[Sam's Army]

This was a letter to the editor of a central Florida newspaper. For those that seem to believe that homeschooling will cause detriment to social skills, here's another perspective.

[Sam's Army]

ping

[ladyjane]

That was supposedly in a public school? Why do I doubt it.

[Waterleak]

Hmm, no talking, uniforms, strict discipline - sounds like a 19th Century British boarding school. Maybe kids will learn something now.

[Waterleak]

Hmm, no talking, uniforms, strict discipline - sounds like a 19th Century British boarding school. Maybe kids will learn something now.

[NZerFromHK]

Ms Fran, does your grandchild attend Hong Kong Sze Yap Commercial and Industrial Association Chan Nam Chong Memorial College? Schools in Hong Kong are very much like that but even they allow chatterings during lunchtime.

[WestTexasWend]

If you think lunchtime's bad, you should be there when they study butterfly ballots...

[SoftballMominVA]

I'm just not seeing a real problem here. The students ate, read and lined up orderly. What would have been better? Students yelling, throwing food, cussing teachers while wearing skimpy clothing?

Sounds like a school with a clue of how to keep order and have an environment where learning can take place.

It would have been nice if the author could have stayed a full day and commented on what went on the rest of the day.

[MindBender26]

This does not pass the smell test. No names, no specifics, impossible to enforce rules (no talking in rest rooms)

If the writer has a complaint, take it to the School Board.

[tutstar]

LOL

[aruanan]

I sure didn't see much socialization going on there.

Of course there's socialization going on there. They're locking up large groups of mostly clueless youngsters with marginal adult contact and thinking that something will wonderfully and spontaneously arise from the emotional premordial guk. Better that the kids spend most of their time with adults learning how to behave like an adult since that is how they're going to be spending the rest of their lives.

[doc30]

I used to live in Lakeland and it is very true. The schools are strict, mainly to curb discipline problems. The issue is that there really isn't any socialization at all. No talking during lunch and there is no recess or unstructured time at all. I think these policies are in place to make the schools look like they are concentrating on academics, but it is a facade. I saw the homework graded by the teachers and they couldn't tell correct answers for incorrect.

[Osage Orange]

Hehehehe......

I like people who write "touche" letters like that. I'm quite sure it will cause some Leftist NEA members to wring their hands...and swill some Maalox.

While I'd guess the letter writer...embellished the story...I still like them.

[the invisib1e hand]

i've yet to meet a homeschooled child who isn't a perfect lady or gentleman and very poised and confident around peers and adults alike.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

I understand what you mean. I homeschool my children. The "poor socialization" argument is what many people use to degrade homeschooling.

BUT the point is that public school children are no better "socialized", nor do public school children have any greater opportunities to socialize than homeschool children do.

Since the school restricts interactions between children, they are not really socializing except for stolen moments at lockers or in the hallways and riding the bus to and fro.

I understand why the school must try to control the population, and I do not have an argument with parents for thinking that is best for their child.

I have chosen otherwise for my family.

[longtermmemmory]

The whole "socialization" argument and accompanying studies were developed out of the need to have women feel good about dumping their children at daycare for someone else to raise while pursuing a career. (motherhood by proxie etc.)

That was later exended to public schools after the homeschooling children started outperforming the public school students in a public way.

Socialization in not "socialization" it is indoctrinated to be pro-leftist.

[bobsatwork]

Can't speak about public schools in Lakeland, but here in Delaware: Uniforms? No. Talking during lunch? Yes. Socialization? Yes. Learning stuff? No. Delaware also has a large number of excellent private schools, all with waiting lists.

[ChildOfThe60s]

Seeing as how I live here in Lakeland and have seen first hand what is described here, let me enlighten you folks out there. It's worse than described here. Considerably.

Because of this we homeschooled. Our daughter did go to 1 year of middle school and 3 years of HS (she graduated 2 years early with full scholarship to private college-na na na na to the NEA).

The so called socialization is sickening. It is regimentation [at the elementary level] to a degree that would offend a DI. I could write pages listing the scary policies and specific incidents that I saw first hand.

As far as homeschoolers getting socialized? Well, I think my daughter is very well socialized [major grin here].

[fso301]

What Florida public school requires uniforms?

[aberaussie]

bttt