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Poem: “Not of School Age” by Robert Frost 

Around bend after bend 

It was blown woods and no end 

I came to but one house 

I made but the one friend 

At the one house, a child was out 

Who drew back at first in doubt 

But spoke to me in a gale, 

That blew so he had to shout. 

His cheek smeared with apple sand, 

A part apple in his hand 

He pointed up the road 

As one having war command 

A parent, his gentler one 

Looked forth on her small son 

And wondered with me there 

What now was being done 

His accent was not good 

But I slowly understood 

Something where I could go 

He couldn’t, but I could 

He was too young to go 

Not over four or so 

But would I please go to school 

And the big flag they had – You know? 

The big flag – the red – white – 

and blue flag – the great sight? 

He bet it was out today 

And would I see if he was right?  

Statement of the Whole: When a parent decides to teach their own child in the place of a school, or to home educate, how does this affect their role as parent?  Can home education enhance parenting, or burden it, or is it neutral?  Jason and Steve take this question on and consider the dangers and benefits of this choice, focusing on the ends possible when a parent is also the main educator.