The Story from American Public Media

School? Not

Wednesday, February 21 2007 | Send to a friend

SCHOOL? NOT

The U.S. Department of Education estimates that over a million children are homeschooled and research shows that number is on the rise.

Less research has been done on a newer branch of home learning, known as "un-schooling." As many as 20,000 children who do not go to school, and follow no formal curriculum at home, could fall into this group.

Laurie Chancey and her mom, Valerie Fitzenreiter

Valerie Fitzenreiter's daughter Laurie never spent a day of of her childhood in a traditional classroom. When she was pregnant with Laurie, Valerie read a book called "Summerhill," about a progressive school in England where students were given such a vast amount of freedom they weren't even obligated to go to class. It changed her philosophy on parenting forever. 

If Laurie wanted to spend the entire day reading a book or playing computer games, Valerie allowed it.

I remember growing up feeling like I could try school if I wanted to. But I never remember wanting to.
- Laurie Chancey

Dick talks to Valerie and Laurie about life in an un-schooled household.

• Visit Laurie's unschooling website
  
• Find out more about Valeries's book, "The Unprocessed Child"
  
• Learn more about unschooling

Music heard in the program: "Don't Let Your Deal Go Down" by Etta Baker for the album "Railroad Bill"