opportunities afforded parents that are not restricted by a set school day structure.  These are interdisciplinary teams in their infancy.  =)

AACU President Carol Geary Schneider writes that the goal is to recast liberal education "no longer as an option for the fortunate few, but rather as the most practical and powerful preparation for 'success' in all its real-world meanings: economic, societal, civic and personal."

That spells great news for those of us that homeschool as well as those whose children are in public school with an active community life (in their family and beyond!).  


The good news for these college students is that they are becoming well-rounded persons.  The bad news for these students is they're paying in the 10's of thousands to gain that experience.  While I think the lessons learned are priceless, I'm not sure they'll agree when student loans come due.

Back in the 1960 and 70s, when liberal arts programs were at a historic peak of enrollment, many students had abstract reasons for going to college, says University Studies professor Leslie Batchelder. "People still had this notion of opening your mind and improving yourself and being a well rounded citizen," Batchelder says. "[College] was a lot cheaper then. [Today's] students, rightly so, don't exactly have these lofty ideals. It's more like, how can I get through this paying the least amount of money?"

I would certainly agree that college is time for the rubber to meet the road.  As a student, I would be looking for "required" classes to contain only those essential for me to gain my degree and graduate.  


Where else can a student gain these collaborative skills to help them become successful (economically, societally, civically and personally--and dare I say morally)?  To be honest, they don't need to look any further than their own family, church or volunteer organization.