WWYD? DD's Friends and Their Lack of Education.

[Briarmom]

I don't want to get into the debate about homeschooling. I used to homeschool and I loved it. It was hard work, but worth it.

Well our schools must be better than the best because we have 96% of our kids pass the standardized tests for NCLB and for our state standards (2 different tests). Our school does NOT teach to the test. They do spend 2 weeks before the test teaching some test taking strategies during English class--which is helpful for every test so not a bad thing to do.

You are very lucky. They start taking the tests in 3rd grade here. My DD is a 1st grader, and they spend time EVERY DAY teaching to a test she will take in 2 1/2 years. It says 'Preparing for the QQQQ' across her worksheets. Sad.

There are many, many, many, many parents that don't give a rip what their kids do for school, homeschooled or public schools.

I think this is the message that gets lost in this argument. There are good and bad parents in every group.

 

[C.Ann]

Your statement as a generalization is false--perhaps in sometimes it is true. But there are some states that are strict and there are others with a happy medium that holds homeschoolers accountable without as much strictness as your require.

Perhaps you should research the laws in all 50 states before commenting.

Perhaps you can even look at the vastly different educational requirements in each state--and note that even Public schools have different requirements including compulsary ages of attendance and high school graduation requirements.

Your attitude is quite condescending for situations that you have neither experienced nor researched thoroughly. Anectdotal evidence is not sufficient enough to prove your thesis.

I am not sure what your hangup is on homeschoolers and "proof". I have to maintain a portfolio. Are you suggesting that I might have reason to "lie"?

That's pretty harsh. About as harsh as that teachers really can't "prove" the student did their own homework. Test or no test--it doesn't "prove" a child actually "did" the work or those suprisingly way advanced for their years science fair projects.

I have to agree with this post.. A number of years ago, my stepson's former wife decided to homeschool their two boys when they moved to another state.. There were strict requirements that had to be met and regular testing to prove that the boys were at least at the same level as other students of their age and grade..

When they were tested, they ranked considerably above the public school students, but I can see how an outsider looking in might have thought their mom wasn't teaching them in a traditional way due to her work schedule outside of the home.. (She was in another state 4 days a week..) Much of their schooling was done at odd hours; outside of the home; when PS students were on vacation; during the summer; etc..

Both boys did extremely well and both had no problems being accepted into the colleges of their choice.. The younger boy did attend PS for his senior year - for the social aspects only - and was able to take "fluff" classes to fill the day because all of his educational needs had already been met..

I would think it would be very hard to judge what kind of job another parent is doing with homeschooling if you weren't actually present in the home 24/7.. Kids tend to say things that aren't true - just to get a rise out of their friends or their friends parents - so I think I would need a lot more evidence to go on than what some people have stated here.. Of course that's only my opinion..