Homeschooling Debate

[MaryAnnDVC]

I personally wouldn't homeschool. Just couldn't do it. I love being with my kids, but not 24/7. I really treasure my alone time. Maybe that comes from growing up as the youngest of 5 in a small house and NEVER having my own space or time. Also...I'm not qualified to teach, and we live in a good school system (altho, I could criticize certain things, but I try to go with the flow).

My niece is homeschooling her 4 kids (5th on the way). She has a degree in elementary education. She just started homeschooling in the past year after moving to Florida and not liking the schools there. It's working for them, for now. I'm sure if, along the way, things change, she'll re-evaluate the situation.

I think there are some really great aspects to homeschooling and public or private schools.

 

[Feralpeg]

I have my teaching license and could homeschool my DD, but I think we will stay better friends if someone else is her teacher! Besides, I know my limitations. She will be taking Calculus this year. I couldn't begin to teach it.

 

[Puffy2]

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.

There are a lot of people out there just like that ( I know because I've met them in homeschool circles) but I'm still for parents having the right to school their children in the best way they see fit. They could get the SAME education in a private school that held such narrrow minded beliefs. And the public schools limit student's access to information also by putting students at an early age into "targeted groups" like "gifted" "average" "under acheiver" - often it is almost impossible to break out of these "labels". I won't have my children limited by EITHER camp. I want them to have the best education possible and I'm grateful that as a family we are able to provide that.

I do regret that so many people have a negative view of homeschoolers - it makes it that much tougher for my kids because they constantly have to "prove" themselves.

 

[JoyG]

I am certified to teach PreK to 6, but I wouldn't homeschool my own children. There are two main reasons:

1. I don't have the patience or objectivity to teach my own kids.

2. Although I believe I'm a darn good teacher, I'm not perfect. I have areas of strength and weakness and if my kids had me as their only teacher, they wouldn't get anyone to "fill in the blanks." Some teachers excel at teaching Language Arts, some teachers excel in Science. I'm not deficient in any areas, but I'm not passionate about them all. I want my children to have teachers who are passionate about different types of things throughout their educational careers.

That is also the reason that I personally will not choose to loop with a class (teach the same class two or more years in a row).

That said, the handful of families I've met who are homeschooling are doing a fantastic job at it. I think if you're called to do that good for you!

 

[Pugdog007]

The "cons" are that you could have someone with substandard grammar skills themselves, trying to teach their children proper English. Sadly, many people don't recognize that their own grammar and punctuation skills are poor. Is there some type of certification required to home-school?

 

[noseybuddy]

My kids would never want to be homeschooled. The best part of their day is seeing their friends. Too boring at home, plus they wouldn't listen to me and I wouldn't want them home all day either. My kids have had some bad teachers over the years, but there were more good teachers than bad.

 

[meandtheguys2]

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.

People forget that 1/2 the kids in reg. school situations "don't fit in" either. There is no guarantee that a kid that has problems after HSing wouldn't have had problems anyway. Some kids/adults are social and some not so much.

I thought HSing was horrid when my oldest bro decided to do it. That was in the early 80's, and we had never heard of it. I was downright nasty about education and about socialization. Every kid I have dealt with since has proved me wrong. We get 8 - 10 HSers at the college I work with every year, and I don't see any negative aspects with them. DN and DN have turned out remarkable in every way, surviving college, internships, mission trips, dating and marriage.

As both a teacher, and a MH professional working within the school system, I saw very few teaching with a passion. Getting thru the day was the primary goal, even of the good teachers. They spent more time maintaining order in the classroom than teaching, sadly enough.

We started out with a very nice private school, but found even in that smaller classroom the one bad egg in the class took the majority of the time of the teacher. By necessity, not the teachers fault.

 

[auntpolly]

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.

Many things - but the most important being time away from parents and having relationships and learining things from perspectives that are different than what the kid's family can give them.

I think parents start to think that only they can give a kid what he needs. Some of the most important things that a child will learn will come from the most random people.Not every good thing your kid learns will come from you.

I know homeschool parents think that they are giving kids that opportunity, but it's in a very controlled way. Kids need to have the opportunity to seek out their own influences, to a certain extent. I mean, you keep your eye on them, you don't want it to be the neighborhood gang - but it's part of growing up.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

The "cons" are that you could have someone with substandard grammar skills themselves, trying to teach their children proper English. Sadly, many people don't recognize that their own grammar and punctuation skills are poor. Is there some type of certification required to home-school?

But there are resources out there to combat this.

Certification is not required.

There is plenty of curricula out there to teach your child what they need to know.

There are private schools that will even do testing and grading for you--should you desire it.

 

[meandtheguys2]

Also, in Ohio there are more requirements for "passing" than in the Public Schools. There is no "passing kids along." Unlike the teachers, we are held accountable for our children.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Many things - but the most important being time away from parents and having relationships and learining things from perspectives that are different than what the kid's family can give them.

I think parents start to think that only they can give a kid what he needs. Some of the most important things that a child will learn will come from the most random people.Not every good thing your kid learns will come from you.

I know homeschool parents think that they are giving kids that opportunity, but it's in a very controlled way. Kids need to have the opportunity to seek out their own influences, to a certain extent. I mean, you keep your eye on them, you don't want it to be the neighborhood gang - but it's part of growing up.

Wow! I think that is the best arguement I have read yet!!! Great post Auntpolly!

 

[Brier Rose]

The "cons" are that you could have someone with substandard grammar skills themselves, trying to teach their children proper English. Sadly, many people don't recognize that their own grammar and punctuation skills are poor. Is there some type of certification required to home-school?

This reminds me of that movie the Waterboy!

Do people really think homeschool teachers are like, "OK, Billy Bob, you come right over here and I'm gonna learn you everything I know about the grammer."

We have these little things called curriculum guides, as well as teacher editions. Not to mention the fact that the do still have to pass the tests that go along with the books they are studing with.

Do people really not realize that we use real books, and not just random stuff out of our head.

I could tell my kids all kind of misinformation, but then they wouldn't pass any of their tests. It's really impossible to "teach" it wrong.
Either they know it the correct way, or they don't.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Homeschool does not equate to sheltering though.

My child is exposed to many things beyond my scope of influence. Sure I pick what she is exposed to--but she gets much more influence in the real world than children do who are in the classroom.

She won't be locked up in my home until she goes to college.

There are sheltered traditional school students and there are sheltered home students. That makes up a small percentage of the population.

There are co-ops, support groups and not to mention the different adults my daughter learns from at church and her extra-curricular activities.

So while you make good points, Aunt Polly--I think it is a stereotype that is being improperly applied to all of homeschooling.

ETA: I can just as easily say that sending a child to school is a disservice to them as well--as it places the emphasis that peers are more important than family, that the parents don't know anything, and that learning to take a test means that you will be educated as a result. Is this true for all schools--most certainly not. But it is very easy to come up with examples of where it is.

 

[auntpolly]

So while you make good points, Aunt Polly--I think it is a stereotype that is being improperly applied to all of homeschooling.

I'm sure that you are doing the best you can for your kids and I'm just speaking in general terms, so please don't take this personally, but I disagree. I think that it's the nature of the beast, so to speak, but as I've said, there are cases that it's inevitable and can be worked through.

I'm not saying a home schooled child is locked away from society - just not given the opportunity to experience society in a way that they should.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'm not saying a home schooled child is locked away from society - just not given the opportunity to experience society in a way that they should.

We'll have to agree to disagree.

How is society experienced in an institution?

 

[chrissyk]

I'm not saying a home schooled child is locked away from society - just not given the opportunity to experience society in a way that they should.

I can see your point, but I have to disagree with this part of it. I went to a private, independent school for all of my pre-college education. In grades 6-8, I was bullied by what I can only term pre-teen animals. Apparently several of them are in jail now, which does not surprise me in the least. I went to school to learn. They went to school to victimize someone. In grades 6-8, I was the chosen unlucky one for whatever reason. Before that, other kids in the class had been the victim.

Did I experience society in a way that I should I seriously doubt it. I would have been MUCH better off if my parents had pulled me out to homeschool me for those 3 years. For one thing, I wouldn't have been afraid for my physical safety while in school. For another, I wouldn't have dealt with years of nightmares associated with the experience.

There are cases where homeschooling IS appropriate. I might even consider it for my own kids when they are in the Jr. High age range. I want to first make sure that I am not allowing my own experience to cloud my judgement in making that decision, though. Homeschooling does not always keep kids from experiencing society as they should. Sometimes it protects them from a "society" of people that would be locked up behind bars if they were adults.

 

[minkydog]

I can see your point, but I have to disagree with this part of it. I went to a private, independent school for all of my pre-college education. In grades 6-8, I was bullied by what I can only term pre-teen animals. Apparently several of them are in jail now, which does not surprise me in the least. I went to school to learn. They went to school to victimize someone. In grades 6-8, I was the chosen unlucky one for whatever reason. Before that, other kids in the class had been the victim.

Did I experience society in a way that I should I seriously doubt it. I would have been MUCH better off if my parents had pulled me out to homeschool me for those 3 years. For one thing, I wouldn't have been afraid for my physical safety while in school. For another, I wouldn't have dealt with years of nightmares associated with the experience.

There are cases where homeschooling IS appropriate. I might even consider it for my own kids when they are in the Jr. High age range. I want to first make sure that I am not allowing my own experience to cloud my judgement in making that decision, though. Homeschooling does not always keep kids from experiencing society as they should. Sometimes it protects them from a "society" of people that would be locked up behind bars if they were adults.

This is exactly why we chose to continue homeschooling my DS through the middle school years. He was a small, slight shrimpy kid who loved reading and writing more than sports and was walking through life with a "hit me" sign on the front of his shirt. In fact, when he did go to High School the counselor looked him over and said, "they're gonna eat him for lunch". Although he did have some rough times, I firmly believe that by having him OUT of public school during those crucial middle years, we probably were able to avoid some other worse things, like drugs.

BTW--he's over 6ft now and all that reading & writing has propelled him toward a career in theater.

 

[DrCavin]

I didn't read every post word-for-word, so I may have missed this. What about homeschool kids participating in sports? Do they just participate as if they are going to the public school?

 

[minkydog]

I didn't read every post word-for-word, so I may have missed this. What about homeschool kids participating in sports? Do they just participate as if they are going to the public school?

In our area we have some homeschool sports teams: cheerleading,track, soccer, basketball, & football. They usually play teams from other private schools.

 

[chrissyk]

This is exactly why we chose to continue homeschooling my DS through the middle school years. He was a small, slight shrimpy kid who loved reading and writing more than sports and was walking through life with a "hit me" sign on the front of his shirt. In fact, when he did go to High School the counselor looked him over and said, "they're gonna eat him for lunch". Although he did have some rough times, I firmly believe that by having him OUT of public school during those crucial middle years, we probably were able to avoid some other worse things, like drugs.

BTW--he's over 6ft now and all that reading & writing has propelled him toward a career in theater.

I may very well make the same choice when we have children in the Jr. High age range. Time will tell. Honestly, a lot of people think that private school will solve the Jr. High issues...well, I can personally attest to the fact that that is not necessarily the case! I could easily have done without those 3 h@llish years of my life.

For the record, there was nothing about me that was an obvious "hit me" sign, either, other than the fact that I was a very good and dedicated student at that age. Since I don't know what makes one kid the intended victim over another, my gut feeling would be to err on the side of caution and to homeschool for those years personally. Again, though, I'll certainly be scrutinizing my decision carefully when the time comes.

BTW, once I got to high school, I was popular and never got picked on again. One of the bullies ended up at my high school, where he was a social outcast. Go figure...karma is a b*tch