SEVERSON: Most of these kids do have opportunities to socialize, but often only with other home schoolers.
This just cracks me up! A pointy-head PS administrator made this exact point on the homeschool edition of the Dr. Phil show recently.
Of course, there's no concern that public school kids only socialize and interact within the petri dish of the public school. And we all know that age-segregated life is "real life."
Severson should have realized that the comment is absurd, especially if the children go to church. The vast majority of the population institutionalizes their children in government schools, including Christians. The vast majority of children that homeschooled children interact with in the neighborhood, church, music activities, etc. are going to be public school kids. You have to make a real effort to get in some socializing with homeschooled children. Of course, the main point is that homeschooled children interact and socialize with children of all types and adults.
In my more uncharitable moments, I am convinced that education as it exists today is designed specifically to keep the student stupid and compliant, essentially brainwashed. I learned to read at a young age, and more importantly, learned to LOVE to read. The "consensus" also today seems to be that "facts, dates, and rote memorization" have no role, and I vehmently disagree. It's just criminal what's happening in the schools, even worse it's mandatory. Look for any sort of homeschooling to be criminalized. Bank on it.