The Pekin Daily Times – ALLISON GOODRICH 
Among the home-schooling community in McHenry County, the reasons behind the decisions are individualized and specific, but the people who have chosen that route of education are far from alone in the process. For one family, the decision initially was based on finances. For another, it stemmed from disapproval of new state learning standards. A third mother said home-schooling allowed her the freedom to tailor her sons’ education. What they all have in common is that they are part of a larger, very connected network of families in the area that have opted to keep their children home. In general, gone are the days where home-schooling families work independently of one another, especially given the amount of resources and support available, said Tammy Massey, a home-schooling mother in Carpentersville. “I think it used to be more isolated when it was much less popular and well-known,” said Massey, who has home-schooled her two sons, Jordan, 14, and Tyler, 12, since the start of their education.(more)