'The flight from public schools'

World Net Daily ^ | 26 Oct 02

[homeschool mama]

There are currently between 1.5m and 2m documented homeschool children in the United States. That rate is growing by 15% each year.

[homeschool mama]

I'd much rather have civilized children than socialized children. :o)

[FourPeas]

Home-schoolers have outscored many public school students for years, on tests of academic skills. Testing is not a problem but Assessing the value of your child to "their" public government school system is.

Exactly.

[Lizavetta]

It shows how and why the government's education system has become so controversial that former U.S. Secretary of Education William Bennett now publicly exhorts parents on national television to take their children out of the learning institutions over which he once presided – and to homeschool them instead.

Actually, he's probably urging people to homeschool so they will buy his K12 curriculum, which is used in some government schools as well.

Another "conservative" who's found a way to the government trough.

[SR71A]

In this town, there're new businesses with little Mexican stores, a kind of little Mexican bank which provides services I don't understand

Bonjour, Mamzelle -- :)

The "little bank" is for money orders and wire transfers back to Mexico. I imagine they also sell phone cards, and probably illegal documents out of the back room. They probably charge 3 or 4 per cent on the wire transfers, so it's a nice little business to be in. This is a big reason why the banks are starting to accept the Mexican Matricula Consular ID cards...they want a piece of the action.

You probably have also noticed that your local "big" grocery store now has 2 or 3 aisles of nothing but "Mexican" grocery items...even up to and including Mexican soda pop, the (really good) hot sauces, etc.

My major chain grocery stores have them, and I live in Maryland, which is not your typical "border state"... :)

[Lurking2Long]

We homeschool five. My kids are the sweetest children I know (bias aside). Public school is like placing your children into the pit of Hell.

[Ironword]

Interestingly, the word "socialization" is never defined by public-school educrats -- it's one of those empty-vessel words that the public-at-large fills with various, "convenient" or "apparent" definitions (i.e., general social skills, manners). However, the term is properly / professionally defined as "introduction of youth to consumer culture and maintenance of adults within consumer culture" (cf., Macmillan Encyclopedia of Communication and Information).

And that's the nature of the game in the public schools, but also in many high-end (i.e., expensive) private schools. And thus, curricula also become a mirror or reflection of the pop culture of the day, at the cost of academics.

[RipeforTruth]

Congratulations. Time is so short and fleeting with our young ones.

Our four children have always been homeschooled. I see and am thankful for the incredible results.

You will, too.

[Straight Vermonter]

We are finally taking the plunge. I am taking on yet another job so that our kids can go to private schools. We need vouchers now!

[nanny]

[Federal "No Child Left Behind" Act]

Is this President Bush's program?

[Red Jones]

if you're involved as a public school teacher, then I'd imagine it seems impossible to change the way the system (dys)functions. However, in my opinion radical change in management can cause radical change in how the system works. The great thing about vouchers is that it facilitates radical change in management for a portion of the schools. When the trail-blazing radicals among the voucher-funded schools develop their methods, then these methods can be grafted onto the public schools.

[Straight Vermonter]

[Straight Vermonter]

[The Californian]

Actually, he's probably urging people to homeschool so they will buy his K12 curriculum, which is used in some government schools as well.

Another "conservative" who's found a way to the government trough.

It is quite obvious to me that you have neither followed Bill Bennett's career or understand what he is doing. His objective has ALWAYS been to give a quality education to as many children as he possibly can. Don't slam him for making it available through the public school. Some parents just can't make the jump on their own.

BTW - I am an 11 year veteran of the HS war and have followed Bennett's work. Try not to be too judgemental of how others are fulfilling their desire for a quality education - until you have walked in their shoes, you have no idea what their struggles are. Ultimately home schooling is about the PARENTS making good decisions for their kids. The more options available, the better.

[nanny]

[And no one dares talk about it, or the implications. What's different about immigration today is that there's no desire among immigrants to be American.]

You are right in almost everything you say. The part of consulting with Texas educators isn't. They have no more clue than anyone else. Yes, we have always had a sizeable population of people of Mexican decent. These people are Americans, as much as you or I, some have been in this State much longer than a lot of Texans. They are no problem to educate - except of course, for the gang member and that is evident everywhere. WE have also had illegals for many, many years. They didn't usually bring their families, but when they did, they behaved themselves in every way because there really was a time they would be deported.

Now you have a group of people here just for the money and the freebies and they absolutely know they will not be deported. They also absolutely know they will not be held responsible for taxes, medical cost, educational costs, or their illegal activities (and I don't just mean border crossing.) These people are untouchable. They are protected by the greedy corporations that are making a killing because we take care of the benefit package for them. They are protected by the politicians that are being paid by said greedy corporations (from the highest level on down). Theya re being protected by the courts and law enforcement that says, there is nothing they can do so just let them go. They are being protected by the people who mistakenly believe they are been so generous by supporting their cause. They are being protected by the people who support Republicans no matter what they do. These people have free rein in this country and believe me it spills over into the school system. Texas educators don't know how to handle this any more than others. All of this is detrimental to the school system at large. So much resources is being diverted to care for their special needs, it is being taken from the other children.

Their attitude goes much farther than just rudeness. They know they have the upper hand. They know they can do whatever they wish and the citizens can do nothing. They have powerful friends and protectors. It is suicide, not just to the school system, but to the nation as a whole.

This country has been int he election mode for quite some time now. Does it make anyone wonder why illegal immigration has not been an issue for anyone except Tancredo? It is the very crucial issue that is just being ignored.

[The Californian]

We are finally taking the plunge. I am taking on yet another job so that our kids can go to private schools. We need vouchers now!

Skip the second job, quit the first and home school. Believe me, you can do it very successfully on a very small shoestring. Look into it. Your state probably has a great homeschool resource place that can get you started. You can also contact Home School Legal Defense Association to get a state contact.

Good Luck.

[xJones]

Keep in mind that this is a small town--the immigrants came in large numbers, and quickly, and now make up a significant percentage.

And no one dares talk about it, or the implications.

What's different about immigration today is that there's no desire among immigrants to be American. At best, this is just plain *rude*.

You see that all over the U.S. No assimulation, no English, and U.S. citizens are footing a whale of a tax bill paying for their free county health care, schooling, (in many states) voting rights, and citizenship for all the illegals' babies. My great gripe with Dubya is that he turns a blind eye to the "reconquista" going on. U.S. citizenship seems to mean nothing anymore, except we get to pay the taxes. ENOUGH!

[Eva]

Socialization is the biggest reason to homeschool your kids. It was the drug culture of the public school system that drove us to send our son to a private Christian school.

[Straight Vermonter]

Skip the second job, quit the first and home school. Believe me, you can do it very successfully on a very small shoestring.

Well the family expects to eat and have a home too. No work, no shoestring. LOL

[Hostage]

I was under the impression that socialization under homeschooling was proceeding through formation of regional networks, much like AYSO for youth soccer.

Socialization for that matter can also proceed through such things as soccer camps, nature walks, vacation bible schools, etc. I'd like to hear more about it because as you said, the biggest negative that public school proponents bring up about homeschooling is the issue of socialization.

People assume that homeschooling is about kids being home isolated from the world. In that sense, homeschooling may be a misnomer. It may be more aptly described as "family schooling".