Homeschooling Debate

[Lisa loves Pooh]

She said that there are programs/courses that her sons could do online, during the day, while she was at work. BTW, her sons are entering 8th grade this coming year. I'm curious, is that another way to homeschool?

Yes--homeschooling can also be parent directed education. You can register with a private school, you can create their curriculum, you can buy it in a box, they can take classes on the internet.

If the student can be trusted to work independantly---what she is doing is a viable option.

 

[Microcell]

I also need to pay the bills, and I think I can supplement what PS does not cover.

 

[Lil_Tink]

I am not opposed to homeschooling. I have friends who are very nice and very happy with loads of freinds that are homeschooled.. But I have some that are hated and homeschooled to be sheltered.

homeschool- Yes..

Would i ever want it- NEVER!

 

[disneymom3]

I couldn't imagine being homeschooled! I've been very social all my life and I look forward to school. But it's good for some children who need to be kept away from the social aspect until they're a little bit older.

But on the flip side, I have a friend who I met this year and this was his first year coming into a public school. He didn't really know how to function with the rest of us, he's plenty smart but he's not as mature as the rest of us and such. That would be my only reservation towards homeschooling. Also, by highschool, the cliques are pretty well formed, so coming from homeschooling into a school with 1000+ kids is pretty hard.

Oh I missed this one the first time through. NO offense meant at all because from what I have read of your posts you seem like a really nice girl. But I gotta say, my kids are not kept away from any social aspects. Quite the opposite actually. DD knows by name every child from ages 6 to 10 in our church and in our neighborhood. I literally have to hang a sign on the door during her brothers naptime so kids will stop ringing the doorbell. We were at a resort this weekend and she made a new "best friend" whom she exchanged addresses with and made plans to see next year. For the 5 weekends before that, she was either spending the night at a friend's house or had a friend here. She has the best sense of humor and the most infectious giggle ever. She also converses well with adults and the women in my office all want to take her home.

My middle son who is 5 loves to meet new people and has three best friends who he writes "letters" to and we get together with pretty often. He also, this last weekend was playing catch in the pool with his 6 yo cousin and some bigger kid came and took their ball. DS went over to him adn told him that they were using it and wanted it back. The kid ignored him. DS then told him that it was rude to take things from other people and they wanted their ball back but would be happy to "share it" with him if he wanted to play catch with them or they would give it to him when they were done. The kid gave him the ball and when they were done, DS brought it over to the big kid.

As for having a hard time joining the highschool social scene, what about kids who move in the middle of high school?

 

[paigevz]

I'm a public school teacher, and my school-age son has always attended public school. I have no problem with home schooling in general. Just like parents who send their children to private school, I think everyone should do what they feel is best for their children.

The only thing that bothers me about it is when a homeschooling parent bashes schools, teachers, and parents who send their kids to school. Same for private schooling parents vs. public schools, public school teachers and parents who send their children to public schools.

I am the first to agree that there are problem schools. Some are problems because of poor management and/or poor teachers. Some are problems because they have average to good management, average to good teachers, and a very difficult population. Our school is one like this. We are always on the experimental front of every new thing that comes along........our student scores are very unpredictable.........we've yoyoed from being considered an exemplary school, to failing on our NCYB and needing monitoring. During this time, management is nearly the same, funding has decreased but it's adequate, and we have a mix of teachers, but the average would be very good. The kids yoyo because of a mix of reasons related to their everyday lives OUTSIDE of school.

My son went to that school from K-4. He was put into the gifted talent pool in K, and officially labeled in 2nd, the same year he was officially diagnosed ADHD. I have absolutely no complaints about his schooling in this low SES school........at times with poor ranking. I supported his schooling at home, I made sure he did homework, supplemented his work by working more with him on areas he had difficulty with and seeking out extra for his interests, and I talked with his teachers. Basically everything every parent does. He did well. He loved school.

Some of his teachers had interests, strengths and experiences to share that I didn't have. He learned a lot from the kids and their families.......one friend taught him to speak basic household Laotian. Another taught him to break dance. Another taught him how to read baseball card statistics. I couldn't have taught him any of that. He learned things I wished he hadn't learned so young, but it gave us the opportunity to talk about those things. He encountered his fair share of teachers/ administrators who had issues with ADHD and gifted children in particular, and my son's behaviors are classic................he also encoutered teachers/ administrators who celebrated his differences........both types were valuable for him to learn to deal with.

For my son, homeschooling would not have been as rich as his public school experience was. For others, this may not be true. To each his own, as long as everyone is doing their best for their own.

 

[RitaZ.]

If the student can be trusted to work independantly---what she is doing is a viable option.

I agree with you, being able to work independantly would be key. One of the problems that she has had with the boys is not turning in and not completing classwork at school. As I said, I think that she is desperate to relieve the stress related to the public school and that's probably the reason the online program appeals to her. Knowing the boys, their school issues and her description of the online program, I don't think it would be the best scenario for them, but I wouldn't tell her that.

The county where I live, Broward, from what I have heard has a strong and extensive support system for homeschoolers and their parents.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

For those who support parents having to *prove* that their kids are being educated properly,do you also believe that they should have to prove their kids a being fed properly,not being neglected etc. Generally the state assumes that parents are doing the proper things with regards to their children.It's only when some sort of neglect is suspected that the states step in.
Also do you think a child should have to conform to the standards of the local school district when that same child will NEVER recieve a diploma from that district.? I have to report to my local school district ,and yet,If I educated my children at home,through HS,they would recieve no acknowledgement at all from my school district. No diploma,nothing

I'm skeptical of the "unschooling" method--and don't comprehend it fully. So while I'm not all up on "proving" what I am doing--to an extent I do find it beneficial. So without signaling out a method--as long as they aren't trying to get me to recreate the county classroom in my home and say that I must comply by doing X, Y, and Z--I'm comfortable with teh option of testing or portfolio review.

I'm not comfortable with them being a watchdog and on top of what I do as much as they are with public schools b/c I am not a public school and they do not run me. I know that private schools are not under the same scrutiny as public--they develop their own curriculums--they do their own testing (in Florida, our parochial school does not do the FCAT, they do a different test of their choosing).

In Florida--my child will not get a diploma--but I can create one...and that with the transcripts of what they did in high school aligned with following the entry requirements for college (SAT/ACT scores---that they have to have so many sciences, maths...yadda yadda yadda)---my diploma is "just as good" as that from the district.

The "standards" help keep my skeptical husband comfortable--and I can access what the district feels is important for my kid to know--so that I can roughly have her where she needs to be.

I think the Home School Legal Defense Association is a great thing for anybody who wishes to homeschool. If you are following all requirements for your state and encounter issues with the state....the HSLDA will intervene for you.

I think some accountability is necessary---but as minimal as possible that serves the students while not hindering the family.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I agree with you, being able to work independantly would be key. One of the problems that she has had with the boys is not turning in and not completing classwork at school. As I said, I think that she is desperate to relieve the stress related to the public school and that's probably the reason the online program appeals to her. Knowing the boys, their school issues and her description of the online program, I don't think it would be the best scenario for them, but I wouldn't tell her that.

The county where I live, Broward, from what I have heard has a strong and extensive support system for homeschoolers and their parents.

Is this the Florida Virtual School? I have a friend who is doing this with her daughter who is a dancer and a very good one at that. Between the late school days and homework--her passion for dance is just to great and the risk of exhaustion too high. Her daughter can work independantly--and will do her work via the Florida Virtual School as a homeschooler. She will have an actual teacher.

Parent Directed Education is important--and what I feel may not be "homeschool" to other parents--it is. And as long as the work gets accomplished and the child learns something and is where they need to be at the time that they can do it....then it is the parent's call.

*Worded it that way--b/c there is research out their for delayed learning as applied to the younger grades. And identifying when your child is ready to learn something as opposed to when the district says they should be learning it. But this applies mostly to the younger grades while my answer was a general answer for all grades.

 

[JennyMominRI]

doing X, Y, and Z--I'm comfortable with teh option of testing or portfolio review.

I'm not comfortable with them being a watchdog and on top of what I do as much as they are with public schools b/c I am not a public school and they do not run me. I know that private schools are not under the same scrutiny as public--they develop their own curriculums--they do their own testing (in Florida, our parochial school does not do the FCAT, they do a different test of their choosing).

.

Just an FYI,but I believe that in 19 states a homeschool is considered a Private School..In Ca,I filled a Private School Affidavit in order to homeschool

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Just an FYI,but I believe that in 19 states a homeschool is considered a Private School..In Ca,I filled a Private School Affidavit in order to homeschool

Right--but I also said that each state is different. In Florida--I can register as or with a 600 school--which is a private school (But losing some rights as a result) or I can register with the county and say "I'm homeschooling" and then send them a letter from a certified teacher who has reviewed their portfolio and says we are doing good....or I can send them test scores. [I mgiht be butchering that--perhaps in either case I only send a letter. Nonetheless, I don't have to register as a private school--I know that for certain].

HSLDA has links for all the states and where to find more information on the legal requirements for each state.

Hubby went to New Mexico--their rules seemed a little more strict to me--but then I read somewhere where some rules were removed (I think the attendance was one of them, but not certain). Compulsory age is 5 instead of 6. And though we are being accountable to ourselves for Kindergarten--it isn't required. In New Mexico, it would be.

 

[JennyMominRI]

I'm a public school teacher, and my school-age son has always attended public school. I have no problem with home schooling in general. Just like parents who send their children to private school, I think everyone should do what they feel is best for their children.

I hope I;ve made it very clear in this thread that this is not my stance at all.

 

[minkydog]

I personally think to do an excellent job at least one parent needs to be present 85% of the time. Leaving 13/14 year olds alone during the day isn't good for homeschool kids or public school kids - just think of how much trouble public school kids get into in that 3pm - 6pm window when their parents aren't home from work (my neighbors son routinely had parties at the house and made "big fire" with gasoline on their driveway!)

This is absolutley true. I homeschooled my 3 kids for 12+ years and I can attest to the enormous time & energy commitment. Parents who think they can just set a teenager down with books and a computer are deluding themselves. Most teens simply do not have that much self-discipline. Heck, most adults don't either!

We started homeschooling because DS, then 8, still could not read at the end of 2nd grade. Had him tested--no LD, just kinda ADD(now there was the understatement of the year.) Dissatisfied with his non-existent progress, we brougt him home and devised a more workable program that met his needs within his style. Bingo! The kids starts reading. John really blossomed at home, where he could wiggle all he wanted. Eventually, we also had Eleni & even Christian homeschooling.

When DS entered 9th grade I knew the time have come for him to re-enter school. I was at my limit with the whole teen thing and he was starting to buck my authority. So I figured a little "reality check" would be a good thing. It was. Until the end of 10th grade when he decided that nobody could be the boss of him.( I do not attribute that to homeschooling, however, but to an extreme way of thinking brought on during puberty that I call testosterone poisoning.) Anyway, we decided that if he was going to be a big butt, he had lost his privilege of going to school. He cried, he threatened, but i was unmoved--no child of mine was going to make a teacher's life hell just for his pleasure. So until he earned some HS credits and changed his ways, he had to stay home. It took 12 months but he earned the right to go back for 11th grade.

John had some serious health issues beginning in 11th grade. Although he was socially doing great, and very popular, he went into a long slow slide which culminated in his being admitted to a psychiatric facility last fall, at the beginning of his 12th grade year. He could not return to school and felt himself a failure. During that same interval, my DH suffered a near-fatal illness and required my very close attention 24/7. Eleni had never been to school, but we placed her with very little warning, she managed 5th grade just fine.

Fast forward a few months--John left home, joined Disney On Ice, worked his tail off for people who didn't care about him, learned many lessons about life on the streets far, far from home. John returned with a desire to finish HS and go to college. We homeschooled again until he finished his last class in June. He starts college in September.

This is a long way of saying, there are many ways to get to the end. For my son, homeschooling probably saved him. It afforded him the time to grow up and get on board. It gave him a rock-solid foundation of commitment. Homeschooling has been my true test of parenthood--just what exactly am I willing to do to see my child successful? I dearly hope my homeschooling career is finished--I'd like to have some time to myself for a change. But if i see one of my other kids floundering, i will step up and do all I can to rescue them, even if it means teaching them at home until they can get on their feet.

Cathy--mom to John(18), Eleni(12),and Christian(10)

 

[RitaZ.]

Is this the Florida Virtual School?

Lisa, I don't know. I don't remember her mentioning a name for the program.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Lisa, I don't know. I don't remember her mentioning a name for the program.

Just asking--b/c as I said....I have a friend who I think her daughter is middle school...homeschooling via that program.

 

[gina2000]

It's not for me. I have one friend who homeschools and unfortunately I do see some pretty important social issue problems which the parents are having a hard time getting a handle on. It's my only experience up close with homeschooling and while it may not be the norm, I feel that it has colored my opinions rather strongly.

 

[paigevz]

I hope I;ve made it very clear in this thread that this is not my stance at all.

Absolutely. Just discussing the fact that some do that. You seem very open to everyone's choices.

 

[auntpolly]

There are certainly cases that homeschooling is best - Jenny's looks like one of those. I think for the majority of homeschoolers, they'd be better in at school.

Fair of me to say? I guess not, but as long as the question was asked, that's what I think.

I've only lived in good school districts and so the homeschoolers I've run into are doing it for other reasons, mostly either because they think society is too ungodly (and we even have excellent Christian schools in the area!) or because they don't think the schools are acknowledging their kids "giftedness". I know this, because they say it -- and they are their kids and they can sure do what they want with them. I really think they are cheating their kids, though.

 

[nuzmom]

Just wanted to ask...

What do you think homeschoolers are cheating their kids out of? I've read it in a few posts and I'm just wondering.

Also, please elaborate on the whole socalizing "thing". HS kids don't fit in? Could you give examples? I'm wondering if some religious HS kids wouldn't fit in anyway due to moral issues that don't match the "main stream", or maybe extremely smart kids or kids that are behind wouldn't fit in because they're "different", but can you tell me some other examples.

Just looking for some more detail in the thinking here. Thanks.

 

[Feralpeg]

I knew a family that homeschooled because he did not like fiction. He didn't want his children exposed to it. The only books they read where non-fiction. He also said he didn't want teachers to slant history for his children. He wanted them to know that without Republicans this country would be a disaster. Those were his exact words. I couldn't believe it.

 

[minkydog]

I knew a family that homeschooled because he did not like fiction. He didn't want his children exposed to it. The only books they read where non-fiction. He also said he didn't want teachers to slant history for his children. [/QUOTE}


He does realize that the entire works of Shakespeare is fiction, right?

He wanted them to know that without Republicans this country would be a disaster. Those were his exact words. I couldn't believe it.

omg,was George Washington a Republican? I don't think so...Of course, I did read some fiction once