Homeschooling goes boom in America - 74 percent increase in number of families teaching....

World Net Daily ^ | January 05, 2009 | By Chelsea Schilling

[GonzoII]

A homeschooling movement is sweeping the nation – with 1.5 million children now learning at home, an increase of 75 percent since 1999.

The Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics reported homeschooling has risen by 36 percent in just the last five years.

"There's no reason to believe it would not keep going up," NCES statistician Gail Mulligan told USA Today.

A 2007 survey asked parents why they choose to homeschool and allowed them to provide several reasons. The following are the most popular responses:

[TalonDJ]

The “socialization” bit is one I find seriously offensive

Growing up that was always the number one question I fielded from people asking about homeschooling. Now, decades later, that one is STILL the number one people ask. My preferred response to 'what about socialization' is 'why would I want to be a socialist?' with a nice deadpan delivery. Mostly all I ever got from that were blank looks. For the ones that laughed at it I had to argue no further. And for the ones that responded with a blank look I knew no amount of explaining would be worth my time.

[GBA]

United States Department of Education was created by the Department of Education Organization Act (Public Law 96-88), signed into law by President Jimmy Carter on October 17, 1979 and began operating on May 4, 1980.

More great stuff from Jimmy.

[SoConPubbie]

Wouldn’t it be better to find religious school you believe in? It can’t be optimal to isolate kids.

You need to read post #7.

[Gabz]

All the homeschool kids that I know are very polite, and actually can and will talk to adults who speak to them.

Many folks, including homeschooling parents, think my daughter is homeschooled for just those reasons. Even the little old ladies at Church avoid discussing politics/current events with my 10year old.

[goldi]

Or “I don’t want the life sucked out of my kid.”

[longtermmemmory]

sorry but the good homeschooling parents are saintly at least.

The do deserve credit for being able to ensure their children recieve a superior education. (non homeschooler here)

I remember the “establishment teacher complex” used to ridicule homeschoolers. Now they seek to compartmentalize the homeschoolers away from the inferior public school product. (see oprah winfre’s speech contest where the homeschoolers are shoved into a category to prevent them from taking all the prizes)

[Gabz]

You’re not telling me anything I don’t know. My point was that even though my daughter attends public school, I find that question posed to homeschoolers to be offensive. If I find it offensive, I can only imagine how you must find it.

I agree with your response to the issue of socialization, I really like it. Except when she is in school, I am in charge of my daughter’s social settings. So far I have had no problems, I will re-evaluate if I start having any problems.

[Gabz]

(see oprah winfre’s speech contest where the homeschoolers are shoved into a category to prevent them from taking all the prizes)

I hadn't seen that, but it doesn't surprise me.

I did notice last year, at the regional science fair, the 3 winners at the high school level were 2 homeschoolers and 1 from a Christian school. The public high schools were rather underrepresented as compared to the public elementary and middle schools. The private and homeschoolers had far fewer entries in the lower grades.

[Netizen]

Above all other responses, parents cited providing religious and moral instruction as the most important factor in the decision to teach their children at home (36 percent).

It's nice to know that the religious right is growing.

[longtermmemmory]

I remember when parents sent their children to private schools to specifically AVOID the socialization taught by public shools.

Remember when brown vs board of education was ruled? “white flight” was accused but the fact of the matter is those parents that fled to someplace other than public schools had their fears justified.

This debate is not about to homeschool or not to homeschool, this debate is really about the UTTER LACK OF QUALITY in the public schools.

The teacher’s union can not conceal the fact that public schools as a rule are a complete failure.

[Netizen]

Good post. Now reverse it to represent publicly schooled kids, as not all public schools are bad and people on both sides of the issue are using broad brushes ti denigrate the other side,

[vpintheak]

Bound to be stopped by Rats! These children are not beig brainwashed properly!

[SkyDancer]

"Do you have any of your own to homeschool yet?

I've just started my career in aviation so right now getting married and having children is not something that I'm contemplating ....

[SkyDancer]

From what I’ve read in the news, public schools are so PC the kids are wrapped in Saran ... I read a few days ago where some kid was handing out cough drops and they suspended her for dealing drugs (!!!???) - no thank you ...

There are too many horror stories that have been in the news about public ‘institutions of learning’ .....

[Gabz]

UH OH —— you’ve just done yourself in with the “kill the public schools” crowd.

I totally agree with you about the extremes and use of broadbrushes. I have always supported the homeschoolers against the broadbrushing against them, but in return I have gotten little support from them against the broadbrushing of the public schooled kids. In fact many of those I have defended have included me in their broadbrush condemnation of people whose children attend public school.

[Netizen]

Don’t believe everything you read.

Our son will be graduating from a public school this summer and will be attending the Honors College at Michigan State University, and was offered the chance to study under a professor. Good grades and high scores can come out of both types of educations, if the student applies themselves.

[Netizen]

I totally agree with you about the extremes and use of broadbrushes. I have always supported the homeschoolers against the broadbrushing against them, but in return I have gotten little support from them against the broadbrushing of the public schooled kids. In fact many of those I have defended have included me in their broadbrush condemnation of people whose children attend public school.

Yes, I've noticed, too. As you and I both know though, for a good education, one needs an open mind. ;)

[SkyDancer]

"Don’t believe everything you read."

If it shows up on:

News Busters, Patriot Room, Drudge, World Net Daily, etc.

I tend to believe them especially when reading the article first hand in the newspaper located in that town or city.

[Gabz]

There are too many horror stories that have been in the news about public ‘institutions of learning’ .....

That's because bad news sells and good stuff is immaterial.

There are lots of really bad public schools, no doubt or argument with that fact. However, there is also good in the public schools which rarely gets published and will NEVER be acknowledged by a certain contingent of public school haters.

I have a note here that came home today from my daughter's TaG (talented and gifted) teacher about her being invited to participate in a literature and vocabulary enrichment program. According to my daughter not every child in her TaG class received the note, and there are only 12 children in the TaG class.

What you read about public schools in the news is generally skewed against the public schools. Even the best of them is not perfect, but not all of them are the cesspools the anti-public school contingent wishes to project them as.

[stevio]

Bump to the homeschoolers!