Question for parents who do NOT home-school

[Barb D]

I'm interested to hear why you stopped homeschooling them Barb! And I promise no flames from me either way!

Several reasons:
1. I worked part time the whole time I was hsing. The last year we hsed I was also working 30 hours a week, and financially really needed to work more. It was getting harder and harder to juggle it all. If I was going to hs DS for high school I knew I was going to need to get him to a lot of co-ops and/or community college classes, which would have made it logistically even harder.

2. We moved into an area with incredible public schools, with lots of resources.

3. The older kids are getting involved in activities that are harder to provide while hsing (orchestra for DD, football for DS.)

We loved hsing, and would have loved to continue, but in our case psing has worked out very well.

 

[laurie31]

We are in the midst of this decision. DD went to private school for 2 years, and now is in public school. The elementary school is wonderful. I've loved her teachers and they have a wonderful art program and also drama, band, chorus, and Spanish classes.

However, things at the middle school are not so rosy. Until a few years ago, we were part of a county system. They did not bother with routine maintanence, upkeep, etc, on the middle or high schools, as they had a long range plan to close them and bus our kids elsewhere. So our city pulled out and started our own school system. (that's when we moved our kids from private to public - we wanted no part of that country system!) Things have dramatically improved since then, but there is much left to be done. The middle school is over 60 years old, has no a/c, inadequate heat, the bathrooms do not meet code, there is asbestos, there is mold, the roof leaks - when it rains, they have to put 5 gallon buckets out everywhere, the wiring isn't adequate, there's no fire alarm system, no sprinklers, well, you get the idea. They are going to build a new school, but it won't be ready until 2009. So....unless I fancy sending my child to spend half her waking hours in a place I wouldn't even consider boarding my dogs in, I will have to homeschool. (the private school she went to is only an elementary school - no private middle/high schools close enough or we would do that for sure.) I don't fear government control, teaching about evolution, her being with other kids, etc, but I can't see sending her someplace that I would not go myself.

She is very involved in church activities, and we may let her be in the middle school band, but I will have to think about it. I've seen the band room She may have to settle for private lessons until high school. All her friends' parents say they will not send their kids there either.

Btw, I feel very sorry for the kids whose parents have no options. The current school board is doing everything they can to raise money to build and are as horrified as the parents over the condition of the school. It doesn't change things for the present, though

Laurie

 

[Bayshore Bandit]

As a parent myself, I respect all parents decisions regarding their kid's
education. As a public school teacher (4th grade), I would love to
have the same "choices" parents and private schools have. I have to keep
all 28 of them, regardless of tardiness, absences, poor work ethic, deadbeat
parents, etc. But, I knew that going in, so I live with it.
One thing though, don't tell me my job isn't "rocket science", or tell me
that anyone can do it, regardless of what degree they have. Hogwash....
It's one thing to sit at home and teach your own child(ren), but enter
a classroom with 28 kids, 28 different personalities, 28 different ability
levels, 28 different sets of parents who think that their kid is only one in
class who deserves my attention. There is more to educating than most
parents know, more than just the 9:00-3:00 contact time.

I don't begrudge parents for homeschooling, more power to them. Just don't
equate that to what teachers do in the classroom..... Apples to apples, oranges to oranges.

 

[Kermit]

One thing though, don't tell me my job isn't "rocket science", or tell me
that anyone can do it, regardless of what degree they have. Hogwash....
It's one thing to sit at home and teach your own child(ren), but enter
a classroom with 28 kids, 28 different personalities, 28 different ability
levels, 28 different sets of parents who think that their kid is only one in
class who deserves my attention. There is more to educating than most
parents know, more than just the 9:00-3:00 contact time.

I don't begrudge parents for homeschooling, more power to them. Just don't
equate that to what teachers do in the classroom..... Apples to apples, oranges to oranges.

As a homeschooling mom, I agree completely with you. It absolutely takes special training to teach in a classroom setting. Homeschooling parents should take advantage of the amazing amount of resources available to them, but it doesn't take 4 years of college learning how to homeschool to be a homeschooler. Teachers are doing a completely different job that is highly specialized (and, IMHO, much harder).

Homeschooling parents can even choose, if they so desire, to not actually "teach" their children but rather just coordinate their educations. Some text books designed for homeschoolers are written to require minimal parental involvement, and if that's not enough, students can take classes over the Internet, on video tape, or broadcast on satellite. There are even schools for homeschoolers where people teach classes the parents don't feel comfortable teaching. The most important part of being a good homeschooler is that the parent has a desire to learn what it is children need to learn and then research how to provide that education.

 

[Planogirl]

As a parent myself, I respect all parents decisions regarding their kid's
education. As a public school teacher (4th grade), I would love to
have the same "choices" parents and private schools have. I have to keep
all 28 of them, regardless of tardiness, absences, poor work ethic, deadbeat
parents, etc. But, I knew that going in, so I live with it.
One thing though, don't tell me my job isn't "rocket science", or tell me
that anyone can do it, regardless of what degree they have. Hogwash....
It's one thing to sit at home and teach your own child(ren), but enter
a classroom with 28 kids, 28 different personalities, 28 different ability
levels, 28 different sets of parents who think that their kid is only one in
class who deserves my attention. There is more to educating than most
parents know, more than just the 9:00-3:00 contact time.

I don't begrudge parents for homeschooling, more power to them. Just don't
equate that to what teachers do in the classroom..... Apples to apples, oranges to oranges.

I agree! I was about to ask if teaching degrees should be abolished since no special education seems to be necessary according to some but you made this point very nicely.

We choose to support and supplement what the teachers do. We purposedly made up a list of communities with acceptable schools before we moved to this area. We decided that we already pay for education and we might as well use it if we can. By moving, we had the luxury of going into the right district though.

 

[Puffy2]

I agree! I was about to ask if teaching degrees should be abolished since no special education seems to be necessary according to some but you made this point very nicely

Just want to make it clear, when I said "elementary school isn't rocket science" I was referring to the content that HOME school families must cover - in no way was I referring to public / private school teachers or their ability or the magnitude of their job.

 

[graygables]

The parent is responsible for the child's education and not the school. You should be on top of what your child is able to do, cannot do, or does or does not want to do academically. The school's word isn't the final answer in all cases.

The moment you give up control to the government by being passive and accepting all grades, test scores and evaluations at face value--that is the moment that you have given up control and let the government take over.

Homeschooling or not--you must be active in your child's education. They will fare much much better if you do anyway and it is win win for you and your child.

Hear, hear! I was a high school English teacher (so degreed in English/Education, minor in History) and my DDs have gone to public school, homeschool, and now an e-school. I grew up in the military and lived in Germany for 7 years, attending DoD schools. I don't know how it was anywhere else, but getting out of school for vacations was a non-issue. The school supported travel and broadening one's horizons. In the 6th grade, I finished all my work by Christmas, so spent the rest of the year helping out in various areas.

When we moved back to the States, the travel continued, only it wasn't quite as accepted or supported and in high school, I became more and more aware of a certain "social engineering" going on. I was ready to graduate minus one English course at 16, but the school would not "allow" me to take it in summer school. My parents shrugged it off and I had a miserable senior year, taking English and a couple of other classes I had no interest in, but needed to fill up my day. I was allowed to come in an hour late and leave an hour early. By the end of the year, I was basically a full time office aid, when I could have been finishing my freshman year of college. That year also dampened my desire to even go to college and led to many poor decisions into my early 20s. Had my parent exerted some parental control, none of that would have happened.

When my own DDs started school, things were fine until a couple of boys threatened to kill one of my daughters (she had spoken out about the kind of music they were being forced to listen to in gym class...Korn in the 3rd grade) The principal suggested that I homeschool them as he was unwilling to do anything about the constant threats and bullying. My DD was physically ill from it, so DH and I decided to homeschool. We returned DDs to the 8th grade (our system requires that the advanced math track start in 8th grade, regardless of testing, former classes or whatever, no 8th grade, no advanced math). We had several problems with the administration and certain teachers who were on power trips. It seemed like every other day, there was something that stepped on parental toes or caused my DDs problems. A science teacher broke a project, then gave DD an F, a social studies teacher wanted to show an R-rated movie in its entirety, sex scenes and all, to 15yos without an acceptable opt-out. DD had broken her arm and missed several days with it, but we had also won a trip to WDW from Kellogg's and the plans had been made and couldn't be changed. The school denied her credit for her classes b/c she missed too many days, even with a doctor's slip. She was an honors student with As and Bs. After reminding them of my parental rights, she was reinstated, but I was asked at the same time to homeschool her history b/c the teacher didn't want to worry about lawsuits over R-rated movies in class. I did the next best thing and pulled her entirely.

We transferred her (and younger DDs enrolled) into a virtual charter school. They are schooled at home with a public school system. There is plenty of opportunity for social interaction with students from a variety of backgrounds. There are homeschoolers who do not consider us "homeschooling" because we are still "sold out" to the government, but I happen to think we have the best of both worlds. I can enhance the curriculum however I see fit, take them on vacations when it is best for our family, and expose them to a variety of experiences and people that they would never have sitting inside a traditional classroom. I do miss the time I used to have to myself. I miss being able to Christmas shop in the daytime, alone, with no sneaking required. I miss lunch with friends. BUT, I remember the excitement I felt when I taught them to take their first steps and the very same feeling happens every day when I can teach them a new word or concept and they "get it". It's also very nice to not have to be at the school several times a week dealing with someone's power trip.

That said, I also have a brother who homeschools his 6 children and they are VERY anti-government. He brags, "Sure, we have gun control in our 'school'...we teach the kids how to control 'em!" Ugh.

The No Child Left Behind is really becoming a problem in the public schools, too, and is being seen by many as government interference. It sounds good, but isn't. In fact, we may return to traditional homeschooling from what we are beginning to see even in the e-schools, but I'm willing to give it some time to see how it pans out.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

There are homeschoolers who do not consider us "homeschooling" because we are still "sold out" to the government, but I happen to think we have the best of both worlds.

Another way to look at homeschooling--it is parent directed education. No such thing as selling out--you pick what works for you.

 

[laurie31]

I was asked at the same time to homeschool her history b/c the teacher didn't want to worry about lawsuits over R-rated movies in class.

Well, then why show them!! To *15 year olds!!* Your whole post made me

In situations like that, public school is no longer a choice. I can't imagine any of those things going on at dd's school. I can't even begin to imagine what we'd do. (besides take dd out!)

Laurie

 

[Sleepy]

I grew up in the military and lived in Germany for 7 years, attending DoD schools. I don't know how it was anywhere else, but getting out of school for vacations was a non-issue. The school supported travel and broadening one's horizons. In the 6th grade, I finished all my work by Christmas, so spent the rest of the year helping out in various areas.

I am happy to report that the DOD schools still support broadening of interest among it's students.....as well as vacation time. My son is in a very intense ballet program where we live. The commute to downtown is hours long. I had to make the decision to request early release.....at noon each day. i asked for all 4 major subjects to be moved to the morning hours and drop all electives....including the "mandatory" PE My request was granted. Due to block scheduling, Thursdays he does not go to school at all. It was either this or I homeschool him...which I did not want to do.

 

[In a hurry]

I've been teaching for 10 years now, and I see a lot of government wierdness in the schools here. Don't even talk to me about NCLB! It is a stupid program that won't work. But no one listens to us. Madatory attendance. An IEP for every kid. More disabilities equal more funding. It's crazy!

I don't plan on homeschooling, but have all of the respect in the world for the people who do it. I didn't learn any magic codes for teaching in college. I learned theory and crowd management, mostly. I think it is a wide-spread knowledge about the world in general that helps me to be a good teacher!

 

[Happy05]

The parent is responsible for the child's education and not the school. You should be on top of what your child is able to do, cannot do, or does or does not want to do academically. The school's word isn't the final answer in all cases.

The moment you give up control to the government by being passive and accepting all grades, test scores and evaluations at face value--that is the moment that you have given up control and let the government take over.

Homeschooling or not--you must be active in your child's education. They will fare much much better if you do anyway and it is win win for you and your child.

I agree 100%!

I have been involved with my children's education from the very beginning and I know that has a lot to do with their success. I would never pretend that I have not had problems with teachers (this is NOT a perfect world--but gosh, wouldn't that be great?) For example, when my youngest son was in 1st grade he was showing signs of ADD. Well, by 2nd grade we went through all of the school's testing processes and they made a determination that he did indeed have ADD. Now, I have NEVER been one to want to give my children medication, but I followed the advice and for one week we tried the medication. I was not pleased with the results (he came home crying every day), but I had been willing to give it a try. I won't say it has been easy--but he is now in 9th grade and has been a straight A student for the past 5 years and he is in honors classes as well. In OUR situation, I know the path would have been so much worse had we left him on the medication and made excuses for his problems. I was not willing to just medicate him and give up! I must also give credit to the wonderful teachers who have encouraged him and have helped add to his confidence level.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

I want to clarify - because I was one of those who made the "rocket science" comment - I too was referring only to the curriculum/ability to teach your own kids at home. I clearly stated I respect teachers and what they do. I was not referring to teaching a class in a classroom setting - (I was responding to a specific poster and this person specifically meant teaching at home). I have great respect for what it takes to teach a classroom full of kids, deal with today's situations (parents, etc..), deal with the politics and conditions in your workplace, etc.

I have read on this topic and do not believe it takes a degree or special training to HS your kids - just a willingness to put in the time and the hard work (and from what I understand it IS hard work) and to seek out outside resources when you need them. While I am in awe and deeply respect teachers - I feel very much the same way about parents who have taken on the awesome responsibilty of HSing!