💡 THOUGHT
Yes, you are qualified to teach your kids
Homeschooling dad M.A. Franklin has a good reminder not to let anyone make you feel inadequate about your ability to teach your children.
His insight touches on something we see often at OpenEd: Parents doubting their ability to guide their children's education, despite having unique insights into how their kids learn best.
Here's what we know from thousands of families:
The most important qualification is caring deeply about your child's development
Enthusiasm for learning is contagious
You don't need to know everything - you just need to know how to find resources
The question isn't whether you're qualified. It's about finding the right mix of tools and approaches that work for your family.
📊 TREND
Career-Connected Learning (the numbers don't lie)
A program in Guilford County, NC is showing what's possible when we break down walls between education and real-world experience. Their "Signature Career Academies" let students earn industry credentials while still in high school. The results:
2020-21: 2,966 credentials earned
2021-22: 7,118 credentials earned
2022-23: 10,766 credentials earned
At the same time, the district's graduation rate hit 92.2% – an all-time high.
Why? Because when learning feels relevant, students show up. When students see the direct connection between their education and their future, they engage.
🛠️ TOOL
Code.org: Where Computer Science Meets Real Learning
Looking to add some tech skills to your educational mix? Code.org is a complete computer science education platform used by over 80 million students worldwide.
Zero cost, forever
Available in 67+ languages (that’s spoken languages, not programming languages)
Self-paced courses for every skill level
That last point means you can start exactly where you are. Whether your child is a tech wizard or has never written a line of code, Code.org meets them at their level.
Ready to explore? Start with the Hour of Code (perfect for ages 4 through 104!).
👉 Visit Code.org to get started
(MEME) OF THE DAY
Both are valid reasons.
That’s all for today!
– Charlie (the OpenEd newsletter guy)