I want you to read an essay. It was written for my freshman course in English for the Ron Paul Curriculum. The course assigns autobiographies, mostly written by Americans.
The students begin writing weekly essays in grade 4. But the RPC added grades 1-5 only last year. So, this student has had at most three years of practice.
A good student can begin to develop the required skills in three years. This student will have three more years of practice: one essay a week for each social studies or humanities course. Here is what the student can do now:
Today’s high school graduates rarely writes papers. They arrive at college unprepared. Colleges also minimize term papers. But humanities and social science courses do require essay exams. Most students are unskilled at this.
For most students, these are the main skills that they should learn in high school: self-learning, self-pacing, self-discipline, critical thinking, and writing. A minority also must learn math skills. A curriculum should impart these skills.
I think homeschooling gives students these advantages. The less the parents are asked to do, the better the students will do in college, where parental intervention is nonexistent.
Two facts. First, you can change horses in midstream. Second, it is not wise to stick with second best for a whole school year.
To find out about the writing program, click the link.
