EDITORIAL: A plantation field trip for the home schooled

Once upon a time, home schooling was more than a fad — it was the norm.

Children in the earlier centuries of American living were taught in their homes by family members, tutors and others. While it’s hard to gauge, comparing the education level of some of our ancestors to
that of our modern children sometimes leaves one uneasy. Are our children getting short shrift?

As with all things, the answer is probably somewhere in the middle.

Sure, some children will do better by being home schooled. Of course, that necessitates family members with the time, energy and expertise to make sure it’s done right. No doubt, in the early history of
America, many children received little to no formal schooling for lack of educated family.

Other modern students will do better in a structured school environment. Home schooling is certainly no cure all for education woes.

Of course,  practically speaking, home schooling makes sense. How much do we wring our hands over the student to teacher ratio in our schools? Thirty to 1? Too much, we say. It must be lower. Well,
with home schooling, that ratio is much lower — perhaps closer to 1 to 1.

Regardless of where you stand on the subject of home schooling, the fact remains that this educational choice is becoming increasingly popular these days, and that’s why it is heartening to learn that
some facilities are opening their doors to these children.

For instance, tomorrow, a special Manassas Museum program will be held at Liberia Plantation specifically for home schooled children. At the plantation, the children will be able to learn about The Civil
War, fashion, politics and gardening, among other things.

If you are the parent of a home schooled child, take advantage of this opportunity to give your child a field trip he or she will not soon forget.

The cost for the program is $6 per student and $3 per adult. For more information call 703-368-1873.