Home Schooling

As concern about overcrowded schools in Florida grows, it may not surprise you to learn approximately 26-thousand children were home-schooled in Florida, last year. that number is expected to increase this year.

In Assignment: Education.. Bill Ratliff takes us inside one bay area home.. where home-schooling is a way of life.

--[Mother Barbara Daines says:] "So as time went on he wasn't just a teacher, but a really respected musical figure."--

It's group study time at the Daines household in North Tampa. On this day.. A lesson about the classical composer Vivaldi.

--[Daines says:] "I mean some people liked him and appreciated that. There were others that were made unhappy."--

You could call this Daines Elementary and Middle school.

--[Daines says:] "Okay put that down."--

The house is the classroom. Mom, Barbara Daines is the teacher. Her four oldest children.. ages six-and-ahalf to 12.. are her students.

--[Daines says:] "That's fine. I think that looks good."--

Frustration with problems within the public school system led she and her husband to decide on home schooling for their kids. A college graudate with a degree in business.. she feels qualified to teach her children.

--[Daines says:] "My main goal.. I want to give them a love of learning. And if I can teach them to love to learn, they'll learn for the rest of their lives."--

Daines also believes her children develop better socialization skills at home, than they would in a traditional classroom.

--[Daines says:] "They probably, in fact, have more socialization, because they are around adults in situations. They're around children, siblings.. People of all ages."--

Daines says it takes family teamwork to make home schooling work.. not to mention some personal sacrifice on her part. But she says it's worth it.

--[Daines says:] "The best part.. I think just having the children together. Seeing them learn. Being right there with them when they learn to read, and when they catch on to a concept.. seeing them teach each other."--

What does it take for your child to be home-schooled? Not much. All parents or guardians have to do is register with their local school district.. maintian a portfolio of records and education materials used. And.. A home-schooled child must undergo an education evaluation once a year.

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