In an earlier blog, I pondered the growing trend of homeschooling.  This entry was not intended to have a negative tone, although some readers interpreted it that way.  As a former public school teacher you may think that I would feel threatened by this growing trend.  However, quite the opposite is true.  I find it very interesting, and honestly encouraging, to see so many Americans putting forth effort and making sacrifices for family.  My question is one of legitimate concern, not one founded on insecurities.  Can parents truly offer a well-rounded educational experience to their children?  I recently met a family with nine children that range in age from 16 to 2 years old, with one more on the way.  In talking with one of the young girls, whose vocabulary far exceeded mine, I was impressed with her family's decision to homeschool.  When I questioned the young girl about her schooling, she indicated that her mother was responsible for the majority with the father acting only as a tutor for the maths and sciences.  She explained that her mother spent a significant amount of time teaching each child to read and then "set them free" to learn on their own.  As the conversation progressed the girl mentioned her disappointment in never having the opportunity to learn music and specifically to play the trumpet.  She explained that they had a "perfectly good trumpet at home but no one to teach them how to play it".  From this encounter and others like it, I wonder if homeschool students are missing out on some pretty cool stuff.  The same could be said for public school kids who are bound to maintain demanding schedules and passing scores on useless standardized tests and don't have the opportunity to fully pursue topics that interest them.  I suppose the responsibility remains on the parents of both groups, public school and homeschool, to encourage and facilitate a love of learning that will result in a well-rounded student.  �