Replies

I am against homeschooling for the nation as a whole because I simply do not believe the vast majority of parents are capable of it. There is no possible way my parents, for example, could have given me the education available through the public schools. My mom was raising 7 sons how could she have taught adv. chemistry or physics or even English? This is not a unique story.

Many teachers come home exhausted every day from teaching. They have given their all to their pupils. How could such efforts be duplicated by those who are working another job, taking care of their households?

If the majority of parents had one stop working an outside job to home school the costs to the nation would be astronomical and cause an economic collapse.

It also appears to me a case of trying to escape from the world and a form of hermitry.

Most of the decline in the mean level of American education over the years is caused by the vast increase in children from single parent minority households. The schools where these children are the majority are a disaster but schools not burdened by such a population handle education quite well. There is a two tier system which must be disaggregated in order to understand what is going on in public education.

As I have asked others- would you want this woman to teach YOUR child?

In re: your constant support of public schools:

Do you believe that public schools are a form of socialism?

If the state confiscated wealth from its citizens to provide food, clothes, or housing for all the children within its boundaries would that not be a form of socialism? Why is it okay for the state to provide socialist education but not okay to provide socialist food, clothes, and housing to the children? Wouldn't a better term for public schools be "welfare schools" since they are meant for those children whose parents can't afford to send them to private schools or can't afford to teach them at home because both parents work?

Are you saying that a little bit of socialism is okay? Where do you draw the line then? How much socialism is too much socialism? What if I don't agree? Will you force me to accept the little bit of socialism you deem acceptable?

"I am against homeschooling for the nation as a whole because I simply do not believe the vast majority of parents are capable of it."

It doesn't matter if you are 'against' it or not. Every U.S. citizen has the right to do it, including Mrs. O'Dell. (1920's Education Trilogy--U.S. Sumpreme Court)

"There is no possible way my parents, for example, could have given me the education available through the public schools. My mom was raising 7 sons how could she have taught adv. chemistry or physics or even English? This is not a unique story."

My momma raised 11 children plus 6 foster children while working a 300 acre farm/ranch and we learned more from her and my dad than in all the years of public schooling. Public school is NOT the only place to learn adv. chemistry, physics or English and most home educating parents know this.

"Many teachers come home exhausted every day from teaching."

And they have all summer in which to rest up!

"They have given their all to their pupils. How could such efforts be duplicated by those who are working another job, taking care of their households?"

IT'S CALLED PARENTING!!!

"If the majority of parents had one stop working an outside job to home school the costs to the nation would be astronomical and cause an economic collapse."

Obviously, you failed public school economics. Home educators are saving taxpayers millions of dollars each year by not becoming a burden on school budgets, unlike those who place their children into forced public schooling. Teachers collect yearly salaries for 9 months worth of work and school administrators are pulling down $70,000.00-$90,000.00 a year, some are making over six figures.

"It also appears to me a case of trying to escape from the world and a form of hermitry."

The only 'escapism' and 'hermitry' I see here is your head because it is all alone while it is stuck up your arse.

"As I have asked others- would you want this woman to teach YOUR child?"

If I thought she had something to offer my children, yes I would have her teach them. The point is that it is my constitional right to do just that and no one like you is going to prevent me from making just such a decision.

I have also chosen to NOT allow anyone even remotely associated with the public school system to come anywhere near my children, for teaching purposes or otherwise. I find them too ignorant, immoral and lacking in abilities. My home education program is far less structured than Mrs. O'Dell's and my 15 year old daughter has already acquired 4 college credits at Bennington College. My son advanced 4 grade levels in reading in just 1 year.

I can only conclude from your rantings and steadfastness to this country's failing public school system that you are jealous of home educators who get better results from their students without a college degree, educational theory baggage, adv. chemistry, or adv. whatever! I strongly suspect you may even be a former (or present) school administrator or are married to someone closely connected to public schooling.