3 ms·

Aren't there specialty publishers for home schooling? I was home-schooled for a year as a kid, and we used to get catalogs of specialty curriculum (classical e

Aren't there specialty publishers for home schooling? I was home-schooled for a year as a kid, and we used to get catalogs of specialty curriculum (classical education in greek, latin, religious books, etc). Perhaps not material for a "start-up", but there is definitely a very enthusiastic customer base.

subpixel 10y ago
I have a homeschooling family member and her behavior closely resembles that of early Ravelry/Etsy/Meetup adopters: she's finding fellow travelers online, meeting up in person, collaborating on events (co-teaching, field trips), and she feels likes she's at the vanguard of a movement. I'd say this is a stellar business opportunity, especially for a company that is mission-driven, transparent, and possibly even partially crowd-funded. Many readers of this message may feel a lifetime away from questions of childhood education, but today more than ever parents are realizing the insanity of letting school districting determine where they work and live. And millions of parents want to give their children a better education than their district offers, but can't move or afford private school. I suspect non-traditional schooling will be as common as remote working in a decade or so.
- garysieling 10y ago
  That's an interesting set of observations. My parents have a beekeeping business, and the homeschooling set seems to have been great for them. A lot of people are interested in alternative food/medicine stuff, as well as educational 4H type demos of honey extraction, and the homeschooling groups seem to have referred a lot of people to them. I suspect there would be a bit of culture clash with ycombinator though.
  - subpixel 10y ago
    Not to get all wiseacre but the real culture clash is when primary education amounts to almost nothing. I've taught in inner-city high schools and I'm positive that a single person (parent or otherwise) with the right motivation and tools can better educate a child than a failing system.
    - garysieling 10y ago
      Fair enough, I appreciate hearing your experience!

subpixel 10y ago

I have a homeschooling family member and her behavior closely resembles that of early Ravelry/Etsy/Meetup adopters: she's finding fellow travelers online, meeting up in person, collaborating on events (co-teaching, field trips), and she feels likes she's at the vanguard of a movement. I'd say this is a stellar business opportunity, especially for a company that is mission-driven, transparent, and possibly even partially crowd-funded. Many readers of this message may feel a lifetime away from questions of childhood education, but today more than ever parents are realizing the insanity of letting school districting determine where they work and live. And millions of parents want to give their children a better education than their district offers, but can't move or afford private school. I suspect non-traditional schooling will be as common as remote working in a decade or so.

garysieling 10y ago
That's an interesting set of observations. My parents have a beekeeping business, and the homeschooling set seems to have been great for them. A lot of people are interested in alternative food/medicine stuff, as well as educational 4H type demos of honey extraction, and the homeschooling groups seem to have referred a lot of people to them. I suspect there would be a bit of culture clash with ycombinator though.
- subpixel 10y ago
  Not to get all wiseacre but the real culture clash is when primary education amounts to almost nothing. I've taught in inner-city high schools and I'm positive that a single person (parent or otherwise) with the right motivation and tools can better educate a child than a failing system.
  - garysieling 10y ago
    Fair enough, I appreciate hearing your experience!