Arizona: Stricter homeschooling regulations in the future?

EV Tribune ^ | By Jackie Leatherman

[Diva Betsy Ross]

"Kind of going along to what I said above, why not have each state have a committee comprised of quality homeschoolers who set the (not strict) standards for homeschoolers? Would that be acceptable?"

In theory, no...but I could accept it, yes.

[JenB]

Never. My homeschool style might not meet the "expected" style. Maybe the board thinks kids should start learning a language in third grade and I don't. Maybe they think we should do world history in fifth grade and I don't. The entire point of homeschooling is that you don't have to do what other people tell you to do.

[cinives]

I completely understand your point. But, consider this. In Russia, the kids go to school for no more than 10 years (before University) and the literacy rate is 100%. Here, the kids go to school for 12 years and the literacy rate is about 60%. You have to ask yourself, accountable to WHOM ?

I would love to make ALL schooling accountable - why should public schools be allowed to graduate kids on the basis of seat time, not achievement ? Why should any child, even in public schools, get to 4th grade without reading skills ?

More importantly, why do we allow the schools to use failed methods to teach reading ?

So - back to the original question - if the school folks don't have high standards in their own schools, why should mine be accountable to them ?

[MEGoody]

But I don't want to see the bad elements use it as cover.

I don't either, but there are already laws on the books to deal with abuse and neglect. We don't want to over-regulated the parents who are doing a good job at home-schooling just to catch the 'bad element' that are already dealt with under other laws.

[Mrs. P]

No, you and I don't agree on much of this at all! I don't think kids need all this testing that you are talking about. It is intrusive and invasive. If there is an obvious problem, or if a parent who is home schooling notices that the kid isn't learning, then the parents can have it investigated. Most of the problems kids have in public school are because the square kid doesn't fit in some of their round holes. They might be perfectly normal kids but they don't fit in a classroom. They need help, but usually it's just a caring parent to home school them. Nothing fancy or professional like a medical center evaluation. Your comments reek of outside intervention and mandatory testing.

I hope if you do home school you come to realize how much the education system wants control of your child and wants to keep you out of your child's life. It is really a power struggle, you just can't see it yet.

[Osage Orange]

I know that homeschoolers in California have to take that, and it seems reasonable.

We didn't have to take yearly tests..when we lived there.

Maybe things have changed since then....? Maybe and more likely...it's district related. Back then...some district superintendents thought all the kids in their district..belonged to them. LOL!!

[Osage Orange]

The parent doesn't really know how to compare academics with other kids, and thinks it's normal for a child to have trouble reading in first/second grade. If the kid never has any testing, then the parent may not know that the child is in trouble until it is way toooo late to do something about it.

Wel jus' shoot da hind leg off my dog!! I no nuttin..ands me barefooted wifey no not nuttin e'der.

It B a skunky wundur we's lerned dem chiltdens...anytang at alls.

[luckystarmom]

You know, I am trying to have a reasonable discussion about this, and you are just being really nasty.

I did not attack anyone, but I have been thoroughly attacked on this one. People have not even debated reasonably, but people have been nasty and tacky.

Unfortunately, I have met a number of poor parents, and I feel very sorry for their kids. It's in the best interest of this country to help children become successful, and we should be able to reasonably debate this subject.

However, many people on this group are it's my way or your wrong. All public schools are bad. Homeschooling is the only way to educate your children.

I'm know there are good and bad public schools and private schools. I know that not everyone should homeschool their kids. I know that some who homeschool are great, and some are not. It would be nice to have an honest discussion about how to help kids who do fall through the cracks.

[Osage Orange]

You know, I am trying to have a reasonable discussion about this, and you are just being really nasty.

Nasty? Ha! I was intending to inject some humor into the discussion....As it appeared to me you needed to maybe laugh at yourself a bit....as maybe your approach wasn't too conducive to good spirited erotern. Nor is your reply....but hey..maybe it's just me.

Your quote that I originally responded to follows:

"The parent doesn't really know how to compare academics with other kids, and thinks it's normal for a child to have trouble reading in first/second grade.";