The subject that I want to tackle next is how science is taught in home-schooling. Particularly, the aspect of Christianity in the science textbooks of home-schoolers, and if their science education is enough to get them through college. I've interviewed many people on this subject for this post, some previous home-schoolers, some from other back grounds, such as private college preparatory schools and state public schools.
On the first topic, why are there so many home-school science textbooks that promote Christianity and the creationist viewpoint?! Why is religion associated with science? I've come to the conclusion that the reason behind this is that the majority of home-schoolers are Christian, particularly conservative Christians (www.indiana.edu). Out of all the home-schoolers, Indiana reports that 83% of home-schoolers are providing moral or religious classes (www.indiana.edu). So it would make sense that if the majority of home-schoolers are religious and are home-schooling for religious reasons, then the textbook publishers would cater to the majority wants.
Question is, should religion be in science? Are children only being taught that Creationism and Intelligent Design are the only explanation for the world’s existence? From what I have seen, yes, there are some families who only teach Intelligent Design or Creationism and completely dismiss the Theory of Evolution as something created by atheists to explain our existence. One of these curriculum companies is Apologia (apologia.com). I have used many of their textbooks for biology, chemistry, and anatomy and physiology. In the Exploring Creation with Biology, the author of the book, has an entire chapter devoted to explaining why evolution is not true and all the “holes” in the theory (Wiles, 2013). However, for those of you who want your children to have a well rounded education, there is hope. Christianity Today reports that there is a growing number of Christian home-schoolers who are requesting materials that teach evolution. Some of the reasons listed are that the parents want their children to know what to expect when they go to college, because the people there most likely will support the Theory of Evolution. Another reason listed was that they wanted their children to know both sides of the argument so that they could better debate it with nonbelievers (Christianitytoday.com). Even though their reasons may not be perfect, I commend the parents for teaching evolution to their children and not choosing to shelter them.
The second point I want to touch on, is the question of how well home-schoolers are being prepared for college level science. I had mixed reviews from my interviews. On one hand, I had a previous home-schooler, Jamar, tell me what he thought is that the skills to succeed in science is being able to read, write, and have strong critical thinking skills. In other words, if you are smart, then you should do just fine. The reason behind his answer wasn't so much about his own home-school experience, but from the perspective of an international student he was studying with. Jamar said that when his friend came to the states, he did not have a strong background in science. However, because his friend could learn, read, and write, he did well in his science classes. Then also comes the question of what “smart” actually means. There is such a thing as being “smart” in English but having issues in science.
However, what if science doesn't come naturally to you? Then maybe a strong background in science would better prepare you for college. When I interviewed Peter, a sophomore in college studying biology with a minor in chemistry, he confirmed that he was glad he had an extensive foundation in science from high school. Peter had attended a college preparatory private school through all of high school. Unlike some public schools, his science teachers had masters or even doctorates in the science field. Peter stated that because of his strong foundation in biology from high school, the freshman biology class he took in college was mostly a review for him. Peter’s grades in biology and chemistry show that he has the mastered the skills taught in at least the freshman level classes. Not all of the outcomes may be attributed to his previous experience with science, but you have to agree, that knowing the material before taking the college level classes has to give you an advantage over your peers who had a weak science education.
If you are home-schooling your children, how should science be taught is the next question. Coming from a previous home-schooler who is now in college and has taken college level biology, chemistry, and anatomy & physiology, I would like to say that I have some valuable insight into the subject. If you insist on home-schooling your children, even after all I have said in previous posts, as least follow these guidelines. First thing, try to give your children a science education that is similar to what is done in the public schools. This means that going on a nature walk may be cool and enlightening, but they also need to learn the real science. This includes teaching them the Theory of Evolution, even if you do not agree. If they are to go to college, the second semester of biology is strongly based on the Theory of Evolution (Reece, et all, 2014). You should also preform experiments and dissections as your children would have if they were in traditional schools. Just because dissection frogs are expensive to buy does not mean that you shouldn't. Home-schooling is not cheap no matter what anyone says. If you were concerned about money, you should have put them in public school.
Second, invest in a real science teacher, unless you happen to have a degree in biology or chemistry. Science is not something that can be easily self taught. You may be able to learn basic idea, but being self-taught often fails for many reasons and so will your child’s education (Young, 2013). I took my high school sciences in a small classroom type structure taught by a woman who had a background in science education and who had once taught science at a public school. I would say that she is the key reason for my success in the science classes I have taken at college. Ms. Stuart taught her classes very similarly to how my labs are taught in my college. We met once a week, went over the textbook material we were assigned to read before class, took a quiz, and performed an experiment. Occasionally, we would have to write a formal lab report about the experiment we conducted, much like the many lab reports I had to write in college. This format of learning, was so similar to the college lab experience, that the transition to college level science was very smooth and flawless.
Third, do research to find the best science textbooks available. Don’t pick a book based on the fact that you also use the publisher for English or math. Just because it is a good English textbook does not mean that it would be an equally good science textbook. Even though I say many negative things about Apologia science, based on the fact that it is Christian based, the textbook format is the most similar to a college textbook that I have seen. If you can ignore the chapter in Exploring Creation with Biology that dismisses the Theory of Evolution, the curriculum can go a long way in preparing you for college level science. If you know of any other strong science curriculums and can back up your reasons for picking them, please tell us about them in the comments below.
* Names have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals interviewed.
Sources:
Reece, J., et all. 2014. Campbell Biology. 10th edition. U.S.A.; Pearson Education Inc.
Wile, J. 2013. Exploring Creation with Biology. Apologia Educational Ministries.
Young, S. 2013. Why Self Education Learners Often Come Up Short http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2010/02/24/self-education-failings/
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