Homeschooling Headache

Termlimits.org ^ | 9/19/03 | Jacob

[pabianice]

Big problem. They're doing too well.

Cassandra Stevenson of Connecticut has just started college. She's 15. Her sister, Samantha, is 19 — and has a master's degree in astrophysics.

"Homeschooling is more like college than a public or a private school is," says Cassandra. "You learn what you want to learn and what you need to learn. The curriculum is fitted to you."

That's exceptional. But your average homeschooler still does pretty well. A National Home Education Research Institute study found that the typical homeschooler's academic achievement easily tops that of the typical public-school student. The Institute estimates that as many as 2.2 million children now benefit from homeschooling.

See the problem? Robert Rader does. He's the executive director of the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education. Call it Status Quo United for short. Rader agrees that "parents have the right to educate their children at home." On the other hand, he worries that "children don't always get the rigorous structure and up-to-date educational techniques, which are applied in public schools."

Uh, hello. It's that so-called "rigorous structure" that parents and kids are escaping from! Mr. Rader doesn't seem to realize that he and other educators might learn from the homeschoolers — if effective education is really their goal.

If you want process, call Mr. Rader. He'll process your kids for you. If you want results — well, a great many families have figured out how to get those . . . at home. Mine too.

This is Common Sense. I'm Paul Jacob.

[SpookBrat]

LOL I read your profile and laughed. I had to share my picture. My sister and I found that poor "sleeping" armadillo on the side of the road with beer bottles all around him. We stuck one in his hands and took the picture. It's a big family joke now and brings back lots of laughs. That was a great day.

Sorry for changing the subject on this nice thread, but I had to say "hello" to you.

Have a good day.

[Chad Fairbanks]

You have a good day too. Thanks for the pic!

[TalBlack]

Private individuals can do a thing better than the government?

There's a newsflash for ya'.

[SpookBrat]

Well, I never made it to in-school suspension but did a lot of skipping. I went to a quiet place in the woods down by the Guadalupe river and read my books. My parents gave me a reading list in which I had to have all the classics read by the time I graduated. I remember growing up getting in trouble for having a bad attitude every time I said I hated school. I figure 13 years of my life were wasted being locked up in a prison. It was a torturous existence. It kept me from my passions and it kept me from my family. All the knowledge I have kept close to my heart, I got from my family, my grandmother, my books, and church. School is a joke!

Now when my kids say they hate school, I say, "Cool...so do I! Let's break out the Chemistry set and try to blow up the house". Homeschooling is fun.

Speaking of Chemistry.....I made a 36 on my final exam and that was with cheating. I should have sat by someone smarter. I so did not get Chemistry, but I get it now. The text books were useless. Real life is where it’s all at.

[SpookBrat]

Hey there. We seem to be following each other around these days. You are reading the same things I'm reading.

[SpookBrat]

Thanks for the ping.

[TalBlack]

I smell GEVALIA..gevaliagevaliagevalia..GEVALIA

[Chad Fairbanks]

Ah yes... better living though chemistry - Luckily, I never blew up the house... I give my kids reading assignments too. We also work on algebra and such, which she hasn't gotten to in school yet, but she's been bored and unchallenged so we are challenging her :0)

[SpookBrat]

Thanks for the thread.

"On the other hand, he worries that "children don't always get the rigorous structure and up-to-date educational techniques, which are applied in public schools."

His worries are unwarranted and not welcome. I really don't appreciate the arrogance of others "concerned" about my children. Up-to-date educational techniques aren't working, btw. LOL Duh!

Have you read any of John Gatto's books? He says public education cannot be reformed. He says throw in the towel. Give it up. Removing children from their families never worked and it will never work.

Of course, I guess Democrats can say it has worked just fine for them. They have millions of uneducated robots keeping them in power now.

[SpookBrat]

Do you use Saxon? How old is your daughter? We'll start Algebra next year.

I never did well in science class in school, which is weird because I loved my rocks and plant samples. I was always doing experiments outside. It's enough to convince me that science is best learned outside and "doing it".

Rocket kits are coming next. Have you done that yet?

[cyborg]

Why great minds thinking alike... sharing a mutual love and concern for kids :-)

[decimon]

That was part of my hubby's statement. Our local Community College will allow 10th graders to attend. Our Charter School ends in 9th grade. He says they will not be mature enough to go to college.

College courses and/or degrees can be had through distance learning or "testing out."

[Woahhs]

That was part of my hubby's statement... He says they will not be mature enough to go to college.

Speaking from experience, your hubby's contention is falacious. Try taking a class or two with these more "mature" post highschool students, and you will see what I mean in the starkest of terms. If anything, their increased arrogance and newly emancipated standing makes them LESS prone to appreciate instruction, not more.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Actually, I use my college text books that I never turned back in for cash. Figured they'd come in handy someday.

So, what happened was, she was getting bored with her current math and wanted to know why she need to keep doing that stupid stuff over and over and over again, so I pulled out the algebra text and we went from there...

We do a lot of experiments here at home. I have, in the backyard, and unfinished rocket - almost 15 feet in length. many of the electronic components are on my desk in my office here, which includes a GPS, an altimeter (you can get parts for making your own online), and what I plan to do is hook up a digital video cam to it... So, we do a lot of soldering and wiring and such.

Someday, we'll head out to the dry lakes and launch this baby. Need to get my hands on an O-class engine, though ;0)

[Gal.5:1]

Education at home bump. My kids love unabridged audio books (literature and history), hands on science, art, music and languages. They love to write stories, draw maps, collect nature, care for "pets in a jar" and build things. That's just in the afternoon.

[bd476]

"We do a lot of experiments here at home..."

"...So, we do a lot of soldering and wiring and such."

Recently during Mars' relatively close approach to Earth's orbit, I looked into making our own telescope.

I was told that whatever amount of money invested in making a telescope (grinding the mirror, buying component parts, etc.) that we would still come out with at least a telescope worth twice as much as the original investment. I hesitated on the time commitment of 6 months plus.

Since building a rocket sounds much more complicated, did you ever consider making your own telescope and if so, what was the outcome?

Also, in your opinion, what is the earliest age a parent can teach the hazardous art of soldering? After putting together an FM kit radio recently, I have a feeling one brilliant young child is going to want to tackle a more complicated receiver project next.

Words of wisdom, caution?

Thanks in advance.

[narses]

Ping.

[narses]

Hubby wins, for now. The numbers 30 years ago were 90/10, they are now AT LEAST 75/25 and probably 70/30.