Home Schooling

[joecoolfrog]

Home schooling seems very hip in the USA these days, is this because States would rather spend money on anything other than education or are there other reasons?

[PLAYER57832]

Usually, I like your posts, but this one is pretty lame.

I have serious issues with many home-schoolers, but you skip some very good reasons.

Medical issues or safety issues prevent attending school readily.

School is unable to provide decent enough an education, either because child is far above average, school is below average or limitations just prevent full bredth of education I want my child to have.

Move/travel too much for regular school attendance (could be anything from parent's job requiring them to travel extensively to pursuing child's interests requires heavey travel).

[joecoolfrog]

Yes I see your point though it doesn't explain why most courses offer a free lunch for 2 at the Creationist Museum and a video explaining how to talk in tongues

[TheProwler]

Medical issues or safety issues prevent attending school readily.

Safety issues?!?!

Possibly the parent is a little overprotective; nurturing the child to become paranoid, seeking safety in the confines of their own house.

Possibly the child will "grow" to the point of only being comfortable interacting with people over the Internet.

Do you think that's possible, PLAYER?

School is unable to provide decent enough an education

Is that sentence grammatically correct?

[MeDeFe]

School is unable to provide decent enough an education

Is that sentence grammatically correct?

I'm not sure, even though I'm a spelling and grammar nazi. But I think it might be.

[thegreekdog]

Something that bothers me about home schooling... Can't a parent teach their kids stuff that the kids didn't learn at school? I mean, can't this be done on weekends or after school? There's more to schooling than simply education. In fact, my wife and I have discussed whether to send our future children to public school (my side) or private Catholic school (her side). My main argument is that our future child won't get the social education he/she needs at a private Catholic school. If the kid ain't getting the social education at private school, he/she ain't getting the social education in homeschooling.

The other issue I have is the assumption by home schooling parents that they know better than teachers. Patently ridiculous in most instances. My parents are highly educated, but they weren't teaching me calculus, US history or grammar.

[Frigidus]

Something that bothers me about home schooling... Can't a parent teach their kids stuff that the kids didn't learn at school? I mean, can't this be done on weekends or after school? There's more to schooling than simply education. In fact, my wife and I have discussed whether to send our future children to public school (my side) or private Catholic school (her side). My main argument is that our future child won't get the social education he/she needs at a private Catholic school. If the kid ain't getting the social education at private school, he/she ain't getting the social education in homeschooling.

The other issue I have is the assumption by home schooling parents that they know better than teachers. Patently ridiculous in most instances. My parents are highly educated, but they weren't teaching me calculus, US history or grammar.

People that want home schooling don't simply want to teach something that isn't taught in public schools, they want to leave out what is taught in schools entirely. If you never learn about evolution then you probably won't ever buy into it. It's that simple.

[Titanic]

Something that bothers me about home schooling... Can't a parent teach their kids stuff that the kids didn't learn at school? I mean, can't this be done on weekends or after school? There's more to schooling than simply education. In fact, my wife and I have discussed whether to send our future children to public school (my side) or private Catholic school (her side). My main argument is that our future child won't get the social education he/she needs at a private Catholic school. If the kid ain't getting the social education at private school, he/she ain't getting the social education in homeschooling.

Thats one of the great downsides of home schooling, you miss the whole experience of public school which imo is worth just as much as A Levels or SAT's as it gives you an education and influence that just can't be taught elsewhere.

[TheProwler]

Home schooling doesn't allow a child to develop necessary social skills. It is sheltering the kids.

It is actually quite sad - the parent's act like they own the kids - more like property than offspring. They think they will be able to mold the kids into what they perceive to be fine young adults - like a little science experiment. It's all fine until the kids have to venture out into the real world and they come across as little freaks and they never fit in anywhere.

I am a rock; I am an island.

[sailorseal]

Something that bothers me about home schooling... Can't a parent teach their kids stuff that the kids didn't learn at school? I mean, can't this be done on weekends or after school? There's more to schooling than simply education. In fact, my wife and I have discussed whether to send our future children to public school (my side) or private Catholic school (her side). My main argument is that our future child won't get the social education he/she needs at a private Catholic school. If the kid ain't getting the social education at private school, he/she ain't getting the social education in homeschooling.

Private schools have and public schools can offer the same social education, Catholic Schools are where it might differ

[muy_thaiguy]

Something that bothers me about home schooling... Can't a parent teach their kids stuff that the kids didn't learn at school? I mean, can't this be done on weekends or after school? There's more to schooling than simply education. In fact, my wife and I have discussed whether to send our future children to public school (my side) or private Catholic school (her side). My main argument is that our future child won't get the social education he/she needs at a private Catholic school. If the kid ain't getting the social education at private school, he/she ain't getting the social education in homeschooling.

The other issue I have is the assumption by home schooling parents that they know better than teachers. Patently ridiculous in most instances. My parents are highly educated, but they weren't teaching me calculus, US history or grammar.

Could do what I did, go to a private Catholic elementary school, and then Public Junior High and Senior High Schools. Learn in a smaller class all the basics during elementary school, and have an easier time with the more advanced stuff while becoming more socially adept.

[john9blue]

Something that bothers me about home schooling... Can't a parent teach their kids stuff that the kids didn't learn at school? I mean, can't this be done on weekends or after school? There's more to schooling than simply education. In fact, my wife and I have discussed whether to send our future children to public school (my side) or private Catholic school (her side). My main argument is that our future child won't get the social education he/she needs at a private Catholic school. If the kid ain't getting the social education at private school, he/she ain't getting the social education in homeschooling.

The other issue I have is the assumption by home schooling parents that they know better than teachers. Patently ridiculous in most instances. My parents are highly educated, but they weren't teaching me calculus, US history or grammar.

I went to a private school and the community was amazing. Then again, our school was bigger than most public schools (1400 or so).

[thegreekdog]

Yeah, I didn't mean for this to get into a public vs. private debate. It depends on the private school. You have 45 kids per grade private all-boys Catholic schools versus powerhouse 500 per class co-ed Catholic schools. I think there's a big difference.

[muy_thaiguy]

Yeah, I didn't mean for this to get into a public vs. private debate. It depends on the private school. You have 45 kids per grade private all-boys Catholic schools versus powerhouse 500 per class co-ed Catholic schools. I think there's a big difference.

No, my school was co-ed. And my class in Kindergarten was about 25. Granted I live in a small town. But the other Catholic schools I have been to (played basketball in elelmentary) were co-ed as well. And some were (and have) gotten larger since then.

[PLAYER57832]

Medical issues or safety issues prevent attending school readily.

Safety issues?!?!

Possibly the parent is a little overprotective; nurturing the child to become paranoid, seeking safety in the confines of their own house.

That can be the case, but I was referring to some schools where gang activity and such is pretty heavy. Some stuff 9 year olds just are not equipped to deal with.

Similarly, if your child is being beat up or just plain picked on to the point that they are failing school and withdrawing inside themselves, they may need a break so they can grow into decent human beings. Many kids just don't fit in the "normal" spectrum.

Possibly the child will "grow" to the point of only being comfortable interacting with people over the Internet.

Do you think that's possible, PLAYER?

If that's dig at me, I went to fully public schools, including college.

School is unable to provide decent enough an education

Is that sentence grammatically correct?[/quote]
It was not a sentence, it was an item in a list.

[PLAYER57832]

Something that bothers me about home schooling... Can't a parent teach their kids stuff that the kids didn't learn at school? I mean, can't this be done on weekends or after school? There's more to schooling than simply education. In fact, my wife and I have discussed whether to send our future children to public school (my side) or private Catholic school (her side). My main argument is that our future child won't get the social education he/she needs at a private Catholic school. If the kid ain't getting the social education at private school, he/she ain't getting the social education in homeschooling.

The other issue I have is the assumption by home schooling parents that they know better than teachers. Patently ridiculous in most instances. My parents are highly educated, but they weren't teaching me calculus, US history or grammar.

Could do what I did, go to a private Catholic elementary school, and then Public Junior High and Senior High Schools. Learn in a smaller class all the basics during elementary school, and have an easier time with the more advanced stuff while becoming more socially adept.

This is the key. A parent has to decide what is best for their child. Putting a shy child into a big public school might overwhelm them. Putting a highly gregarious, perhaps somewhat "renegade" (for lack of a better description) child into a small private school might stifle. Similarly, some kids with various disabilities (not necessarily the "big" ones, but smaller issues) might just need the extra attention a small school will provide.

One thing about the socialization, though. Parents who homeschool often do involve their kids in various social activities, from scouts to sports (many states require schools to open up certain activities to home schoolers), to church, etc. A parent may have to work a tad harder to ensure the kid gets those things, but simply going to public school may not offer a great social experience, either.

[muy_thaiguy]

Something that bothers me about home schooling... Can't a parent teach their kids stuff that the kids didn't learn at school? I mean, can't this be done on weekends or after school? There's more to schooling than simply education. In fact, my wife and I have discussed whether to send our future children to public school (my side) or private Catholic school (her side). My main argument is that our future child won't get the social education he/she needs at a private Catholic school. If the kid ain't getting the social education at private school, he/she ain't getting the social education in homeschooling.

The other issue I have is the assumption by home schooling parents that they know better than teachers. Patently ridiculous in most instances. My parents are highly educated, but they weren't teaching me calculus, US history or grammar.

Could do what I did, go to a private Catholic elementary school, and then Public Junior High and Senior High Schools. Learn in a smaller class all the basics during elementary school, and have an easier time with the more advanced stuff while becoming more socially adept.

This is the key. A parent has to decide what is best for their child.

Tis called a "suggestion."

Putting a shy child into a big public school might overwhelm them. Putting a highly gregarious, perhaps somewhat "renegade" (for lack of a better description) child into a small private school might stifle. Similarly, some kids with various disabilities (not necessarily the "big" ones, but smaller issues) might just need the extra attention a small school will provide.

One thing about the socialization, though. Parents who homeschool often do involve their kids in various social activities, from scouts to sports (many states require schools to open up certain activities to home schoolers), to church, etc. A parent may have to work a tad harder to ensure the kid gets those things, but simply going to public school may not offer a great social experience, either.

More or less agree with the rest.

[TheProwler]

Medical issues or safety issues prevent attending school readily.

Safety issues?!?!

Possibly the parent is a little overprotective; nurturing the child to become paranoid, seeking safety in the confines of their own house.

That can be the case, but I was referring to some schools where gang activity and such is pretty heavy. Some stuff 9 year olds just are not equipped to deal with.

Similarly, if your child is being beat up or just plain picked on to the point that they are failing school and withdrawing inside themselves, they may need a break so they can grow into decent human beings. Many kids just don't fit in the "normal" spectrum.

If someone lives in an area where there is heavy gang activity, isn't it another alternative to move? With the extra money earned by the parent who can get a job because he/she isn't home schooling the kid, it should be affordable. It just seems to be a real temporary solution to shelter your kid from the environment that he/she will eventually have to experience.

And regarding the kid being beat up and picked on....that sucks. But isn't your "solution" the same as what I said: "nurturing the child to become paranoid, seeking safety in the confines of their own house."

Every situation is different, but retreating to your own house and being trapped inside it is something that I would only do as a last, and very temporary, resort.

If you are okay letting the bullies and gangs control your life, hey, sucks to be you. Hopefully some other good people will be willing to fight to make a positive change.

[PLAYER57832]

If someone lives in an area where there is heavy gang activity, isn't it another alternative to move? With the extra money earned by the parent who can get a job because he/she isn't home schooling the kid, it should be affordable. It just seems to be a real temporary solution to shelter your kid from the environment that he/she will eventually have to experience.

And regarding the kid being beat up and picked on....that sucks. But isn't your "solution" the same as what I said: "nurturing the child to become paranoid, seeking safety in the confines of their own house."

Every situation is different, but retreating to your own house and being trapped inside it seems to be a last resort.

I agree that homeschooling in the above situations would be a last resort, but there are many, many circumstances. Your idea that all a parent has to do is move and "get a job" is pretty telling. Many people just cannot do either. It takes money to move. If you have section 8 housing, etc. you can survive. Ironically, the government even penalizes people for trying to save up to do things like move. You generally cannot have on hand enough for first and last month's rent in most areas, never mind moving costs.

And, as for the bullying.... It is nice to say "stick up for yourself", but not everyone things being able to fight should be a priority in schooling. If my kid were being seriously endangered and the school system were not responding, I would pull him.

[TheProwler]

Your idea that all a parent has to do is move and "get a job" is pretty telling.

In what way? I think it demonstrates that I am the type of person who wouldn't get himself into a situation like that. I don't live in America, so I can't really comment on how hard it is down there (just that a lot of you seem to complain about it a lot). But I can say that if I decided to be a parent, I would have already established myself well enough to be able to handle a recession and other difficult situations that might arise. I mean, haven't most of these parents in these situations you describe lived in the country many years already? It's not like they were magically teleported into a rough neighbourhood one day. They ended-up where they are because of the bad decisions they made. And these are the type of people that should be home-schooling their children!?!?!?

[PLAYER57832]

They ended-up where they are because of the bad decisions they made.

Everyone makes bad decisions. Only some people have to pay more heavily for the same exact goofs than others.... and I definitely do not mean crime, drugs, etc.

As for the last, yes, there is a point in asking that. However, just becuase someone is not rich and hasn't been able to get a decent job does not mean they are stupid or anything else. Society does not reward the most intelligent, the hardest working or even those with the "best" moral code. Soceity rewards the fortunate who often do work reasonably hard. Some of those work very hard, some are extremely moral, etc. However, many others do neither much .. yet they still get good jobs. That is the facts of life.