Running Start—What a Blessing!

Created by the legislature to shift money and students around, Running Start has led the nation in high school-college cooperation and acceleration, has served as a model for other states, and has blessed the lives of thousands of Washington state students.  While it would be generous in the extreme to thank the legislators who made it all possible, it would also be foolish in the extreme for any student who can qualify not to seriously consider it. 

I read an article which did not share my enthusiasm.  The gist of that article was “ I like my kids, and want to keep them around me longer.”  Obviously, it was written by a mother with cable apron strings and dull scissors.  So let me speak as a father.   

Look around at the mall, or in church, sometime, at how fathers and mothers carry their babies.  Mommies snuggle them in close, turn them toward their faces or chests, protect, nurture, succor.  Daddies, on the other hand, toss them into the air, and hold them in the bend in the arm, facing the world.  Daddies prepare the kid for life, and to leave home. 

Consider the plight of the child who, upon reaching the age of emancipation, has minimal experience with people, business, finance, accountability, and dealing with challenges.  I see them every day.  I am a school teacher.  My friends, who are landlords, probation officers, bill collectors and unhappy employers, also see them every day.  Where did we go wrong?  In not sending them through the school of life while we were teaching them the values and knowledge to enrich that life.   

From the time a child is 12 he needs real connections with the community.  From 16 on, he needs to participate in the community, knowing he can return home to safety.  Our purpose as homeschoolers from ages 16 to 18 is to transition our children, not to protect them.  They need service, part-time work, and to take stock—to measure their abilities to compete, and to provide for themselves against the world they will enter within two years.  Again, what a boon Running Start is. 

Running Start is a safe, limited entrance into the real world, paid for with tax money.  Students take Running Start because they can choose from among hundreds of teachers, thousands of classes, get ready for work (even earn a vocational certificate), prepare for the university (even get out of many classes there), discuss ideas with a diversity of people, and after 3 or 4 hours each day, go home to security, where people aren’t so weird.  ALL THIS, AND IT IS FREE.  Why would any loving parent steer a child any other direction?   

I could recount hundreds of stories of students who have used Running Start to jump-start their career, their education, their competence and their income.  Many used it to obtain the certificate (and the job) that allowed them to comfortably pay for college.  Many used it to explore interests and options, and to choose a career.  Many used it to gently get used to the world they live in—and to learn to cope with the strange people out there without relinquishing their own values.  Many found it to be a nice half-way house between full-time at home, and being completely on their own.  And they didn’t have to pay for it!  There are, of course students who weren’t ready for Running Start, emotionally or academically, and who quit after one or two quarters, but even that is worth knowing, and allows us determine what to do next to prepare for life.   

As a teacher since 1977, a homeschooling father of nine, and the owner of a private school, I have encouraged every student I have ever known, who could qualify, to consider Running Start.  My first four children all attended, and the others will when of age.  Those four all gained maturity, competence, skills and confidence that I had been trying desperately to instill.  All got a jump start on college, at no cost.  All made friends, and found new interests.  All would recommend it. 

Joel D. Black, Ph.D.

Running Start programs in the State of Washington

Last update: December, 2006

Disclaimer: Though WALDSFE, Helaman's Academy and/or Doreen Blanding does its best to thoroughly screen every product, company, website and individual listed on these pages, please note that WALDSFE, Helaman's Academy and/or Doreen Blanding does not endorse any product, company, website or individual listed.  If you have a problem with a page, find broken links, or companies that no longer support homeschooling please send email .

copyright © 2003-2009 Doreen Blanding, Helaman's Academy
 

web waldsfe.org