[Corin Stormhands]

When I said on another thread today that we were comfortable with our public schools where I live, someone said to me: Your fooling yourselves:)

Here's what I said over there:

No. We really aren't. Our son is ADHD and we are very involved in all aspects of his school work and his school life. The majority of our school board members are committed Christians (and conservative Republicans). These are elected positions. Until last year's Governor's race, I was not represented by a single Democrat, from dog catcher on up to the White House. We are the most solid (or perhaps second most solid) Republican County in Virginia.

And, most importantly, our parents are involved in the public schools.

I admire and applaud homeschoolers. But that's not what is best for our son.

Let me tell you a bit about the atmosphere here. I've shared this story elsewhere on FR. Last spring, two local high school boys (one from our church) were killed on their way to pick up another friend for a Young Life Bible Study. It had an incredible impact on the high school community. That Wednesday night, our youth group canceled their regular meeting (they have about 100-150 on a regular basis) and held a prayer and communion service. Over 1,200 kids showed up. Since the funeral, our youth group has added about another 100 senior high kids. And they are solidly supported by the community.

My son is 13, but he "gets it." He's preaparing to go on choir tour in two weeks and will sing at Ground Zero and Time Square. He has a shirt that he wears regularly to school that says "I want to be like Adam *****" (the boy from our church). I told him he couldn't wear it unless he was able to explain why. He can. And does.

In another community, we'd private school or homeschool in a heartbeat. But not here.

The main thing is continued parental involvement. We have that here. It may not always be that way. But for now, it is.

I think you homeschoolers are great. I also know that my wife's temperment and my son's temperment, when left together all day with the intent of teaching/learning, would land us on the nightly news or the Springer show.

Ironically, my wife will be teaching at a homeschool academy in the fall.

[HairOfTheDog]

I guess parents are involved here too, so I am not seeing it as THAT broken, ie, not too late JenB. My very Christian friend (A Baptist book burner ;~D) goes to her son's school and participates a few times a week in class, along with other parents that are also there. Her son is 7. She is voicing her opinion on the curriculum, and pushing for inclusion of her faith in the classroom. It is working for her... The principle she is talking to was our 5th grade teacher. (Mr. Egabroad Penny) There are issues, but she is raising them. If she wasn't there who would get heard?