Homeschooling: Your Views, Please

[Two Thumbs]

Sometimes perception is colored by reality. In my case, I have watched my niece home school her three sons. It doesn't seem to have worked very well. They have very little ability to interact with anyone outside of their "home school" group. They are socially awkward and seem to have very little confidence in dealing with situation they don't normally encounter. They tend to be overly protected and have no skills being developed that they could use to get a JOB.

They do know a lot about bugs and cartoons.

Not a fan of homeschooling or vouchers.

The most successful people I know went to public schools.

Socially awkward kids?!?!?!!?

that never happens in public school!

 

[JakeStarkey]

Were you ever involved in any of those activities?? You seem to have a distorted perception, because they are not sheltered environments. They are microcosms of real life situations, and yes, they have all the personality types you listed that kids need to learn how to interact with on a daily basis. Not much of that occurs during English or Biology where the teacher should be keeping order in a self-contained classroom.

I was and I support schools as clients. Your perception is incorrect. They are like letting the animals run the zoo, which is a great way to learn the laws of the jungle and what exists in the real world, not mom's garage and dinning room table.

I was a teacher. My perception is correct. Again, step into present day, and acknowledge that many parents who choose this route are capable, and some of them aren't even Christians.

"I was a teacher. My perception is correct" is an assumption that begs the question.

You perceive yourself correct because you perceive yourself as a good teacher.

 

[FuelRod]

Sometimes perception is colored by reality. In my case, I have watched my niece home school her three sons. It doesn't seem to have worked very well. They have very little ability to interact with anyone outside of their "home school" group. They are socially awkward and seem to have very little confidence in dealing with situation they don't normally encounter. They tend to be overly protected and have no skills being developed that they could use to get a JOB.

They do know a lot about bugs and cartoons.

Not a fan of homeschooling or vouchers.

The most successful people I know went to public schools.

Socially awkward kids?!?!?!!?

that never happens in public school!

I know plenty of families that home school their children. Some very well adjusted kids. Some not so much. One of the kids is a Junior in High School and he liked to say there is "home schooled" (well adjusted) and "home schoolers" (awkward) kids.
This all comes down to the parents.
If you choose to homeschool my guess if you are dissatisfied or at least concerned with the quality and or content or both your child/children will be receiving in the public or private school system.
Legitimate concern.
As for me and mine. We did not have the skills to homeschool (read as PATIENCE). But more important, our kids are going to have to live in this world. They are going to have to take what we give them at home and bring that with them.

 

[Samson]

It works a hundred times better than union based schools but only if the parents care enough to follow the curriculum.

You have no data to support your claim.

Have you EVER supported ANYTHING you've posted with ANY data?

 

[Samson]

And if you were a teacher, it must have been for the younger guys. Those you can get to shut up from time to time.

Why do you say that?

Because some of my clients are schools.

 

[editec]

I was homeschooled as a child.

There are arguments made for and against it.

Would you please share your views on it here?

It DEPENDS on the HOME SCHOOL, doesn't it?

Here in Maine we have very liberal home school laws.

Anybody can do it, and the schools still have to allow the kids to take part in whatever scholastic or extra-curricular activies the school offers.

Seriously...this is a damned fine system that the rest of this nation ought to emulate.

 

[Luddly Neddite]

Sometimes perception is colored by reality. In my case, I have watched my niece home school her three sons. It doesn't seem to have worked very well. They have very little ability to interact with anyone outside of their "home school" group. They are socially awkward and seem to have very little confidence in dealing with situation they don't normally encounter. They tend to be overly protected and have no skills being developed that they could use to get a JOB.

They do know a lot about bugs and cartoons.

Not a fan of homeschooling or vouchers.

The most successful people I know went to public schools.

Nothing to stop people like that from sending their kid to school and then supplementing their education at home.

The best of both worlds.

 

[Samson]

I was homeschooled as a child.

There are arguments made for and against it.

Would you please share your views on it here?

The best arguement for homeschooling is that it worked for over 10,000 years, and is probably the most natural way for humans (and any other mammal) to learn. Obviously, humans are also very social. It appears that many who argue against homeschooling believe some fantacy that it means kids will be locked away in an attic with a chalkboard from dawn until dusk.

Absurd.


The best arguement AGAINST homeschooling is that it does not offer the range of education that is the norm that public school offers: Parents cannot be experts in every field. During the past 20 years this arguement has become antiquated as expert teaching becomes available through the internet.

 

[JakeStarkey]

It works a hundred times better than union based schools but only if the parents care enough to follow the curriculum.

You have no data to support your claim.

Have you EVER supported ANYTHING you've posted with ANY data?

Sure. I do know that when the far right asks for data and get it, they will not check it, say it is skewed, and slam the source, even if it is righty.

Go biking today, buddy, on the front. Beautiful day for it.

 

[bodecea]

I was homeschooled as a child.

There are arguments made for and against it.

Would you please share your views on it here?

Why not? IF the parents are up to it, go for it....there's lots of help out there too.

 

[nodoginnafight]

I was homeschooled as a child.

There are arguments made for and against it.

Would you please share your views on it here?

I have seen good things come from it when the homeschooling parent(s) are committed and good at it. I've seen it turn into a sham and essentially allowing a kid to drop out of school when the parent(s) are not committed and ill-equipped.

It can go either way (imho). It just depends on the parents.

 

[Samson]

You have no data to support your claim.

Have you EVER supported ANYTHING you've posted with ANY data?

Sure. I do know that when the far right asks for data and get it, they will not check it, say it is skewed, and slam the source, even if it is righty.

Go biking today, buddy, on the front. Beautiful day for it.

Another post with no data.




Bravo.

 

[JakeStarkey]

Have you EVER supported ANYTHING you've posted with ANY data?

Sure. I do know that when the far right asks for data and get it, they will not check it, say it is skewed, and slam the source, even if it is righty.

Go biking today, buddy, on the front. Beautiful day for it.

Another post with no data. Bravo.

Did not require it. Instead of stepping off and looking silly, go ride your back.

 

[rightwinger]

I'm OK with homeschooling but it is not an answer to this countries problems with education

My biggest issue is with the all or nothing approach

If a parent wants to teach English, Math and History but is not qualified to teach Science or Computers, the school should be open for that child to attend for Science and Computers

 

[JakeStarkey]

I agree with that, rw. My concern is that students in Private or Home school do not get an objective bloc of instruction on Critical Thinking. Some parents have told me over the years that they want to "protect" their children from CT. If the entire community thought as they did, maybe that makes sense. But our children and grandchildren live in a great and grand diversity of humanity, and they need to be prepared for it.

 

[rightwinger]

I agree with that, rw. My concern is that students in Private or Home school do not get an objective bloc of instruction on Critical Thinking. Some parents have told me over the years that they want to "protect" their children from CT. If the entire community thought as they did, maybe that makes sense. But our children and grandchildren live in a great and grand diversity of humanity, and they need to be prepared for it.

I think that is a larger issue

I think there is a sizeable issue with homeschooling being more about the needs of the parents than what is best for the child

They claim it is to get the best educational experience but in practice it is because they do not want their child to learn about evolution, they do not want their children near liberals or god forbid...they do not want their children associating with poor people

 

[Meathead]

I agree with that, rw. My concern is that students in Private or Home school do not get an objective bloc of instruction on Critical Thinking. Some parents have told me over the years that they want to "protect" their children from CT. If the entire community thought as they did, maybe that makes sense. But our children and grandchildren live in a great and grand diversity of humanity, and they need to be prepared for it.

I think that is a larger issue

I think there is a sizeable issue with homeschooling being more about the needs of the parents than what is best for the child

They claim it is to get the best educational experience but in practice it is because they do not want their child to learn about evolution, they do not want their children near liberals or god forbid...they do not want their children associating with poor people

I would keep my son out of US public education until university. I've seen far too much to trust an obviously broken system with someone that important to me. If I couldn't send him to private schools I would see to his education myself.

Fortunately, it is not an issue where I live.

 

[rightwinger]

I agree with that, rw. My concern is that students in Private or Home school do not get an objective bloc of instruction on Critical Thinking. Some parents have told me over the years that they want to "protect" their children from CT. If the entire community thought as they did, maybe that makes sense. But our children and grandchildren live in a great and grand diversity of humanity, and they need to be prepared for it.

I think that is a larger issue

I think there is a sizeable issue with homeschooling being more about the needs of the parents than what is best for the child

They claim it is to get the best educational experience but in practice it is because they do not want their child to learn about evolution, they do not want their children near liberals or god forbid...they do not want their children associating with poor people

I would keep my son out of US public education until university. I've seen far too much to trust an obviously broken system with someone that important to me. If I couldn't send him to private schools I would see to his education myself.

Fortunately, it is not an issue where I live.

As with many parents who homeschool or send their kids to private school

It is all about giving up control

 

[Meathead]

I think that is a larger issue

I think there is a sizeable issue with homeschooling being more about the needs of the parents than what is best for the child

They claim it is to get the best educational experience but in practice it is because they do not want their child to learn about evolution, they do not want their children near liberals or god forbid...they do not want their children associating with poor people

I would keep my son out of US public education until university. I've seen far too much to trust an obviously broken system with someone that important to me. If I couldn't send him to private schools I would see to his education myself.

Fortunately, it is not an issue where I live.

As with many parents who homeschool or send their kids to private school

It is all about giving up control

I don't know. What you might deem satisfactory for yourself and your children might not be for me or mine. We all have different standards. I make no apologies.

Here, children are tested then separated into different schools, especially on entering high school. My son is attending what is called a "gymnasium" with other students being prepped for university studies. Others go to school more focused on trades. I don't have to worry about the mediocrity of his education. Additionally, I don't have to worry about gangs, racial tensions and worry far less about drugs and violence than my counterparts in the vast majority of the US.

 

[JakeStarkey]

"What you might deem satisfactory for yourself and your children might not be for me or mine. We all have different standards."

Our society, however, operates on a platform of basic concepts, and parents should empower their children to master those concepts.