We have all heard the commercials about how bundling our home and auto insurance will save us money.
This same bundling happens in education. Many people send their children to the local public school. Choosing one provider for your child’s education comes with benefits, but it also comes with trade-offs.
In insurance, the trade-offs are relatively low risk. Perhaps I have fewer customizable options for my coverage because I am only using one company for my insurance.
Yes, it is really easy to send children to the local public school. The school will send a bus to pick up your child and drop them off at the end of the day. Schools will provide lunch and breakfast (for free to those in poverty). Schools have teachers for math, science, language arts, arts, and a whole host of other subjects. Some schools are beginning to provide healthcare, dental care, and even mental health services.
But what is the cost of bundling your child’s education?
Here is another question: were you ever forced to take a class in high school or even college that you were not interested in? Sometimes students get lucky and discover a talent in this new subject. But too often, the student just goes through the motions to check off a requirement. What a waste of time.
How many students wake up every morning dreading school?
Now imagine parents unbundling their child’s education.
Homeschool families have been doing this for years.
The mom will often take on subjects like math and reading—subjects that benefit from individualized help. The families join a homeschool co-op for history, literature, or debate—subjects that are enhanced by discussion.
Finally, parents enroll their child in dance, sports, piano, ninja courses, or a variety of other creative and physical activities that are suited to their child’s interests.
Yes, this comes with trade-offs. It isn’t as convenient. It takes a certain level of time commitment from parents.
Sometimes, parents find they want some bundling and some individualized choices for their child. These families might look for a microschool that teaches multiple subjects to their child. Some homeschool families send their child to the local public school for two, three or four classes.
Yes, unbundling education does take more effort from the parents. But the payoffs are worth it. The students are happy and love learning. And the result is a child passionate about their own self-improvement.
