Homeschooling Debate

[N.Bailey]

I just have to say that this sounds like exactly, and I mean exactly what my nephew would do in this situation and it just about makes me cry. He is severely dyslexic and has some kind of tracking aphasia or something along those lines. Maybe your niece really doesn't know how to spell because of a terrible education and I am not attacking your post, but it totally makes me think of DN. One of my sisters had arranged this family game thing that involved reading words in a certain order in kind of a round robin thing and DN said it was stupid and walked out of the room. At that point Sis realized what she had done and felt awful. (Not his mom, another sis.) Anyway, he was like 19 at the time and is now about 22 and is a very successful well liked construction worker where his struggles with reading and spelling do not affect him. (Actually, he can read now, but if something is read aloud to him or he has to try to picture a word in his mind--like this joke required, there is no way he could do it.)

Just a different perspective to think about.

I appreciate you're taking the time to respond and I didn't want you to feel that I ignored your post here. I did respond to things you'd said in the post before this one too, I just didn't quote you in it.

Thanks for clarifying why my niece might not have been able to answer what grade level she's in. I think I'd asked her sister a few times and she always gave the answer that I expected. Of course, she's very close to another cousin who is the same age and she probably just used the grade that my other niece was in. I do understand what you're saying though.

 

[momof2inPA]

IMO, if the niece can't spell, it's partially the school district's fault for not checking her portfolio a little better. As mentioned, the portfolio and mandatory testing are required in PA. Also, cyber school sounds like it would be an improvement over the girl's current learning situation, not only because of the free materials but because of the additional attendance oversight. They will provide materials, computer, and some one-on-one teaching assistance for kids with learning disabilities, but they also monitor the hours spent, either daily or weekly, on lessons. As an aside, some cyber schools will also pay for community college courses for high school students who qualify.

My son attended K12 Cyber charter school in PA for the last three years. The curriculum in most areas is excellent-- superior in most respects to the public schools. This year, he starts school at the local Catholic school, where I hope he'll enjoy the increased socializing. Even though we kept him very involved in sports and extra-curricular activities, I have decided that it's not the same as every day exposure to one's peers. All kids are different, but I believe that my son would benefit from that exposure at this point in his life. If it doesn't work out, we can always switch back.

My friend decided to enroll her kids in the same school last year after homeschooling for several years. She says that academically they are bored and say that school is very easy, but socially they are flourishing. It must be a trade-off.

 

[N.Bailey]

IMO, if the niece can't spell, it's partially the school district's fault for not checking her portfolio a little better. As mentioned, the portfolio and mandatory testing are required in PA. Also, cyber school sounds like it would be an improvement over the girl's current learning situation, not only because of the free materials but because of the additional attendance oversight. They will provide materials, computer, and some one-on-one teaching assistance for kids with learning disabilities, but they also monitor the hours spent, either daily or weekly, on lessons. As an aside, some cyber schools will also pay for community college courses for high school students who qualify.

My son attended K12 Cyber charter school in PA for the last three years. The curriculum in most areas is excellent-- superior in most respects to the public schools. This year, he starts school at the local Catholic school, where I hope he'll enjoy the increased socializing. Even though we kept him very involved in sports and extra-curricular activities, I have decided that it's not the same as every day exposure to one's peers. All kids are different, but I believe that my son would benefit from that exposure at this point in his life. If it doesn't work out, we can always switch back.

My friend decided to enroll her kids in the same school last year after homeschooling for several years. She says that academically they are bored and say that school is very easy, but socially they are flourishing. It must be a trade-off.

Can you tell me where I can get the information on this cyber school program you're talking about? My sister in law does care about her daughters very much and I know she would check into it IF they could afford it (they can't afford much) and if it met her husband's demands of no public school.

I could casually mention that I'd read a thread about home schooling and everyone raved about this program. Oh well, I'd lie a little, but it's an easy way of bringing the topic up without offending her.

 

[paigevz]

Anyway, guess what I was trying to say is that in the end I still really believe that it all comes down to how a child is raised by their parents, rather than how they a schooled.

That's it exactly on behaviors, manners, etc. Just as my public school students show a huge range of behaviors..........some being perfectly pleasant and polite, and some..........um...........not.

Academics-wise, I think depends on the child, the program you use, the way you measure, and the teacher..........whether schooled at home, over the computer, in a public or private school.

Social skills are learned, social introvertedness or extrovertedness is a combination of learned and inborn behaviors, imo. There are studies, of course, but as someone said on another thread, you can always find studies that refute other studies, so I'm just giving my opinion. Both my sons have been quite shy at very young ages. My oldest became extroverted about age 4 1/2.........very, very extroverted.......he made friends everywhere. Now, getting into his preteen phase, he's becoming shy/self-conscious again. Experiences can color the child's inborn tendencies.

As to getting along with a variety of people........ages, etc...........my son (and other public schooled kids) get PLENTY of time for that, too. They are only in school 180 days a year.........less than half..............AND only for about half their waking hours, then. So they spend only a quarter of their time in school. The rest of the time, my son spends time with children in the neighborhood of many different ages, children on sports teams and camps of several different ages (usually a three year span), children met at the park, mall, supermarket, pool, etc.....................and believe me, they can really get a lot done in that hour! He also spends plenty of time with adults........teachers, friends of the family, and family.

As I've said before, I think each family should make their own choice for their family and their child. There is no one size fits all, and no benefit or detriment that can't apply to both home-schooled and school-schooled children.

This is a great thread!

 

[sha_lyn]

here is the link for the PA cyber school using K12
http://www.pavcs.org/

K12 is an excelent program IMHO. We don't use it, but plan to once DD hit about 5 grade or so. Hopefully by then GA will offer it as a Cyber Charter school.

 

[N.Bailey]

here is the link for the PA cyber school using K12
http://www.pavcs.org/

K12 is an excelent program IMHO. We don't use it, but plan to once DD hit about 5 grade or so. Hopefully by then GA will offer it as a Cyber Charter school.

Thanks, it looks like it's an interesting program, but it appears to only go to 8th grade.

 

[Brier Rose]

Thanks, it looks like it's an interesting program, but it appears to only go to 8th grade.

Here is the one that we are using for my DD this year. The Morning Star Academy

It does go all the way through 12th grade with a college prep program.

They even give a GPA and class rank for seniors, a diploma, and help with college placement in the form of professional portfolios, college guidence, and written recommendations.

It's not free, but so far we have thought it well worth the money. They do have a payment plan if that could help make it more of an option.

 

[N.Bailey]

Here is the one that we are using for my DD this year. The Morning Star Academy

It does go all the way through 12th grade with a college prep program.

They even give a GPA and class rank for seniors, a diploma, and help with college placement in the form of professional portfolios, college guidence, and written recommendations.

It's not free, but so far we have thought it well worth the money. They do have a payment plan if that could help make it more of an option.

I couldn't sleep!! Hubby came to bed and started snoring, so I jumped on again to see if anyone else responded.

Thanks for the link here. I'm going to mention this program to them. I thought the price was reasonable really, but not sure how they'll feel about it.

I'm also concerned that my niece might have some learning disabilities and from what I read, this program isn't geared towards kids like this, but they do encourage parents to look over things over and decide if their child it to that level. It's absolutely worth looking into, at least IMO it is. Thanks for recommending it.

 

[Goobergal99]

Personally, I think school is meant for the development of socialization skills just as much as the education of children. So, I am anti home schooling because it interuppts the normal socialization that takes place when a child is in a school setting.

Many of the women I know who home school their children, do so because they are worried about the influence that children will be subject to from teachers and students in school. I personally think this is one of the lessons children need to learn in life, how to avoid negative influence and disregard it. If a child is sheltered from dealing with such then it is my opinion that they will be more likely to be negatively influenced when they go out into the real world.

I also think that children will be unable to take criticism because in the home school setting they are unlikely to be faced with it. In the event that they are faced with disapproval, it is coming from their parents anyway and they know that despite the constructive criticism they really haven't failed in their parents eyes. Children need to fail and most of all they need to know what it feels like to do so. It is a part of life and imperative to the growing process.

 

[Goobergal99]

BTW, despite the way I feel, I could honestly care less what everyone else is doing. So homeschool away, it's your kid, your buisness. As for mine, her but will be in school from 8:30-3 until she is old enough to vote!

 

[Brier Rose]

Hi

Looks like a restless night for me too!

I do know one thing about the program is that you don't just sign up for a certain grade.

You have the freedom to go up or down a level based on what you need.
You pick your courses individually.

You do have to finish certain courses to be able to get your diploma, but you can do that at any time 9th - 12th grades.

Maybe if she started out with something a little easier to help her get caught up, the other courses she would need later might not be quite so hard?

Another neat feature is that they can have 6 courses on their roster all the time. So if they finish say Math 8, during the first half of the year, they can move up to Math 9 to finish out the year for like $25.00.

And as you already noted, they do give you 30 days to try it out, so if they don't like it, they can cancel, only paying for they days used.

I hope they can find something that works.

 

[DISNEYFANRI]

Hi Jenny - another Rhode Islander here. I have 2 children - oldest graduated from high school this year - 2nd is going into junior year in high - both went to public schools. Child #2 - my son alsyys from the time he started school begged me to home school him.....I always wrote it off as a little boy who just hated school - found out several years later (not until 6th grade) that he was ADD with anxiety disorder ( he really wanted that one-on-one).
That being said I still would not have done it- I am convinced that he would have thrived and would not still be struggling in school as he is now - but I don't feel that I am qualified and I do think that social interaction is very important to the growing/maturing process.
This is my personal opinion - kudos to all parents and kids who have success stories with homeschooling!!

 

[momof2inPA]

Can you tell me where I can get the information on this cyber school program you're talking about? My sister in law does care about her daughters very much and I know she would check into it IF they could afford it (they can't afford much) and if it met her husband's demands of no public school.

The school I had in mind is the Western Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School. Here's the link:

http://www.wpccs.com/

 

[LisaR]

Getting in very late on this thread but I need to address some things:

Socialization: If anyone still believes kids that are homeschooled are not getting socialization, then they just flat out don't know what they are talking about.
My kids have too many activities. They are with other kids four out of five weekdays during school hours. After school they are playing with the neighborhood kids regularly. During the week, they are in both structured and unstructured environments. We are always on the go. It gets crazy at times and we have to cut back.

My standard reply to the people that ask me about socialization is: Yeah, socialization is a HUGE problem for us. I keep telling my kids that we need to stop socializing with so many people and actually get some work done!

Sheltering: Unless your child is kept in the house 24/7, it would be hard to shelter them. The neighborhood bully lives right across the street from us. My daughter has put him in his place from day one and it took about four attempts before he figured out he couldn't bully her. A home-schooled kid that we don't know pulled a knife out and threatened someone at a park day we were attending. My kids know all about drugs and sex. My kids hang out with kids from public school and private schools along with other home-schooled children. I venture to guess that my children are exposed to far more then the average kid out there. We want our kids to see what happens out in the world.

Are there some sheltered kids that are homeschooled? Certainly. But in my experience, that isn't the majority, it is the minority. And I don't know anyone that hasn't encountered a public or private schooled kid that wasn't sheltered. We have all met them. I have a cousin that was the most sheltered kid I have ever known. She was a product of the public schools.

Only teachers are qualified to teach: That is a crock! I do not have a teaching degree, yet before children, I was a substitute teacher at our local elementary school. I had subbed so much that I was offered a teaching job! I do have a degree, but not in teaching, yet the school seemed to think I was qualified to teach 30 kids every day.

In high school 20 years ago, my English teacher was pulled from her classroom and made to teach History. She quit after a year. No problem. They had the gym teacher teach History instead! That lasted for five years until the school closed. My niece was in a private Catholic school and her math teacher left on medical leave and was replaced by the art teacher. When the math teacher couldn't return due to illness, the art teacher continued on for three years. Yet I am not qualified to teach my own kids?? Sorry, but I don't buy it. Do I think I am proficient in every subject? Absolutely not. However, I am smart enough to use the resources that are available. There are online classes, college classes and tutors available if I need any help teaching a subject.

The one comment I hear from people regularly is, "how can you teach your kids. I can barely help my 4th grader with his math." Let me tell you that I use to stink at math. It was my weakness. However, it is amazing how good I am at math now because I have walked my kids through it for years. Those of you with kids in school don't do math every day. If you help your kids when they need help, it is usually just a few problems, a few times a week. I teach math daily. I am doing sample problems every single day. Math used to be foreign to me until I began homeschooling my kids. I passed Calculus and Trigonometry in school with a little bit of luck and a lot of cheating! Because I am learning along with my kids, I now get it. It comes easy to me finally and it makes it easy for me to teach.

I have NEVER run into a single person out there that thinks their child's public or private education is perfect (unless they are debating home-schooling). Every single system, including home-schooling, has its flaws. There are home-schooling families out there that are doing their kids an injustice. But don't tell me the same can't be said for many school systems.

I would never questions someone's decision to put their child into the public school system. It is their right. However, it is also my right to home-school my kids and I am so happy that is an option. It works out great for us.

Lisa

 

[auntpolly]

Getting in very late on this thread but I need to address some things:

Socialization: If anyone still believes kids that are homeschooled are not getting socialization, then they just flat out don't know what they are talking about.
My kids have too many activities. They are with other kids four out of five weekdays during school hours. After school they are playing with the neighborhood kids regularly. During the week, they are in both structured and unstructured environments. We are always on the go. It gets crazy at times and we have to cut back.

Aren't you using the definition of the word that the article says is incorrect? I think we all get what you guys mean by socialization, but I'll just speak for myself and say that I just disagree with the lengths you have gone to control the socialization, and the reasons for doing it.


Lisa[/QUOTE]

 

[LisaR]

Aren't you using the definition of the word that the article says is incorrect? I think we all get what you guys mean by socialization, but I'll just speak for myself and say that I just disagree with the lengths you have gone to control the socialization, and the reasons for doing it.
Lisa

[/QUOTE]

I didn't read the article. What lengths am I going to "control" the socialization? My kids are allowed to participate in anything they want. They participate in things that are full of kids from public and private schools. They are taught things by other adults besides me. They have tons of free time to just be kids and hang out with friends. Are you telling me that the school system isn't a controlled environment? For seven hours a day, public/private schooled kids are told what to do and when to do it.

Lisa

 

[N.Bailey]

The school I had in mind is the Western Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School. Here's the link:

http://www.wpccs.com/

Thank you. I have looked over the website and it looks like they qualify. I am definitely going to suggest this to them. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[sha_lyn]

Here is a wonderful article that debunks many of the myths and stereotypes of homeschooling

http://www.gobelle.com/p/articles/mi_m0838/is_131/ai_n14810506?pi=gbl