Some in Homeschooling Movement Support "De-Schooling"

www.homeschoolzone.com ^

[Izzy Dunne]

The education system in USA has descended into and has become racketeering.

I have read that the original purpose of public schooling, during and after the Industrial Revolution, was to prepare people for a life of factory work.
The ability to conform, meet deadlines, follow the leader, don't ask questions, was prized. Thinking for yourself was unnecessary, and actually detrimental.

They have done that job well.

[This Just In]

We've educated our children at home for a number of years. Our family has been involved in ISP's that have a number of home educated families in two states. I have yet to see any children who are as poorly educated as the number you have mentioned, and this include other home educated families that were not involve in our ISP's.

This is not to suggest that our experience automatically proves that neglected children are not out their in society, but I must admit the number of home educated students whom you've trained seems awfully high. Quite interesting.

[This Just In]

their=there

[Let's Roll]

Sounds like my sister in law. The real reason she home-schooled her son was so she didn't have to get out of bed and take him to school.

Dad travelled 3/4 of the time.

Boy in mid 20s now and there is no college he can get into. Drifts through life, underwritten by his parents.

Do I hope that my children homeschool my grandchildren? ABSOLUTELY! But ... you gotta be committed.

[luckystarmom]

I don't homeschool, but we are seriously considering this.

One of my daughters would do math, and the other would read some stuff on the computer. However, I think mostly they would sit around and do art projects.

I think my son could sit on the computer playing games all day long for many months if I let him.

We thinking of homeschooling my daughters, and I've already been asking them what they would like to learn. So far the leading topics are volcanoes, Egypt, and sea animals.

[bboop]

Letting kids direct themselves IS a bad idea. That's why they have parents. De-schooling is bogus; when kids are pulled out and safely ensconced in homeschooling/ their homes, they will detox naturally. As you feed them the Real Food of learning.

[SoftballMominVA]

But, it does make sense when you consider I teach special education and I'm where they end up when the regular classroom is not appropriate.

My older daughter's best friend was previously home schooled and you could not ask for a nicer kid. Wonderful student, athlete, and citizen. She ended up in public schools due to a downturn in family finances. A girl on my younger daughter's softball team has never stepped foot in a public school and is starting at community college this fall. Again...just an all-around great kid.

That being said, I can also give examples of wonderful public school kids and examples of horrible public school kids. In each case there is a parenting issue for good or bad. I believe it comes down to the parents every single time.

[bboop]

I personally believe the gifted ones thrive on good, solid structure, within which they have some freedom to choose.

[SoftballMominVA]

BTW--what is an ISP? In my special education world that is an Individual Service Plan. An ISP provides special education services for home-schooled kids. Is this the same thing in your world?

[Galveston Grl]

I wish their were more competent teachers and public schools, too. Some teachers and group schools are better than others and some are downright destructive...just like homeschoolers. Excellence is not uniform in any walk of life.

[Galveston Grl]

correction: "I wish THERE were..."

[luckystarmom]

ISP can also stand for Independent Study Program.

[bboop]

Unit studies are wonderful, sounds like you have a great program. I would not call it unschooling, tho, for you have set goals for your kids and provide structure, within which your children choose their interests. Otherwise you have Summerhill all over again, with all the tomfoolery that provides. To me unschooling smells of 'We did not teach our kids any religion; we want them to choose their own,' which I believe is abusive.

[CindyDawg]

As long as you are dedicated. I saw late mornings as a benefit for me. I didn't have to get up at dark any more:')

[Reddy]

Good explanation. Sometimes this is called "emergent curriculum", letting the child direct which way to go according to his interests. I'm sure you've found it is more work for the instructor! :) But a very rewarding way to learn.

[PAR35]

That sounds like what they do with 'integrated curriculum' in the public school. I thought folks home schooled to get back to the basics. If you want this new age teaching, why not just leave them in public school?

[SoftballMominVA]

No argument from me there.....I'd like to see

Academic standards for teachers as strict as those we impose on kids

Behavioral standards

Continuing education standards

COMMITMENT TO THE JOB AT HAND!!

And total destruction of the NEA.

[SoftballMominVA]

Thanks for the explanation. :)

[This Just In]

"You will not be a successful homeschooler unless you are willing to make a serious commitment to it."

Well said. Some of the individuals whom I've talked with regarding home education want to school for the wrong reasons. They observe home educated families and want the same without truly realizing what is involved. Furthermore, they don't realize that it's also a philosophy. A way of life, not just a specific number of hours set aside each work day.

It is quite a commitment, but worth the sacrifice.

"De-Schooling" appears to be just a label. For children who were once in the public school, and our children were, there is adjustment, but we didn't set out to "De-School" our children. As parents(We do know our children better than anyone else on this planet), we were sensitive to their personalities and observed how they adjusted. If that, in and of itself, is "De-Schooling" than I guess we de-schooled our children.

[SauronOfMordor]

I'm a homeschooler of 3 kids. I'm somewhere in between "unschooling" and "public schooling at home"

To an extent I play it by ear. My middle one is into Macromedia Flash animation, so I let her indulge her interest. On the other hand, I also make her do algebra whether she's in the mood or not. Essentially, if they have an interest in something that's reasonably academicly-related, I let them run with it, while also making sure that the basics (reading, writing, math) are addressed