Editor's note: You can scroll to the end of the article to see Education Nation's final decision.I had the pleasure to join journalists from around the country to speak with NBC News President Steve Capus and SVP of Education and Chief Digital Officer Vivian Schiller to find out what was planned for this year's Education Nation Summit. During the call we learned about many of the exciting activities planned. This year I am especially looking forward to the coverage that includes an increased focus on student voice as well as attention to the issues around "college for all" and is it really worth the cost.
However, there was one important group missing.
Home educators.
The number of home educated students has doubled in the past few years and this is no longer just a choice reserved for certain religious groups. It has gone mainstream. As a public school educator I have become enthralled not only with this movement, but with the amazing success that children who are living life without school are having both from the standpoint of academic achievement, college acceptance, citizenship, and achieving career goals.
Some may wonder why Education Nation and other mainstream press shine the spotlight on charter schools which serve the same percentage of our nation's students but simply neglect to recognize another thriving and more successful movement. Could it be, as some savvy home educators in my online group have suggested, that it is being left out because it has no place in the corporate reform movement?
Let's hope not.
The research tells us homeschooled children outperform publicly school children on nearly all measures. I suggested that it was time to shine attention on this segment of our population that has proven itself to be one of the most effective paths to college and career success.
I was pleasantly surprised to hear they were open to the idea.
Through the time I spend as an advocate and moderator of a online home education group for adults and teens I have had the opportunity to connect with some of the most prominent voices in home education who are guiding parents and young people in this journey. Below (listed alphabetically) are my recommendations for those who would make terrific guests on Education Nation to provide a missing perspective that deserves to be included.
I want more »