Validity

The five consecutive words I hear more often than any others regarding homeschooling (or, more accurately, unschooling) are, "I want to make sure..." My response is always either, "you can't," or more directly, "don't," when I am feeling particularly spunky.

Yes, I understand that the basis of this statement is steeped in the murky and culturized depths of what society and the government school system have established as valid. However, this particular conversation makes me incredibly crazy and frustrated.

For starters, the pre-determined guidelines and standards do not take individuality, not to mention particular interests or aspirations into consideration. And, more importantly, at the end of the day, no one, except YOU, has the authority to determine the validity of what YOU choose to learn and explore.  

Autonomy is critical for problem-solving, scientific inquiry, the ability to make decisions and reason, open-mindedness, the skill to perceive injustice, and the capacity to play, explore, and wonder.  

The ill-conceived concepts of obedience, conformity, and compliance (for the good of all), have undermined and virtually erased the legitimacy of individual self-determination.

With this knowledge, I have no reason to wonder why: many young people feel lost and have no idea what they are even interested in pursuing, there is a disregard for the scientific method, and a rush to accept conspiracy theories, as well as why there is this unfathomable and disconcerting inability to understand the significance of history on our current reality.

DRC News

The DRC-East families are working on raising money to help purchase a furnace (boiler) for the house that hosts us in Lawrenceville.  If a central heat source is not installed before it gets cold, DRC-East will need to find another facility and move.  

Because DRC does not own the building, the families are organizing these on their own.  The first fundraiser is a 50/50 raffle.     Thank you for your support.

SLU Make a Difference Day
Thank you to the SLU Crew who came on Saturday to install a pallet fence, and rake our yard.