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02/02/2007 03:31:50 PM · #76 |
Originally posted by nards656:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Unfortunately, many homeschool kids and parents do too much play. |
Curiosity gets me here... is this an opinion based on perception, an opinion based on experience, or something based on statistical study? As a second question, how do you define "too much"??
I ask this seriously, because a lot of "anti-homeschoolers" make this accusation with what I believe to be little or no factual information, and I'm curious if you are saying something in a similar vein or if this is indeed a proven fact.
Studies by the NEA are not, in my opinion, valid due to a carte blanche bias and a published political opinion opposing homeschooling. Studies by homeschool groups, as well, are not truly valid because of an opposite, subjective bias. |
Many educators are drecrying the trend towards less recess and "play" time, which is when children get to exercise their creative faculties as well as their muscles. It is politicians who are forcing everyone into "teaching to the test" and almost nothing else, apparently with the intent of turning out little programmable robots capable of entering the workforce with a maximum rate of compliance and little initiative. |
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02/02/2007 04:01:36 PM · #77 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Or perhaps you want to go back to the days when literacy and mathematics were reserved to the royal and priestly classes -- I believe we refer to that time now as the "Dark Ages." |
Later, when I'm not poor.
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02/02/2007 04:17:17 PM · #78 |
When I was in the public schools, in 6th grade they started cutting out more gym time. We only had gym every other day then in high school one elective, one year, out of the 4 years of the most important time in a teens life to be exercising and shaping the body muscles...
Its not the fast food problem at all that is causing so much fuss over the over weighted population.. hmmmm...
I wouldn't say that too much play is going to harm kids at all, because there are so many motivational games that will get them learning when they don't know it. They remember when they are having fun..
Think about it.... The kids in schools pencil pushing, preparing for test, sitting in rows of desk looking at the back of someone else's head...
School was never my favorite place to be.. Playtime is one of the best ways to expand the mind..Most already know this too. I probably would have a better memory if I was able to play.. :) I guess thats why, now I am making up for the time I lost playing when I was younger.
I could probably ramble on and on, I know I could be a good example for a Dr. Phil show as well as my step daughter..
Have you heard how teens get pushed out of high school if they miss one or two of the electives the freshman or sophomore year?
Just double up on math and english the last two years, some students taking up to 3 math course studies in one semester.. My step daughter had to go that route and because she started having a hard time keeping up she didn't want to go to school especially since the teachers gave her a hard time or didn't want to help her as she is the talkative type in class. She is very bright but needs the disciplin from the teacher to keep on track.. She is not at all a bad kid, but she does lack the motivation to exercise regular and perhaps listen to a step mom about healthy choices in eating habits... So in her life I only hope to stay out of the way of allowing her to learn on her own, only because there are to many issues as a step family... Anyways.. .
This is a program I downloaded a few months ago and it really helps a lot. Homeschool Tracker
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02/02/2007 04:31:30 PM · #79 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Originally posted by theSaj:
Especially, since it usually costs $4,000+ per pupil in public schools and the fact that we pay taxes and do not benefit. |
You get no benefit that your bus driver knows how to read road signs? That the cashier knows how to count? That a voter knows how to think? (Well, the last might be a stretch.)
Any society with pretensions of self-governance ("of the people, by the people, for the people") requires a literate and educated populace.
Or perhaps you want to go back to the days when literacy and mathematics were reserved to the royal and priestly classes -- I believe we refer to that time now as the "Dark Ages." |
I think the point was not that there are no benefits, it's the fact that homeschoolers pay the school tax just like public school students' families, yet we do not receive the benefits of being able to join in extra-curricular activities (football, band, whathaveyou), of getting access to museums and the like for the same cost as public schoolers, and access to certain equipment (for example: microscopes, lab equipment, etc.).
Granted, this is a choice that we have consciously made. Granted, most (if not all) of us actively seek out alternatives to the activities and equipment that the public schools have. But it is still galling to have to pay money into a system in which you have no direct and personal benefit, and in some cases, where you feel it is ineffective and a waste of money. (And I would seriously debate you on whether or not the cashiers today could make correct change without the help of their cash registers.)
I agree with your statement regarding a literate and educated populace, but I ask you this: who taught the founding fathers? Among those who were homeschooled are George Washington, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Abraham Lincoln. They were certainly educated and literate men. Yet they did not attend public school. Ditto for Thomas Edison, Booker T. Washington, Andrew Carnegie, Patrick Henry, and John Jay, among many others.
The assumption that without public schools we would return to the Dark Ages is quite ... interesting. Why would one assume that? Are there statistics that would tend to support this? Or is this a blanket statement condemning something that you do not believe in or support? I only ask for information - I'm not trying to start a fight. I'm just genuinely curious as to why there is no 'middle road' in most of the homeschool debates. Usually it boils down to "public school bad-homeschool good" and vice-versa. Frankly, I am of the opinion that if homeschooling were such a bad and unjustifiable choice, then it would not be legal throughout the United States.
And as far as having only royalty and priestly classes having access to education, do you truly and wholeheartedly believe that education in inner city schools is of the same calibre of that in affluent neighborhoods? If public education is so wonderful, why do so many people (who can afford to do so) place their children in private schools? Why, when given the chance, do poorer families snap up vouchers to attend private schools?
The decision to homeschool your children is not a simple one. It may be one that is easy to make, but there are many many factors that affect that decision. |
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02/02/2007 04:33:11 PM · #80 |
Originally posted by faery:
But don't forget to PLAY! The beauty of homeschooling is that you can play as much as you want to: Especially if your children are little. There's plenty of time to do academic things, but get out and breathe the fresh air,climb mountains,watch the birds....Remember that what takes a 6 year old, 6 months to grasp, takes a 9 year old a week to master.
One of the greatest influences for me in homeschool philos0phy has been Charlotte Mason...You can find links to her philosophies on this website
Homeschooling for Life |
caroline, do you find the charlotte mason philosphy very religious? i'm looking for something not based in bible study...
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02/02/2007 04:41:27 PM · #81 |
Oh you are a very well spoken man...round of applause for Paul!!!
For children Play is Work - this is when they grow their minds,bodies, imaginations,dreams,talents...this is where they learn about who they are and where their interests lie. My son in grade 4 spends hour upon hour in play with his best friend, playing REAL games: they build hi-ways and harbours,tollgates and parking lots with the most intricate detail, all out of bark chips, sticks, sand, stones...They make dams in the river with mud walls. They construct houses for small toy animals,and they play Boulle on the lawn. A large part of my son's day is spent in the treehouse with his younger sister (in fact yesterday morning the three of us had breakfast together up there and continued with lessons amongst the branches since I was a bit daunted by the prosect of climbing down..!!)
Today my son started his newest project: his ambition to build a transistor radio from scratch...They are unabashed at their play...they're being children.
Academics are just fine and my son exceeds his biological age on all tests by a good margin. How much sit down academic work does he do a day??? 1 1/2 hours. But any homeschool family will tell you that learning happens informally all day, it's not restricted to the books.
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Many educators are drecrying the trend towards less recess and "play" time, which is when children get to exercise their creative faculties as well as their muscles. It is politicians who are forcing everyone into "teaching to the test" and almost nothing else, apparently with the intent of turning out little programmable robots capable of entering the workforce with a maximum rate of compliance and little initiative. |
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02/02/2007 04:44:26 PM · #82 |
Originally posted by saracat:
I'm not trying to start a fight. I'm just genuinely curious as to why there is no 'middle road' in most of the homeschool debates. Usually it boils down to "public school bad-homeschool good" and vice-versa. |
I'm not trying to start a fight either, and I am one of those "middle of the roaders" who thinks that public/private schools and home-schooling are all valid models, and that no one of them will suit every child or situation.
I just get annoyed when people say they get "no benefit" from the existence of (nearly-)universal public education.
Personally, I attended both public and private schools, and since my dad was a science teacher and my mom taught in the forerunner of the Headstart Program for several years, I guess I had quite a bit of informal home-schooling as well.
Message edited by author 2007-02-02 16:53:43. |
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02/02/2007 04:46:59 PM · #83 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Originally posted by saracat:
I'm not trying to start a fight. I'm just genuinely curious as to why there is no 'middle road' in most of the homeschool debates. Usually it boils down to "public school bad-homeschool good" and vice-versa. |
I'm not trying to start a fight either, and I am one of those "middle of the roaders" who thinks that public/private schools and home-schooling are all valid models, and that no one of them will suit every child or situation.
I just get annoyed when people say they get "no benefit" from the existence of (nearly-)universal public education. |
Ah. Thanks for clearing that up.:) |
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02/02/2007 04:52:56 PM · #84 |
Originally posted by saracat:
[quote=GeneralE] [quote=theSaj]I think the point was not that there are no benefits, it's the fact that homeschoolers pay the school tax just like public school students' families, yet we do not receive the benefits of being able to join in extra-curricular activities (football, band, whathaveyou), of getting access to museums and the like for the same cost as public schoolers, and access to certain equipment (for example: microscopes, lab equipment, etc.). |
In Colorado, the schools have to let homeschoolers into any program that we want our kids to be in. Theater, football, swimming, etc.. since we do pay taxes, the state allows us access.
As a biologist, I bought my children (and fun for me too) a nice microscope and a nice stereoscope for science. We look at lots of stuff from mineral crystals to bacteria. Also, a digital camera to record what they see.
I feel it my job to make sure my children have success in life, so I would rather spend money on their education than me spending money in bars, going to movies, or having a $2000.00 dollar T.V. or new car.
Van |
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02/02/2007 04:54:08 PM · #85 |
No Charlotte Mason was an educator at the turn of the 20th century...while her beliefs are firmly Christian, and many Christian home schoolers make reference to her books, she was a very wise, child-centred, family centred woman. Get hold of the book "Charlotte Mason Companion - Personal Reflections on the Gentle Art of Learning" by Karen Andreola - the title says it all (she has another beautiful book worth looking through "A Pocketful of Pinecones") . It will revolutionise the way you look at learning, mothering, living. She doesn't present a curriculum as such, but her writings will help you to define what curriculum you need for your family.
With any given Christian curriculum you can take from it what you want: you can choose to leave out the religious components if you like. As I said before, I use Sonlight and Konos (a blend), but I do not include the Bible Components in our curriculum.
Originally posted by xianart:
caroline, do you find the charlotte mason philosphy very religious? i'm looking for something not based in bible study... |
Message edited by author 2007-02-02 16:56:23.
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02/02/2007 05:01:18 PM · #86 |
Van...thanks for the info. I am looking into this (in Colorado) for my 4.5 year old boy. His mother is trying to move to around Golden from up here around Greeley, so I may be looking at a possible move also.
I want him homeschooled myself, I work nights for like a week in a row, and his mother works the 9-5 days Mon-Fri, so when she has him he would be at "school/daycare" in Golden (in preschool right now on the Auraria campus) and then when I have him (6-10 SCHOOL DAYS a month), I most likely would not be driving him 1.5-2 hours to school one way. So I have some research to do on how I can fanagle it both ways.
Do Charter schools work in this way at all?
Van-I may PM you with some questions, if I find any.
Message edited by author 2007-02-02 17:01:54.
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02/02/2007 05:15:20 PM · #87 |
Originally posted by nards656:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Unfortunately, many homeschool kids and parents do too much play. |
Curiosity gets me here... is this an opinion based on perception, an opinion based on experience, or something based on statistical study? As a second question, how do you define "too much"??
I ask this seriously, because a lot of "anti-homeschoolers" make this accusation with what I believe to be little or no factual information, and I'm curious if you are saying something in a similar vein or if this is indeed a proven fact.
Studies by the NEA are not, in my opinion, valid due to a carte blanche bias and a published political opinion opposing homeschooling. Studies by homeschool groups, as well, are not truly valid because of an opposite, subjective bias. |
No, it's based on observation. Specifically, our neighbors and their children, one of whom is that same age as my oldest. When I compare this child to any of my child's peers, I can see HUGE gaps in their intellectual development, behavior and social skills. I believe it's largely because the child's mother, who homeschools, does very little actual "schooling", but a great deal of playing. Some kids from other homeschool families that we know are the same way, although perhaps not to the same degree.
I'm not saying that all homeschool families are that way, but I highly doubt that this is isolated case.
By no means do I think that learning must take place solely in a classroom or that it can't be fun or even centered around play. I teach my kids a lot of things while we're just goofing around, but, I think the classroom type of environment is important and some homeschooling families will neglect that in favor of just "fun".
I'm not "anti-homeschooling", but I do believe that some parents homeschool their kids for the wrong reasons or become irresponsible about it and don't have the self-discipline and control to be effective educators for their own kids. It's a lot easier to say to a child "Gee, let's go to the park and you can play on the swings while Mommy reads her book." than it is to say, "It's time to go through your spelling words".
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02/02/2007 05:22:55 PM · #88 |
Originally posted by dacrazyrn:
Do Charter schools work in this way at all?
Van-I may PM you with some questions, if I find any. |
Do send me an e-mail, I can get you all the info and contacts you might want for the Colo. Online Virtual Academy, we have over 2000 homeschoolers in the program and are base out of Adams County.
My wife teaches during the day and I do the night shift and weekend field-trips. We teach year-round, take breaks when we want, vacation as needed & at anytime, and we have alot of "play time too"
Van |
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02/02/2007 05:25:17 PM · #89 |
Originally posted by faery:
But any homeschool family will tell you that learning happens informally all day, it's not restricted to the books.
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Do you think that attitude is somehow exclusive to homeschool families?
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02/02/2007 05:35:51 PM · #90 |
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Originally posted by faery:
But any homeschool family will tell you that learning happens informally all day, it's not restricted to the books.
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Do you think that attitude is somehow exclusive to homeschool families? |
I can't find the original source of the quote to see why you would think that. She is a homeschooler, she is speaking of homeschooling families.
Likewise, using the same sampling methods you used a few posts up, I could say that most families I know believe the school day ends at 3 PM and any educational responsibility for their children is the schools, because I have a neighbor that believes that.
However, I know (or at least I hope strongly) that is not the case. In some cases, and for some reasons, parents whose children are in a school environment need to be even more active/proactive than homeschoolers, so they don't lose touch, or forget to touch base with their children. |
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02/02/2007 05:55:08 PM · #91 |
Originally posted by karmat:
And the age old question, "What about socialization?" I've learned not to answer with my original answer, "I taught public school for 8 years, I know how they are *socialized.* No thanks" to "We are making sure he has ample opportunities to be around others his age."
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I, personally, would not worry about "socialization". As I said earlier I have been homeschooled since 1st grade and I have had absolutely no problem making other friends. Occasionally, (especially when I was younger) I have wished that I would have had other kids, (other than my 3 siblings) to play with during recess, etc... but, I made it through just fine and have absolutely no regrets.
In my opinion many homeschoolers tend to think that homeschooling is just an easy way of getting by with as little work and study as possible. I have seen this in some of my experiences with other homeschoolers. Attitudes like these will eventually cause the downfall of the homeschooling option. (IMO) Homeschool is just another alternative to a quality education. It should be look on as a serious matter that will take dedication and committment on both the parents and children.
This is just my 3 cents worth, (2 cents worth has become far to over-used in the forums lately, lol) I will quite by saying I have had a wonderful experience with homeschooling and it has prepared me well for college academics. |
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02/02/2007 07:20:36 PM · #92 |
Originally posted by karmat:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Originally posted by faery:
But any homeschool family will tell you that learning happens informally all day, it's not restricted to the books.
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Do you think that attitude is somehow exclusive to homeschool families? |
I can't find the original source of the quote to see why you would think that. She is a homeschooler, she is speaking of homeschooling families.
Likewise, using the same sampling methods you used a few posts up, I could say that most families I know believe the school day ends at 3 PM and any educational responsibility for their children is the schools, because I have a neighbor that believes that.
However, I know (or at least I hope strongly) that is not the case. In some cases, and for some reasons, parents whose children are in a school environment need to be even more active/proactive than homeschoolers, so they don't lose touch, or forget to touch base with their children. |
I was just asking the question. I would no more expect such a statement to come from a homeschooling family than a public school family. The important factor is the parents and their dedication to the education of their children.
The attitude I have seen from some homeschool families seems to be that if you aren't homeschooling, somehow, you do not care about your child's education.
I agree that a lackadaisical attitude regarding education on the part of the parents is possible, homeschool or not.
If a school is not doing it's job, people hear about it. I know which schools in this area are good and which ones are not and generally, everyone with more than a passing interest in the community does too. In most cases, at least around here, changes will be made to correct the shortcomings of that school. My question is, who monitors the quality of the education that homeschoolers provide? Anyone?
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02/02/2007 08:08:02 PM · #93 |
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
My question is, who monitors the quality of the education that homeschoolers provide? Anyone? |
That depends on where you are located - some places are very strict about monitoring homeschooling families, others are not.
I'm thankful that Ontario (where I live) - is not.
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02/02/2007 08:42:56 PM · #94 |
| When I graduated I tested, and was 4 grade levels higher than other Colorado high schoolers. I came into it 2 levels behind. 3 years and I improved through the roof. |
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02/02/2007 09:29:07 PM · #95 |
Originally posted by kashi:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
My question is, who monitors the quality of the education that homeschoolers provide? Anyone? |
That depends on where you are located - some places are very strict about monitoring homeschooling families, others are not.
I'm thankful that Ontario (where I live) - is not. |
Why is that a good thing?
Not that you would, but what is to stop someone from simply claiming that they are homeschooling, when, in fact, they are doing little or nothing to educate their child?
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02/02/2007 09:39:04 PM · #96 |
Originally posted by "rainmotorsports":
Okay I can understand you had a bad experience. Do you think that 51% of 3,000 kids you went to school with were mean. Did you even meet more then 900 of those say 3000. |
First of all, I've never gone to a school with more than a few hundred students. If I were to give a percentage, I'd say somewhere around 10% are mean and another 20%-40% follow those 10%.
Originally posted by "rainmotorsports":
I was picked on and teased for years, In 5th grade i took my first stand and knocked Thomas meridith out. 8th grade I took a second stand when a kid took my back back and knocked me over with it. I then used my locker door to repeaditly beat his head. |
In 5th and 6th grade I accumulated 27 suspensions. Over half of those were for fighting. But I never threw a single punch. I had to write thousands and thousands of times "I will not fight!" blah blah blah.
Everytime I got suspended I also got a whooping.
I spent the last 1/2 of 6th grade sitting in the office for lunch recess. Why? There was a bully trying to pick a fight. I walked away and went to the office. Of course, the kids saw that every time I just got in trouble. So they were even more inclined to cause trouble.
I could have beaten up any of the bullies. In fact, I easy did so to one over the summer. But I was so trying not to get suspended and not to get a whooping.
Now fast forward to 9th grade. A bully started with me I endeavored to ignore. Finally by the third incident and the 2nd textbook to fly across the room; I had lost all patience. A large history text book hit me broadsides across the face. I picked up the desk I was sitting in over my head and cuss out the bully scaring him back to a wall.
No one really messed with me after that.
BUT!!!!
a) I never should have been put into such a situation
b) The fact that completely opposite to everything they say "fighting never solves anything", the truth of the matter is the only thing that solved anything was fighting. [ Note: this is also why I feel we should essentially beat the living crud out of the islamofascists. Cause I've realized this is playground politics. They're not going to stop unless stopped.]
Originally posted by "rainmotorsports":
Theyre still alive. You work with them, you sit down next to them. You deal with them their either your customers or you maybe theirs. You drive down the street with them, you even live next to them. |
But I choose to avoid them. I didn't have that choice in school. And yes, I also won't take the same crap that I did in 5th & 6th grade. Part of that means, God help any teacher who throws the same crap at me regarding any of my children. They may just find themselves with a bloody nose. Yes, that might mean jail time and a record. But I've already learned that nothing I do in life will keep me from being a criminal. So, as long as I feel what I did is just...that's good enough for me. I'll suffer the consequences.
The advantage of home schooling....is that a fair number of people become a bit more mature as an adult. Secondly, those who are better educated tend to be more civil. Thus, my child can excel academically and receive a better education. Putting them up the ladder a notch and helping them to avoid a few more of those twits.
Originally posted by "boomtap":
I honestly decided to become a teacher recently because I wanted to help the public school system rather than just complain about it. I took a 2/3 pay cut, and put myself back in college to get my license. I have to say that it is great to be able to actually be in the school where you can stop the bullying and keep an eye on things. It only takes a couple people that care at each school to make a diffrence and change the way things are handled. |
Interesting...I've contemplated doing such. I enjoy teaching and sharing information. I also like helping and encouraging people.
Originally posted by "rainmotorsports":
OKay but your werent packing? Was your bestfriend packing? Was your SO packing.... was atleast 9 of the 10 kids at your lunch table not packing. Just cause 2 out of 3,000 kids is packing doesnt make eevryone a stone cold killer |
True but it only took a pair of kids packing to leave a town burying nearly a dozen kids and tending to thousands more...
Originally posted by "Spazmo99":
The money is not public money, it's from a private foundation. |
Than I have no real issue with it. I would if they were taking tax payer money and excluding receipients.
Originally posted by "GeneralE":
Originally posted by theSaj:
Especially, since it usually costs $4,000+ per pupil in public schools and the fact that we pay taxes and do not benefit.
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I think you completely missed my point. I was not saying that we don't need education. My comment was in reference to free tuition to certain students, and at the time my understanding was that it was state paid for. It has been clarified that it is private grants. But had it been public monies I would have sued.
I also support school vouchers. I think all the arguments against are poor. The aspect of school vouchers essentially say "The state pays x amount per student per year for educating." You could then take that money and apply to whatever form provides the best education. Be it a public school, or subsidization to allow your child to attend a private school. Or even home schooling.
I am of the belief that public monies for education should be available to all. If it is to be made available on a limited basis for need it should be for need. (ie: it's drastically unfair to refuse scholarship money to a kid growing up dirt poor in the ghetto cause his skin is white but allow a middle-class 3 car family's child to receive a scholarship merely because his skin is black).
Originally posted by "generalE":
I just get annoyed when people say they get "no benefit" from the existence of (nearly-)universal public education. |
This was a specific comment regarding the fact of money, state funding, tax collection, etc.
The vast majority of municipal and county taxes go toward education. When you home school you do not receive any of that money. When you go to private school you do not receive any of that money. But the government still collects the money.
In many cases, the public education is the lowest performing model. But citizens are restricted from applying those funds elsewhere.
Originally posted by "Spazmo99":
My question is, who monitors the quality of the education that homeschoolers provide? Anyone? |
You know...that's the same question many people have for the public education system. (ie: No Child Left Behind Act, is actually an attempt to do just this. It's hated by schools and teachers because it basically nails them on numerous flaws.)
An independent study group did a survey of science in my hometown's public school system. They calculated of all the money spent very little actually reached the students. In fact, only 2 penny's per students was spent on science supplies and materials.
In high school biology we didn't have resources. When we studied mollusks the teacher went to Stop & Shop and bought a bunch of mollusks (clams, oysters, squid and octopus). He brought an electric frying pan, cooked them, and then we dissected them and ate them. When we studied arthropods we dissected lobsters. You had to bring in $5 if you wanted to dissect a lobster. (You got to eat it too.) The same for fish....
***
I've had some really great teachers and abyssmal teachers. There is very very little over-sight in the public education system. Numerous teacher's have lapsed on their certification, failed to get the appropriate degrees, etc.
That said, homeschooling has the potential to have great students and really poor students. My wife and her siblings were homeschooled. Their final years for the higher levels courses they simply audited college courses.
Message edited by author 2007-02-02 21:49:03. |
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02/02/2007 09:41:36 PM · #97 |
Question
How many who homeschool or were homeschooled did so legally? or in a state controlled program? and how many did it on their own?
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02/03/2007 01:48:38 AM · #98 |
It works BOTH ways...homeschoolers come under a lot of scrutiny, and somehow always need to prove that they are doing an exemplorary job. They have to be more accountable in a way. Their counterparts, the parents in mainstream education, are not asked to be as accountable. Of course there will be parents who are apparently home schooling, who are not doing it justice...but one needs to ask perhaps WHY that parent (your neighbour) is homeschooling: perhaps there are some underlying learning, emotional, psychological, developmental disorders in those children which you don't know about...not all home schooled children are going to be average or gifted students to begin with.
Within our home school community, there are parents educating children with a great variety of strengths and weaknesses. One mother, I know of, consciously took a year off last year to "Unschool" (a legitimate philosophy found in HS manuals) just to give her son some space to settle, catch up, regroup or whatever the phrase is...as a family they needed to do that. This year both he and his brother are doing brilliantly.
We also have experience of friends whose children are not being homeschooled, who are actively involved in their children's education far beyond school hours. Wonderful, wonderful family.
We must be careful of judging from the outside. When talking to home school families, many mainstream families do feel threatened, and have the opinion that HS families are somehow judging them (perception or legitimate impression?)....it's a funny world. We all need to learn a WHOLE LOT more tolerance and acceptance. The human race will keep turning on itself and finding something to criticise won't it? If we were all suddenly forced to HS our children, then we would still find something to separate us.... and so it goes...
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
I was just asking the question. I would no more expect such a statement to come from a homeschooling family than a public school family. The important factor is the parents and their dedication to the education of their children.
The attitude I have seen from some homeschool families seems to be that if you aren't homeschooling, somehow, you do not care about your child's education.
I agree that a lackadaisical attitude regarding education on the part of the parents is possible, homeschool or not.
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02/03/2007 01:52:39 AM · #99 |
Originally posted by faery:
Of course there will be parents who are apparently home schooling, who are not doing it justice...but one needs to ask perhaps WHY that parent (your neighbour) is homeschooling: perhaps there are some underlying learning, emotional, psychological, developmental disorders in those children which you don't know about...not all home schooled children are going to be average or gifted students to begin with.
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Knowing the parents: It's not the kids, it's the parents.
I find it really sad.
Message edited by author 2007-02-03 01:53:20.
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02/03/2007 02:07:50 AM · #100 |
Originally posted by faery:
It works BOTH ways...homeschoolers come under a lot of scrutiny, and somehow always need to prove that they are doing an exemplorary job. They have to be more accountable in a way. Their counterparts, the parents in mainstream education, are not asked to be as accountable.
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Evidently, from what I have read elsewhere in this thread, in many areas, homeschoolers are under absolutely no scrutiny whatsoever.
Why would you say that mainstream parents are any less accountable? I could make exactly the opposite point, that homeschoolers are far less accountable than mainstream parents. Ultimately though, when it comes to educating our children, as parents, the only accountability we really have is to ourselves and our kids.
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