Can you homeschool college?

Recently, Dale of AskDrCallahan posed this question. He said that more and more they see folks looking for alternatives to college. Often they don’t ask the question in these terms, but that is essentially what they mean. An entire article / book could be written on the issues plaguing college today. As Dale pointed out in his question, while most people are sold on the need for a traditional college degree, they are also concerned about the out of perspective costs (and increases), the return for that investment, and the content – both in terms of the accuracy (lack of added agendas) and difficulty (dumbing down the material to appeal to a larger customer base). I think this raises some interesting questions.

Why go to college at all? Is it really needed?

Why do people go? I think the answer you would get the most often is – to get a better job or to increase their ability to earn a good living. I actually mentioned to some people at work (not a scientific survey for sure) that we were thinking about not sending our kids to college – just to see their reaction. Their first comment was to the effect – bad idea, they need a degree. To which I asked – Why? The response – “you need a degree to get a job. No business would look at you without a degree.

Is this true? Do we really need a degree?

Some points to consider:

• It sure appears that the nature of business is changing. I don’t think these white collar jobs we just lost are coming back.
• When the economy rebounds, I think companies are going to hire more single proprietor consultants / contractors instead of employees. You would be hiring yourself – no degree needed.
• Today it sure seems most business assumes everything on a resume is a lie. They give grueling behavioral interviews to determine if the candidate knows anything about the area they are being hired for.  They even assume your degree, GPA, and achievements have been “enhanced”.
• If the student is primarily looking for job skills, then does that really make college an advanced trade school? Maybe an over simplification, but it is a thought worth considering.
• For most colleges, the marketing strategy is all about improving your income by getting your education there. Is that working? Do most people find work in the field they graduate in? Maybe a doctor, lawyer, computer specialist. What about a history or English major?

If these trends continue, especially more people working for themselves, then a business won’t care about your degree. They will only care about your successful accomplishments in their area of need. Obviously, certain professions require a certification. No one wants a doctor or plumber that has no experience or filter for quality control. Most professional certifications require an internship or apprenticeship plus a test to become certified. It could be argued that this is where the real learning occurs.

College is an education not just a trade – what about that?

I absolutely agree that someone graduating with a Bachelors degree or higher should be educated on top of being trained in a trade. I mean educated in the older concept of an educated person. This would include the ability to think, the ability to present oneself well in writing and speech, and the ability to converse about history and literature. In other words, the true meaning of a liberal arts education before that term was perverted – to be a well rounded person. This is a big component in what folks are asking Dale about. They want a “real” education without the trash.

Are we seeing this product from most curriculums in a modern college? I don’t think so. Do we see engineers able to discuss the Homer’s epic poems or Shakespeare? What about psychology majors conversant in world religions, their theological basis, and the metaphysical ramifications of such thought.  Was Descartes correct in his explanation of our existence? Does Aquinas really sum up virtue with 4 cardinal and 3 theological virtues? Ok, don’t shoot me. Some do, but usually as a result of personal interest. Most of the time, with some exceptions, the official transcript for these degrees don’t include these types of subjects as required stops. Certainly, knowledge of any one of these specific examples or even all of them does not automatically make someone “educated”. Regardless of the student’s position, pro or con, the value is in going through these types of subjects and arguing them.  Here is where logic and rhetoric come in. As an example of how degrees have gotten away from the critical thinking skills, my wife found out that law schools generally have abandoned the Socratic Method which in 1992 when she graduated was considered the ONLY way to ensure good lawyers.

Could this be provided in an alternate arrangement?

I think so. I don’t have a technical evaluation of how nor a business analysis on if it would be profitable (and therefore able to exist), but I do have some thoughts on properties that must be in place to be successful.

• The alternate school would have to break some of the issues of mass education like the homeschooling does.
• It will have to engage the student individually to achieve that person’s goal for their education  – make it mean something to them.
• It should include a lot of individual work – no classroom needed – video, reading, writing, labs, interactive online, etc
• Group work and community interaction can occur over many social media formats.
• A mentor would be appointed or chosen to guide the student through the program and provide continuity.
• The guiding mentor teaches the trade / curriculum over a continuum without concern for grades or time limits. No artificial semester breakdown. The student either finishes the whole course or doesn’t. All who finish will gain mastery. The student has input into “deviations” from the base curriculum.
• Internships provided via “partners” who are local (at least somewhat) to the student.
• Absolutely provide an opportunity for the student to create a portfolio of work to show potential clients examples of what they are capable of.
• After the student has a basis, leaders in subjects can be available for online sessions where questions can be posed and explored. The Socratic style revived.
• Because of the individual nature of the program, a student can explore in depth subjects like philosophy or theology. Access to online sessions adds meaningful discourse.

This is something of a throwback to the old model of college where you studied with a professor decorated in their specialty – to be able to sharpen your wit against their stones.

I believe the best way to learn, period, is inside a personable exchange between a student who wants to learn (and willing to work for the learning) and an engaged mentor. This is the homeschool model. It doesn’t matter whether the student is 6 years old, 15 years old, 20 years old, 40 years old, or older. A student is assigned a primary (picks a primary) mentor as a guide. This person advises and ensures that the student goals are met. They evaluate the student and suggest the next step – no set curriculum. Some steps would be self work for the student, some with a master as apprentice; some where the student gets to participate in forums with leading (true) thinkers. It is just like the parent does for the homeschool child.

Would such a school work? We would have to figure a way to make the money part work where it is inexpensive for the student but profitable for the school. That is the tough part. If that works, then I believe it would produce the best results possible for each student – a real education.

What are your thoughts?