TO THE EDITOR:
Mr. Levy, if you believe home-schoolers should be barred from public school athletics (“Home-schooled athletes play by different rules,” Apr. 13), I respect your opinion. However, you should afford similar respect to the home-schooling community.
Since UNC typically admits few home-schooled freshmen, many UNC students are unfamiliar with home-schooling. Because of this, I will gladly explain that it is neither “grade inflation at its most obvious” nor “a free A.”
In North Carolina, home-schooled children are required to submit attendance reports to the state and take annual standardized tests beginning at age seven. Based on growing research, home-schooled students tend to score above average on standardized tests across the board.
When applying for college they are encouraged — and often required — to exceed ordinary standards in order to be considered for admission. To meet these expectations, they blend dual enrollment, distance learning, tutoring, and personal study to create unique educational experiences.
Yes, home-schoolers do play by different rules, but difference does not imply inferiority. As an example, I point to Kelsey Farson, who in 2008 became the first entirely home-schooled Morehead-Cain Scholar. Her inspiring achievement shows both home-schooling and the “Carolina spirit” at their best.
As you all would toward students of a different race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation, I ask my fellow UNC students to respect and welcome people of diverse educational backgrounds. And if you have any questions, feel free to ask me; I was home-schooled.
Brittany Darst
Freshman
