Posted on 07/20/2005 12:13:49 PM PDT by Little Bill
I know of a few single/divorced moms who homeschool their children. They do a good job, too.
The only problem they seem to have is with their ex-husbands... when those ex-husbands aren't homeschool-supportive, they take the mothers to court to push the children into school, even though the children are learning at advanced levels at home.
We all make typos in our online messages from time to time. But, making spelling errors in a thank you note - when you're the top 4% of your class - is another matter altogether.
Being one of those people who others came to when they wanted to get started homeschooling and having watched their success and failures.......Your statistic is wrong!
Most have a special need (bad schools, kids not fitting in, teacher wanting to put kid on drugs, kid failing etc.) or a faith that back up the reason for homeschooling in the first place that seems to keep them going through the first year, and after that most having seen the change in their kids and family do not go back.
Really, homeschooling is something that the vast majority of parents CAN do. Parents just don't realize how easy and rewarding it is, or they simply believe their children will benefit more from traditional schooling, and that's fine, too. Bottom line, it should be the parents' decision.
I understand that homeschool proponents are going to cite test scores, etc. etc. However, regardless of how many days the parent has failed to get the child to school, regardless of of how many times the family has moved in a school year for one reason or another (the reasons don't always reflect positively on the parents), regardless of whether or not the child was up all night because mom and dad were taken to jail at three in the morning, whether or not there was any food in the house, whether or not Mom got up to make breakfast for the kids, etc. etc. If those kids are enrolled in your school on test day, their performance is counted against your school. Yes, their are schools that do not make the grade. It's not every one of them, and it's not always entirely the fault of the people who are trying to educate the kids. This is not a knock at homeschooling. In many circumstances, it is a wonderful decision. However, there are parents who have no intention of educating their children who take them out of school because they don't care about their child's education. In those cases, it shouldn't be allowed. Homeschool if you want, but make sure you actually are educating the children.
Oh please. Give us a source. This fall will be our fourth year homeschooling (we've homeschooled from the beginning - oldest is now 8) and the past 3 years have included a very rambunctious toddler turned 4 year old boy and a baby who didn't sleep the night through for 2 solid years. Meanwhile our daughter, the 8 year old, could out-read any peers in our local public school and is more math-advanced than their requirements (according to our public school teacher friend). I realize that this is anecdotal but my point is, by and large, homeschooling parents want the BEST for their kids, and do whatever is necessary to make it happen. Most don't give up in the first year, because what got them there in the first place doesn't allow it. So cite a source for your claim.
As a scientist, I'm concerned that schools aren't teaching basic math and science skills, but most of the parents I know are even less able to handle math.
There are so many resources out there these days - remote classes, science labs in co-ops, DVD programs, early college classes - a diligent parent needs only to know how to facilitate advanced learning (and learn along with the child, if need be!), and chances are, the homeschool student fares far better as a result.
I don't see that as being a solution for everyone though...
Of course not. All kids are different. But the public school system for the most part is failing our kids, so the alternatives are looking better to more parents every year.
I have been homeschooling my children for just five years. But, in that time period, through my efforts to keep my children "well-socialized", I have met homeschoolers from just about all walks of life. I've known Christian, Jewish, and secular homeschoolers, unschoolers, you name it. Married parents, divorced parents, single parents.
I've also heard all the horror stories that the Mainstream Media and public school proponents would have us all believe. Yes, I'm sure there are abusive or neglectful parents who homeschool (though I haven't met one in person yet), just as there are abusive or neglectful parents who send their children to school (I've met plenty of them in my lifetime).
But, what you must understand - and I do realize you yourself could be a teacher - is that public school is a big government program, and like all big government programs, its motive is to fulfill a need and to increase its size by convincing the public the need is bigger.
So, they're always looking for something to use in criticizing us. First, it was academics. But, when our kids excelled academically, it was socialization. But, our kids are well-socialized, so they're looking for more reasons.
Many of the homeschool families I know tried public school first (as did I). I even know teachers and other public school employees who homeschool their children. Many do so because their kids were being beaten-up/assaulted/terrorized in school. Others do so because the schools were insisting on drugging their children (Ritalin, etc.). Still others have children with learning issues that weren't being addressed by the schools.
Every parent I know flew into a panic when removing their child(ren) from school. They doubted their own abilities. But, what they found out was that their children got better results at home - without a quote-unquote "certified teacher".
Here's why: School time is filled mostly with wasted time. Kids are sorted into classes based on ages/birthdates, and then they're taught an established set of lessons on a particular schedule. As it turns out, kids don't learn well that way. People learn more when they're interested in a subject, when they're learning independently at their own pace, and often that pace is quicker than the public school's pace. On the other hand, when a child needs to work on a subject at a slower pace, he/she can do so more comfortably at home, catching up later, without being labeled as "learning disabled" for the rest of their lives.
I have three children, and they do very well. At one point, I was fighting with our school to keep one child in, and now I'm glad I was pushed into homeschooling.
Regards.
As I said, it is often the right decision.
ping
What would you...consider "qualified"? There have been cases of illiterate public school teachers...There have also been reports of teachers not teaching at all. GASP!!! lol!! Please direct me to your stats...concerning your last sentence above.
Additionally, it generally takes two incomes to make ends meet in any kind of decent standard of living. Not everyone can afford for one parent to stay home to do this. Also, the public school systems are not all bad.
Really???? It takes two incomes to make a decent standard of living???? My personal experience has been that many folks would "like" to HS...but they don't want to give up their 3rd car,the "boat"...or their two fly-away vacations a year. BTW, define "generally"....because that sounds like it is what you would "like" to believe, OR..what you have been conditioned to think.
I understand that homeschool proponents are going to cite test scores, etc. etc. However, regardless of how many days the parent has failed to get the child to school, regardless of of how many times the family has moved in a school year for one reason or another (the reasons don't always reflect positively on the parents), regardless of whether or not the child was up all night because mom and dad were taken to jail at three in the morning, whether or not there was any food in the house, whether or not Mom got up to make breakfast for the kids, etc. etc. If those kids are enrolled in your school on test day, their performance is counted against your school. Yes, their are schools that do not make the grade. It's not every one of them, and it's not always entirely the fault of the people who are trying to educate the kids. This is not a knock at homeschooling. In many circumstances, it is a wonderful decision. However, there are parents who have no intention of educating their children who take them out of school because they don't care about their child's education. In those cases, it shouldn't be allowed. Homeschool if you want, but make sure you actually are educating the children.
Okay...okay I see now. It isn't my wish to polarize you...as it's become clear that you more than likely are a public school teacher..and take it personal when your profession takes criticism. I understand that...been there, done that, albeit a different profession. I would like to extend a suggestion to you though....If you are going to debate the issues...please be factual, be objective, and be prudent in your arguments. I will attempt the same.
Thanks-
I am being factual.
Okay....give me some sources.
The NEA doesn't count.
Quote from your post:
"...there are parents who have no intention of educating their children who take them out of school because they don't care about their child's education. In those cases, it shouldn't be allowed."
But, how would the state determine if a parent is not educating a child or not? Your post indicates that you think the state should decide what a child should learn and at what age.
Many of us have had to deal with the public school system, and we know from personal experience they'll look for any excuse to claim we're not doing the job, even when our kids are working at advanced levels.
Gotta laugh with you there. I stopped short of saying it myself, but you speak the truth on that one. I know people who have almost NOTHING to their name, and are homeschooling. And doing an excellent job.
I don't know if the poster is a teacher or not, but there's no reason for teachers to feel defensive. We do book our children into outside classes whenever possible. It's just not necessary to have them in class 6 hours/day for 5 days/week, at the cost of $10,000/year in tax dollars per student.
I am not saying that there should be no homeschooling. However, I am saying that there should be some kind of check to make sure that the parent isn't simply removing the child from school and letting him sit in front of the TV all day. I hate to tell you this, but the state is the only one who is going to be able to do that. All government is not bad. Yes, our government isn't perfect. But it has been my experience that homeschool proponents will not accept that not everyone is capable of homeschooling. Many parents are capable. Illiterate parents who barely read and write themselves are not capable of teaching. Homeschooling is right for many, but absolutely wrong for some. If we allow children to be taken out of school with no assurance that they will be educated, then the irresponsible parents will take their children out of school and rely on the Cartoon Network to educate their kids.
Responsible parents like you will of course do a fine job. I am also sure that there are many like you. As I have said before, I am not knocking homeschooling. In many cases, it is a wonderful way for children to learn. It certainly should be an option. I don't think I can assess it more fairly than that.
bump
My children go to public school and are learning at advanced levels also. Homeschooling is often a great choice. It isn't however, the end-all be-all of human existence. My hat is off to anyone who wishes to do it, and is capable of doing it. Many do an excellent job. Some do not. It should be an option for any parent who is capable of doing it. Not all public school systems are bad. In fact, many are excellent. I do not knock anyone who is willing to try to homeschool their children. I wish homeschool proponents wouldn't place all public schools in the same boat.
Under federal law, all teachers must be highly qualified in their field. Otherwise, they cannot teach any longer. The process will be complete within a year. This is every state.
By the way, if that coach is teaching algebra, he must be certified.
I didn't say public schools were "bad". The whole system just isn't very effective, and kids can get lost there.
And, for the record, I didn't say teachers were bad, either. There are many fine teachers dedicated to their profession. Teachers are absolutely necessary. But, again, they're working in a system where they have to teach 20 or so kids exactly the same lessons at the same time. There are a lot of teachers in my family, and I used to have a job dealing with teachers, too. They have a hard job, especially in today's world with all the accusations and lawsuits. (Of course, there are some who aren't so good).
Why did the father become mad at the school? And, when you say "running the streets," what do you mean? Was the kid drug-dealing, getting into trouble, etc.? (I know plenty of kids "in school" who are doing that. ;-) ).
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