What Should a Child Learn?

Is there an essential body of knowledge that everyone simply must know in order to survive or to thrive in this world? Who decides what kids must learn? How do they know?

These are questions most people don't often consider. Parents send their kids to school because that's what their parents did. "School" as such is just what kids do. Many people never question it.

But I think (and hope) this dynamic is changing. What with the glorious internet, people are realizing other options exist besides public school. True, more families than ever before are homeschooling. But is that in proportion to our population increasing?

One of the blogs I read recently resonated with me because it discussed a belief I hold dear: it takes a community to raise a child. More than ever before I think this idea is important, with our American divorce rate ever climbing and single parents being the norm.

I like the idea of a school co-op, where one person educates the children of several families. Alternatively, several parents could share the responsibility, either by working with the kids certain days or co-teaching with each other. There are many reasons that a school co-op is ideal:

1. The kids still get to socialize with other kids, as they would in a school setting. 
2. Smaller student:teacher ratio allows for much more individual attention.
3. Stronger relationships.
4. Healthier meal options than public schools.
5. Increased autonomy, both for the student and his parents.
6. More active learning such as field trips!
7. Greater access to technology. 
8. More all-around freedom, with schedules, curriculum, etc.
9. No tedious homework! 
10. Students mingling with a variety of ages more closely mirrors society.