No Ordinary Kid

The New York Times on March 6 published a story about Jonathan Krohn, a 14-year-old boy who is also a conservative pundit attracting attention and making headlines: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/08/fashion/08conserve.html. Jonathan was invited to speak recently at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington. You can view his speech at CPAC here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vz1TVpwme0.

How refreshing that someone who so young is able to clearly, articulately, and accurately communicate about true conservative principles (especially about respecting life). And how predictable that those who disagree with conservative principles have blasted Jonathan -- and his parents. The fact that Jonathan is being homeschooled has undoubtedly intensified the critics' wrath. The stereotype that parents who homeschool their children are "sheltering" them from the real world is an erroneous generalization usually made by those who don't really know much about homeschooling. Jonathan is another example of how homeschooled kids are excelling in extraordinary ways. (For another fine example, see Tim Tebow).

So to all the critics, I say go ahead and keep criticizing Jonathan, his parents, and other homeschool parents all you want. Go ahead and continue whining, complaining and worrying about the supposedly dire future of the millions of homeschool children who are being "brainwashed" by their "narrow-minded" and "intolerant" parents. But before you go too far, here is a haunting and humbling fact for you to consider: The public and private school systems spend an average of $6,000 - 12,000 per student while homeschool parents spend only about $1,000 per student per year. Yet on average, homeschool students in grades 1-4 perform one grade level higher than their public and private school counterparts. And by grade 8, the average homeschool student performs four grade levels above the national average.*

To all the other homeschool parents, I say keep your head up and keep up the good work. Don't let the pressures of the elite liberal establishment (along with well-meaning but ill-informed friends and family) get you down. Stories like Jonathan Krohn, Tim Tebow, and countless others are validation that homeschooling works. You are doing a noble, purposeful and sacrificial job and your children will benefit from it tremendously.

And to Jonathan Krohn, I say go get 'em, young man! Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young - specifically a young conservative who happens to be homeschool student.

*Source:
http://www.worldmag.com/articles/15078
http://www.youcanhomeschool.org/starthere/default.asp?bhcp=1
http://www.hslda.org/docs/hshb/43/hshb4307.asp