Home Schooling vs. Public schooling.

[Mraughh]

Looking for some more insight on Home Schooling, pros and cons to those parents out there who do, have, or are considering HSing their kids. Was talking to a guy at work tonight about it, and his 4 grandkids are home schooled. He dosent like it since he says they dont develop social skills although they do fantastic and are way better educated. I've seen quite a few articles on the benefits of home schooling in the papers lately and i'm curious.

I'll throw this out too, I think we should abolish the current system and let them be run as a business. I think kids would get a much better education, parents would have a choice of where their kids went to school, and we could do away with school tax, letting the parents pay for the cost of schooling instead of everyone having to foot the bill. It would more than likely be cheaper this way than the current system.

[Dash]

If you have the time and motivation, home school is the way to go.

I think our public schools are crap and want my personal values taught to my children, but those of a liberal leftist.

My fiancee and I plan on home schooling. She, along with her entire family was Home schooled and she attends one of the top universities in Florida on a fully paid scholarship.

[Stan Switek]

By home schooling, I think you are depriving your kid of social skills needed for later in life. I went to public & private schools. The public schools were fine. My kids are in public school & thriving.

[JediNord]

It really depends on where you live and if you have the capacity to home school. If you live in an area where the schools are good, public schools can be great. There are also magnet programs that are exceptional (my son is in one). If you home school, it is important to make sure you network with other homeschooling families, have joint lessons and field trips, etc. The lack of socialization is the biggest stumbling block kids face if they are home schooled and then try to function in society, especially going off to college. They may be brilliant, but if they can't work in a group, discuss ideas with their peers, they are set up for failure.

I think the idea of abolishing public school is a frightening one. What that works out to is the only kids that get educated are the ones with money. The ones without even having the option of being educated are exponentially more likely to turn to drugs and crime, end up with children of their own they can't afford to educate, and the cycle continues. The idea that the citizens of a city (or town or whatever) should not have to contribute to the education of the youth of said city is so incredibly short sighted. When those kids your taxes help pay to educate grow up and become a doctor, a lawyer, a law enforcement officer, etc., you benefit from their services and the education you helped provide. Every study shows (far right conservative and far left liberal) that the better people are educated, the more productive they are as citizens. Obviously there are exceptions, but by and large, it is far better to offer the possibility of education to everyone than reserve it for those who can pay for it.

[OFK]

If you have the time and motivation, home school is the way to go.

I think our public schools are crap and want my personal values taught to my children, but those of a liberal leftist.

My fiancee and I plan on home schooling. She, along with her entire family was Home schooled and she attends one of the top universities in Florida on a fully paid scholarship.

Yeah someone has to teach our kids values and history rather than religious and homosexual tolerance. My daughter is in school, and so far it's been pretty decent, but she's only 7. I contemplated homeschool, but do not have that kind of discipline or patience. I am SO not good with kid stuff, all of that arts & crafts crap is not for me and that's all they do in K1 & 1st grade.. I am not the "fun" parent, but rather an anal one.

[OFK]

By home schooling, I think you are depriving your kid of social skills needed for later in life. I went to public & private schools. The public schools were fine. My kids are in public school & thriving.


There is no social deprivation, in fact in some areas, there are mandatory events that homeschooled kids must attend that are directed by the PS. There are also certain requirements that allow more relevant socialization than the PS can offer. The issues involving socialization (or lack) have come a long way.

[JediNord]

Yeah someone has to teach our kids values and history rather than religious and homosexual tolerance.

Yeah... god forbid they should judge someone based on the content of their character... :rolleyes:

[savage4presiden]

By home schooling, I think you are depriving your kid of social skills needed for later in life.

Do you really think learning how to say F*CK you, and mouth off at the teacher all day long are good social skills?

I think public school needs to be reformed. I think more democracy would be better, i.e. more citizen choice. That way if people wanted gay tolerance they could have it. But I guarantee you there would be no gay tolerance if it was up to the majority.

[OFK]

Do you really think learning how to say F*CK you, and mouth off at the teacher are good social skills?


HA! Yeah I was thinking the same thing, just didn't have the balls to say it. My daughter unfortunately has learned some of those words, but not in school per say, but rather on the 8 minute bus ride to and from school when I cannot take her or pick her up. She has never said them, but has told me she has "heard" the bad words. The HS students in our area have a 45 minute bus ride. A lot can happen in 45 mins and has.

[JediNord]

Oh I agree, Savage. There is no discipline left in many of our schools and that has to be fixed befoe anything else gets changed. And it is not just that kids should be afraid to get in trouble (like when many of us were growing up) but they should not even be able to entertain the idea of disrespecting/mouthing off to a teacher or other adult.

More accountability on the parents part would help, too. Kids don't learn to tell a teacher to f-off without that kind of behaviour being displayed at home.

As for "teaching gay tolerance", that isn't the idea. It is teaching respect for ALL people. That should be something everyone should be able to get on board with.

[LvNjPoles]

Home School is simply not for everyone. You have to say to yourself do I want help my children? Answer always YES. But how will you do it? That

[savage4presiden]

As for "teaching gay tolerance", that isn't the idea. It is teaching respect for ALL people. That should be something everyone should be able to get on board with.

Everybody should be able to get along with that; however, schools should not teach respect for all people, that should be taught at home. Parents need to set the example. It should be treated in the same manner as your response to this:

More accountability on the parents part would help, too. Kids don't learn to tell a teacher to f-off without that kind of behaviour being displayed at home.

[JediNord]

Another thing to remember is that some people are just not any good at teaching, even their own kids. You have to be able to recognize this. You are not doing your kids any favors homeschooling if they are not going to be able to learn from you.

[JediNord]

Everybody should be able to get along with that; however, schools should not teach respect for all people, that should be taught at home. Parents need to set the example.

I agree 100%. Respect should be reinforced at school, but the seed of it comes from home.

[OFK]

Oh I agree, Savage. There is no discipline left in many of our schools and that has to be fixed befoe anything else gets changed. And it is not just that kids should be afraid to get in trouble (like when many of us were growing up) but they should not even be able to entertain the idea of disrespecting/mouthing off to a teacher or other adult.

More accountability on the parents part would help, too. Kids don't learn to tell a teacher to f-off without that kind of behaviour being displayed at home.

As for "teaching gay tolerance", that isn't the idea. It is teaching respect for ALL people. That should be something everyone should be able to get on board with.


If that is so, then why not teach "love everyone" rather than categorize people. Right off you are separating, teaching that someone is "different" and different is never good when you are growing up.

The disrespect that kids show to teachers and other authority will determine who they respect in their adult lives. Our frustrations are taken out on them whether you are in LE or not. There are loads of opportunities to change the way things are. Rather than having a cop just screen for weapons when school starts, or patrol for trouble, how about an in school program that will unite kids and cops. Something interactive that will give them some sense of accomplishment and bring a sense of order and a mutual respect. I realize that to a small degree this is already being done, but maybe kicking it up a notch.

[savage4presiden]

Another thing to remember is that some people are just not any good at teaching, even their own kids. You have to be able to recognize this. You are not doing your kids any favors homeschooling if they are not going to be able to learn from you.

That is true. If you homeschool you better be competent.

[Dash]

The home school lessons are setup so that you basically don't need anyone to help you. They walk you through pretty much everything.

My fiancee was home schooled for most of her school life and had no problem getting into UM and getting great grades there aswell.

I am a product of the public school system. I can honestly say that more then half of my teachers were so far 'left', it made me sick. I come from a very democratic family, and I'm the only republican in it. And when I'd do certain reports that involved family or a personal Hero, I'd always use my Pop as a reference. And usually I got the same reply when I announced his profession as an Officer. "Oh, wonderful. Next". Made me sick.

Not only that, but the way they promote the liberal agenda was mind boggling.

Or the fact they taugh Evolution as fact and provided NO other alternatives.

And how can they force people to accept something that is morally wrong as 'okay'? I don't punish anyone for their personal practices, but it is by no means 'okay' to do such things. Tolerance destroys moral value.

I refuse to have my child brought up in that system.

Thankfully, my gal wants to be a stay at home mom and home school our children. Unfortunately, most people don't have that option.

Then again, home schooling doesn't work for everyone. Some children just can't manage it. They can't focus or aren't intelligent enough to keep up with the studies.

my .25 cents.

- Jordan :p

[savage4presiden]

Dash! .25 cents! Not .02 cents? How do you come up with all the money!? :eek:
I agree.

Tolerance is the virtue of a man without convictions.-G.K Chesterton

[Delta784]

I know someone who was homeschooled, he had his Bachelor's degree at 18, his Master's at 21, and he should finish his Ph.D. well before he's 30.

One of the reasons I live where I do is that the elementary school system is so highly rated, it's like #2 in the entire state of MA. Still, I'll be watching their schoolwork like a hawk. The first time I see "Heather Has Two Mommies", or "Dad's Special Friend", I'm pulling them out and putting them in a Christian school.

I want my kids to be taught reading, writing, math, and other academic subjects at school. Leave the social education to me and my wife.

[OFK]

I know someone who was homeschooled, he had his Bachelor's degree at 18, his Master's at 21, and he should finish his Ph.D. well before he's 30.

One of the reasons I live where I do is that the elementary school system is so highly rated, it's like #2 in the entire state of MA. Still, I'll be watching their schoolwork like a hawk. The first time I see "Heather Has Two Mommies", or "Dad's Special Friend", I'm pulling them out and putting them in a Christian school.

I want my kids to be taught reading, writing, math, and other academic subjects at school. Leave the social education to me and my wife.


[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v468/OsamaFKerry/tango3.gif
Be careful, Christians aka Republicans are evil! :D

[Stan Switek]

Do you really think learning how to say F*CK you, and mouth off at the teacher all day long are good social skills?

They do not address the teachers in that manner where my kids attend school.

[tallmike]

Or the fact they taugh Evolution as fact and provided NO other alternatives.

Which alternatives should be taught exactly?

If you say creationism then that would be social/religious indoctrination, I think we can all agree that would not be good. Right?

I do not think teachers or schools in general should be forcing their social agendas on kids, whether that agenda be from the left or the right.

[tallmike]

I think public school needs to be reformed. I think more democracy would be better, i.e. more citizen choice. That way if people wanted gay tolerance they could have it. But I guarantee you there would be no gay tolerance if it was up to the majority.
If it was up the majority there wouldnt be a lot of things, like integrated schools.

Forced social agendas are not good but either is mob mentality teaching.

[Delta784]

If it was up the majority there wouldnt be a lot of things, like integrated schools.

You're wrong about integrated schools, but the last I checked, the majority rules in a democracy. Or, it's supposed to, until our unelected, unaccountable courts get involved. :rolleyes:

[savage4presiden]

Which alternatives should be taught exactly?

If you say creationism then that would be social/religious indoctrination, I think we can all agree that would not be good. Right?

I do not think teachers or schools in general should be forcing their social agendas on kids, whether that agenda be from the left or the right.

They don't need to be taught as alternatives. They could simply be taught as opposing viewpoints. That could go a long way in helping to teach critical thinking. Which too few people have these days.

[tallmike]

You're wrong about integrated schools, but the last I checked, the majority rules in a democracy. Or, it's supposed to, until our unelected, unaccountable courts get involved. :rolleyes:
We are not a democracy, we are a constitutional republic where the freedoms of individuals are protected from the will of the majority.

The courts are elected thru our representatives. If you dont like the judges that get in, dont vote for those who appointed or approved the judges next election.

[tallmike]

They don't need to be taught as alternatives. They could simply be taught as opposing viewpoints. That could go a long way in helping to teach critical thinking. Which too few people have these days.
Where does it stop? The explanation of our existence by christianity or do the ancient religions count too?

Show evidence to support your theory and it will be more widely accepted by the scientific and educational communities. One books claims are not enough evidence to support the teaching of an idea to all school children, evidence is required.

When folks claim dinosaur bones are simply something to trick us, placed by god as a giant hoax or test of faith it doesnt go far to validate the book they wish to see taught.

[Isla_]

wow, hot topic! I figured since I am a product of both home and private school, I could weigh in and give my two cents.

Why homeschooling worked for me;

I LIKE having less people to deal with during my day
More in depth studies
I created my own schedule
Curriculum was not 20 years old and was interesting and relevant (education was not put on hold to repair aging buildings either)
I like my innocence
No peer pressure

Why homeschooling did not work for me;

I am not very disciplined
I would often disreguard my schoolwork in favor of my jobs ( I started working at 16ish)

What I am like today;

I respect authority, my mom is my best friend and my dad was the standard by which I measured all potential boyfriends
I LOVE to learn and took two years of college
I love to read
I am not a hermit, I am married, have a son and a baby on the way and I have friends too, in fact I was involved in several volunteer organizations through the years
I am a christian with strong morals, I didn't need anyone TELLING me to be nice to people, in the Bible it says to love people, so I do.

All in all, I think I am just an average girl

[savage4presiden]

Where does it stop? The explanation of our existence by christianity or do the ancient religions count too?

Just take the major religions:Christianity, Judiasm, etc., and teach the basic principals of how they explain existence. Nothing more, nothing less. But you can still believe in your ancient religion if you so prefer.


Show evidence to support your theory and it will be more widely accepted by the scientific and educational communities. One books claims are not enough evidence to support the teaching of an idea to all school children, evidence is required.

Where is the evidence for evolution. Answer: there is none. People take evolution on faith. People take creationism on faith as well. All explanations for existence can only be taken based on your own belief/faith in the accuracy of them.


When folks claim dinosaur bones are simply something to trick us, placed by god as a giant hoax or test of faith it doesnt go far to validate the book they wish to see taught.

I don't wish to see the bible taught. As far as I am concerned you can go to church if you want to. I don't now where you're getting your ideas though, they seem kinda crazy. :D

[savage4presiden]

We are not a democracy, we are a constitutional republic where the freedoms of individuals are protected from the will of the majority.

The courts are elected thru our representatives. If you dont like the judges that get in, dont vote for those who appointed or approved the judges next election.

BS. The only protection we have constitutionally is protection from government infringement on peoples' rights. And in my estimation, we've been infinged on for quite some time, i.e. in my public schools.

[Styx]

I dont have the energy to prove or disprove anything...to each his own.
My daughter will go to private school like I did. Case closed.

[JediNord]

The home school lessons are setup so that you basically don't need anyone to help you. They walk you through pretty much everything.

wow... talk about taking the joy out of education... i still stand by my belief that someone with the skill to teach is far superior to someone with a manual...


Not only that, but the way they promote the liberal agenda was mind boggling.

yeah... all that social responsibility and accountability really chaps my hide, too...

Or the fact they taugh Evolution as fact and provided NO other alternatives.

might as well throw in the alternatives to gravity, too...


Then again, home schooling doesn't work for everyone. Some children just can't manage it. They can't focus or aren't intelligent enough to keep up with the studies.

very true...

wait... did I just agree with you??? :p

[Mraughh]

Thanks for all the responses so far, its been enlightening.

I don't have any kids right now, but i've been debating the merits of private, public, home schooling for the future. I'm a product of public schooling myself, fortunately, our school was extremely small and in a very rural, conservative region, only 69 kids in the graduating class. Class size ran in the 20s, so we had the opportunity for a very good education since there was much more teacher interaction. When I went into the Army and saw the military school system, it was similar to ours, small classes, good educations.
Then I became a cop and saw the public schooling system in the city. That was absolutely horrible. Just about every officer on the dept with kids sent them to private schools since they couldnt stand the public system there if they lived in the city. Others moved to another county where the school system was infinitely better.
I suppose what you really have to look at is the area that you live in, and how the educators are in that system. I dont think I could ever send my kids to a school with class sizes in the 100+ range. From seeing what the city public schooling is like, its more of a babysitting job for the teachers rather than actually trying to educate them.

On to privatization of schools. I'll have to disagree with affording everyone an education, there would be niche markets filled for low income families. Look at all the different businesses in our country, they cover all income levels. From Wal-mart to Sachs of 5th Avenue, McDonalds to Emerils. It'll never happen of course, unions are too powerful, but it would be nice to shop for a school for my kids.

[Delta784]

We are not a democracy, we are a constitutional republic where the freedoms of individuals are protected from the will of the majority.

That is a perfect example of a very dangerous trend I've seen lately, that people have been brainwashed into thinking that the courts are there to "protect us" from the will of the majority. Don't you realize how dangerous that type of thinking is?

Go back to Civics 101. We live in a republic with democratically (small "d") elected representatives. It's their job to represent the interests of their constituents.....the MAJORITY that voted for them. :rolleyes:

[Dash]

Majority rules. If you don't like it, goto europe. They love you. :rolleyes:

[lawdog1971]

Personally, I think home schooling is a joke. It's just another method for hypersensitive parents to further shelter their children from the realities of life and creates an enormous deficit in not only academic performance, but also social development which is just as important in rudimentary life skills.

If you pull your kids from school because you're anti-gay, anti-evolution and anti-everything-else-under-the-sun, you may as well dig a trench around your house, fill it with alligator-infested water, cut the power to your house and trade your car in for a horse-drawn wagon. Better yet, you can stick your fingers in your ears and just keep saying "I'm not listening, I'm not listening!" until everyone else goes away.

[Delta784]

Personally, I think home schooling is a joke. It's just another method for hypersensitive parents to further shelter their children from the realities of life and creates an enormous deficit in not only academic performance, but also social development which is just as important in rudimentary life skills.

Ummmm....wrong on all counts.

http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-294.html

Your wouldn't happen to have any public school teachers in your family, would you? Because what you wrote is straight out the teacher's union handbook. :rolleyes:

If you pull your kids from school because you're anti-gay, anti-evolution and anti-everything-else-under-the-sun, you may as well dig a trench around your house, fill it with alligator-infested water, cut the power to your house and trade your car in for a horse-drawn wagon. Better yet, you can stick your fingers in your ears and just keep saying "I'm not listening, I'm not listening!" until everyone else goes away.

Yes, God forbid that parents should take an interest in their children's education!! Just hand them over to the government, and don't ask any questions!!! :rolleyes:

[lawdog1971]

Ummmm....wrong on all counts.

http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-294.html

Your wouldn't happen to have any public school teachers in your family, would you? Because what you wrote is straight out the teacher's union handbook. :rolleyes:



Yes, God forbid that parents should take an interest in their children's education!! Just hand them over to the government, and don't ask any questions!!! :rolleyes:

Wow. You inserted a link to a website...now THAT's concrete evidence. I'll even throw in a little "roll eyes" smiley of my own to return the favor... :rolleyes:

And there's a monumental difference between taking an interest in your kids' education and controlling every thought that goes into their heads. You're clearly a proponent of the latter. Since when does sending your kids to school suddenly preclude you from taking an active part in their lives and learning experiences?

But hey, it's your family so you do what you'd like. I, for one, know that I'm not qualified to teach my kids physics or calculus and can only offer so much debate on the underlying themes of Moby Dick and Catcher in the Rye . But then again, I suspect you won't let your kids read the latter for fear it promotes vulgarity and immorality.

[Isla_]

Ummmm....wrong on all counts.

http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-294.html

Your wouldn't happen to have any public school teachers in your family, would you? Because what you wrote is straight out the teacher's union handbook. :rolleyes:



Yes, God forbid that parents should take an interest in their children's education!! Just hand them over to the government, and don't ask any questions!!! :rolleyes:


Delta......will you be my hero?? lol
I was going to say the same thing....homeschooling should be about the decision to be involved in their childs education. I am sure for some people, they see homeschooling as a way to control their children's thoughts, but those people are not as common as the ones who just want to be involved.

Not everyone who is "anti", is millitant about it, they just don't agree and that is allowed,to not agree with someone.
Not everyone who wants to teach their children their values and morals is evil either.

[Jellybean400]

If you pull your kids from school because you're anti-gay, anti-evolution and anti-everything-else-under-the-sun, you may as well dig a trench around your house, fill it with alligator-infested water, cut the power to your house and trade your car in for a horse-drawn wagon. Better yet, you can stick your fingers in your ears and just keep saying "I'm not listening, I'm not listening!" until everyone else goes away.

Excellent post; I agree. Some people really want to shut their kids' eyes to the real world as long as they can. You can teach your kids your moral values, even if they're in public school.

But i also agree that it's the family's choice, if they want to homeschool, then fine. It's not for everyone.

And yes, i have public teachers in my family. Three of them, all retired/close to retirement now, after nearly 30 years of service each. One sister who, late in her career, taught Reading Recovery, and helped many kids read for the first time, with one-on-one help...she took her job very seriously, and i'm proud of that. Another sister who taught K/Pre-K...and i'm happy to say she was the first teacher many kids ever had. She put her heart into it, lots of her own time and her own money, and had so many kids come back over the years and let her know how much they appreciated her. I'm proud of that, too.

[Delta784]

Wow. You inserted a link to a website...now THAT's concrete evidence. I'll even throw in a little "roll eyes" smiley of my own to return the favor... :rolleyes:

Do you know anything about the Cato Institute? That's a rhetorical question, because you obviously don't. That's not a free Angelfire webpage thrown together by some idiot, it's a peer reviewed article, complete with cited references.

And there's a monumental difference between taking an interest in your kids' education and controlling every thought that goes into their heads. You're clearly a proponent of the latter. Since when does sending your kids to school suddenly preclude you from taking an active part in their lives and learning experiences?

You think I want to control every thought that goes into my children's heads, because I don't want them exposed to a leftist, socialist agenda? Someone call Merriam-Webster, we officially have a new definition for "hyperbole".

You see, lawdog, the lefties have figured out that they'll never win at the ballot box, and they're starting to lose the courts, so the new tactic is to convert the children. Sorry.....not my son, not my daughter.

But hey, it's your family so you do what you'd like. I, for one, know that I'm not qualified to teach my kids physics or calculus and can only offer so much debate on the underlying themes of Moby Dick and Catcher in the Rye . But then again, I suspect you won't let your kids read the latter for fear it promotes vulgarity and immorality.

I don't plan on homeschooling my kids, simply because I don't have the time. My kids will, however, go to a private school the first time I get a whiff of "Queer Day", instructions on how to put on condoms, or any other whacko things I've read of that have happened in public ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS!!!! :mad:

[savage4presiden]

Delta, you're 100 percent right.

Lawdog:
In defense of homeschooling: When a mind is young it can be shaped and molded by whomever it is entrusted to. Will you entrust the mind of your child to a stranger? Will you risk that mind becoming corrupted? Homeschooling is the only way you can shape that mind and know the eventual outcome of all your hard work. Homeschooling is not about controlling thoughts, it is about stimulating brain activity and creativity, much of which has been lost in the public schools.

[lawdog1971]

Do you know anything about the Cato Institute? That's a rhetorical question, because you obviously don't. That's not a free Angelfire webpage thrown together by some idiot, it's a peer reviewed article, complete with cited references.



You think I want to control every thought that goes into my children's heads, because I don't want them exposed to a leftist, socialist agenda? Someone call Merriam-Webster, we officially have a new definition for "hyperbole".

You see, lawdog, the lefties have figured out that they'll never win at the ballot box, and they're starting to lose the courts, so the new tactic is to convert the children. Sorry.....not my son, not my daughter.




I don't plan on homeschooling my kids, simply because I don't have the time. My kids will, however, go to a private school the first time I get a whiff of "Queer Day", instructions on how to put on condoms, or any other whacko things I've read of that have happened in public ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS!!!! :mad:

You citing the Cato Institute means about as much to me as me citing Dr. Phil...

Like I said before, you can do whatever you want with your kids. But don't try to masquerade your concern for their well-being with arguments over curriculum. You've clearly shown that yours is a political issue driven by a fear of "liberal" social agenda trying to brainwash your child. You said it yourself...the responsibility for moral development lies with the parents, not schools. So if your kids are suddenly acting out in ways you don't approve, why do you insist on blaming someone else? Why not look in the mirror and consider the possibility that you may be doing an inadequate job as a role-model?? Most of the right-wing fundamentalists in this country still managed to arrive at their value system despite the public school system you fear, just as the left-wing socialists did using the same school system.

And don't bother trying to convince me that you want free-thinking kids and are not out to control their thoughts. You want clones of yourself who think, act and talk like you. Otherwise, you would accept the possibility that your kids may have ideas that are vastly different than your own...they may NOT frown upon abortion and gay marriage. Hell, they may even get a tattoo! Then what?? Will you rain hellfire and damnation down upon them and sue the liberal school system for corrupting the incorruptible?

And to the last poster...creativity can't be stimulated without thoughtful debate and opposing viewpoints. How effective can debate be if your kids only get to see one side of the coin? At least, if you don't agree with something they've learned in school, you can point out an alternative viewpoint at home. Who's going to provide a different perspective when they have no where else to go to learn? Better yet...who are you going to ALLOW to offer a different perspective??

[Delta784]

You citing the Cato Institute means about as much to me as me citing Dr. Phil...

I'm starting to think Dr. Phil is more in-tune with your intellectual capabilities, such as they are.

Like I said before, you can do whatever you want with your kids. But don't try to masquerade your concern for their well-being with arguments over curriculum.

Elementary school curriculum should include math, reading, and writing. As long as public schools stick with that, they'll have no problem with me. When they start trying to slip-in sex ed, free condoms, and instructions on how to give a blow job, they'll have a big problem with me.

You've clearly shown that yours is a political issue driven by a fear of "liberal" social agenda trying to brainwash your child.

And exactly what do you call the attempts to teach sex to grade-schoolers, a NON-political issue?? :rolleyes:

You said it yourself...the responsibility for moral development lies with the parents, not schools.

Yes, so leave it to us!!

So if your kids are suddenly acting out in ways you don't approve, why do you insist on blaming someone else? Why not look in the mirror and consider the possibility that you may be doing an inadequate job as a role-model??

When my kids act out in ways I don't approve, I can promise you they won't make a habit of it. I take responsibility for my kids, and GASP.....I actually discipline them when they don't behave!

Most of the right-wing fundamentalists in this country still managed to arrive at their value system despite the public school system you fear, just as the left-wing socialists did using the same school system.

I'm not a fundamentalist of either persuasion, just the teachers' union's worst nightmare.....a parent who takes a keen interest in what my children are taught. In any event, the adults of today weren't exposed to the garbage that the left is attempting to push on kids these days.

And don't bother trying to convince me that you want free-thinking kids and are not out to control their thoughts. You want clones of yourself who think, act and talk like you. Otherwise, you would accept the possibility that your kids may have ideas that are vastly different than your own...they may NOT frown upon abortion and gay marriage.

This may come as a shock, but gay marriage and abortion are NOT appropriate subjects for elementary school kids. I want my kids to be......kids!!! When they're adults, they can make their own decisions.

Hell, they may even get a tattoo! Then what?? Will you rain hellfire and damnation down upon them and sue the liberal school system for corrupting the incorruptible?

Will the tattoo match the one I have on my right shoulder? OH, SNAP!!!!! :rolleyes:

BTW....you never answered my question....what affiliation do you, your family, or friends have with school teachers? I know there's a connection, somewhere.

[BrickCop]

I have nothing against home schooling but I could never do it. Besides the time issue I just don't feel I'm qualified. The teacher says he is a model student in class while at home he can be more than a handful. :D Personally I (and my son) would have trouble seperating the "home" environment from the classroom environment if he was home schooled. I see the strides he has made in school (2nd grade). I'm lucky in that the public school system in my town is pretty good.

[lawdog1971]

"OH SNAP"??? You're kidding, right? Hard to argue with "oh, snap" so I guess I'll cut my losses now.

I for the record, I have no affiliation to school teachers. Neither of my parents are teachers, nor is anyone in my family. The closest thing to a teacher is my father-in-law who was a college professor...but I guess college academics should be home-schooled as well in your cozy little sheltered world.

[biggesto]

I hope you don't mind if I chime in here. I have enjoyed the discussion so far as it has been similar to many discussions I have been involved with. I am a teacher, and before someone writes and says, "But in another thread you said..." I am also a Corrections Officer and a Reserve Road Officer.

Public school is not for every child and home school is not for every child. Each parent needs to look at their own child's unique personality nad gifting and decide what is best for that child. I have encouraged some parents to home school and helped provide them with resources to make it a worthwhile endeavor. THe results have been terrific. I have also seen some home school situations that have been nothing more than glorified babysitting and have created monster children. The parents then dump these kids back into the school system and blame public education when the kids cannot succeed.

Yes, public schooling does need to be overhauled. For those of you into sports, a good analogy is... Imagine you are a football coach. You are given every child in the neighborhood and told that you must make them an excellent athlete, no excuses. When each child is 8, they must master certain skills regardless of interest, past experience in football, athletic prowess, or home support. You must have them ready to go on to advanced skills in a certain amount of time. You are not allowed to discipline them and must listen to all experts in the field.

OR a good medical analogy..as a doctor you must ensure that each of your patients gets well, no exceptions, regardless of whether they follow your orders or not.

Please do not lump all teachers or schools into one category anymore than you would lump all officers or departments together. Yes, there are some pretty rotten teachers who are basically in it for the months off in the summer. but, just like Law Enforcement, many of us did not get into this profession for the money or the glamour. Most of my friends with less education than I have are making three to four times as much as I do.

But back to public school vs home school. If you choose home school, try to get with other families who home school. Create a cohort group to share ideas and resources. There are wonderful organizations to support home schooling. You have the perfect time to go on valuable field trips and teach to the moment for what your kids are interested in. Home school will be as successful as the time you invest in it.

At some point I would put home schooled kids back into public school, for there mere fact that they need the experiences of dealing with a variety of people and opinions. Public schools are caught in the middle of trying to meet the desires of every subculture in our society. We cannot please everyone and in so doing we pretty much please nobody. You have seen how people in this thread disagree, now magnify that by the population in your area and you see why nobody is happy with schools.

I'll stop because I don't want to sound defensive as a teacher. Teachers are in much the same situation that law enforcement is in, there is just no way to win in the eyes of the public.

Good luck for those of you who have kids in any type of schools. It is a daunting task to get kids raised today and my hats are off to all of you who do it. If anyone wants to discuss education issues, feel free to e me.

[Delta784]

"OH SNAP"??? You're kidding, right?

Duuuuhhhh......ya think? Wow, you're sharp, nothing gets past you. I thought for sure that would be taken seriously after I put the "rolleyes" right afterwards. Are you sure you're not a detective??

...but I guess college academics should be home-schooled as well in your cozy little sheltered world.

You obviously didn't read my first post in this thread, or my profile. I know a college instructor who was homeschooled, he should have his Ph.D. well before he's 30 years old.

[Dash]

Not to sound totally right wing, but over my dead body will my children be taught it's natural and an okay practice to be gay. I have nothing against gay people but I do not approve of it at all.

I refuse to have my child taught that hating your country is okay and that europe has it right so we should emulate them.

My children will also not be taught that we evolved from some pile of goop.

The liberal agenda is so obvious in Florida's public schools that only a moron would allow such behavior to have influence on their children.

Sex is not something a 10 year old should know about, let alone be taught how to do properly. That's a birds and bees talk that should be left to the parent because they'll know better then the school will on when their child is ready for that talk.

Can you tell I realllllllly don't like the public school system? :confused:

[savage4presiden]

"OH SNAP"??? You're kidding, right? Hard to argue with "oh, snap" so I guess I'll cut my losses now.

I for the record, I have no affiliation to school teachers. Neither of my parents are teachers, nor is anyone in my family. The closest thing to a teacher is my father-in-law who was a college professor...but I guess college academics should be home-schooled as well in your cozy little sheltered world.


You have one hell of a chip on your shoulder :rolleyes: . I bet you had to take a nap after you wrote that post :rolleyes: . BTW... homeschooling is on the rise in America. More and more parents are seeing it as a viable alternative to public school and here's the catch: they're not all ultra-conservative white christians. It may be hard for you to comprehend, but even liberals are turning to homeschooling for the same reasons conservatives are. But hey, you can give your kid a gutter education if you want :rolleyes: .

[concon02]

Looking for some more insight on Home Schooling, pros and cons to those parents out there who do, have, or are considering HSing their kids. Was talking to a guy at work tonight about it, and his 4 grandkids are home schooled. He dosent like it since he says they dont develop social skills although they do fantastic and are way better educated. I've seen quite a few articles on the benefits of home schooling in the papers lately and i'm curious.

I'll throw this out too, I think we should abolish the current system and let them be run as a business. I think kids would get a much better education, parents would have a choice of where their kids went to school, and we could do away with school tax, letting the parents pay for the cost of schooling instead of everyone having to foot the bill. It would more than likely be cheaper this way than the current system.
I homeschooled for 5 1/2 years of my pre-college schooling career. I've also been to public school and private school. I think overall going to school and developing good social skills and disciplining yourself to get up early and interacting with people on a daily basis growing up is just as important, if not more important than a good education. I mean obviously being well educated is GREAT, but really I don't know that you'd be THAT much more educated homeschooling than going to school. I do think you have an opportunity to learn more and be able take more time out to really understand things as opposed to blowing through chapters at school just trying to get the knowledge you'll need for the finals. Really it depends though. I'm sure some homeschoolers aren't doing crap. Also, an advantage of homeschooling is you can really pursue areas of interest to you and still get credits for it. On top of that, you aren't really bound by a schedule. You can do school when it works for you and you can even go on vacation or what not and still do your school work without fear of falling behind other classmates and what not.

Overall, I have enjoyed going to school more. It just gets really mundane going day to day being all to yourself and doing school especially if you're brought up that way, it's gonna be harder to meet people. If you start off going to school and develop friendships and then maybe start homeschooling a couple years it won't be as bad. But yeah... that's my 2 cents on the matter.

P.S. I don't mean to stereotype but a lot of the homeschooling kids I've known have been pretty weird...

[Mraughh]

Pittsburgh Post Gazette had a big article yesterday about the middle schools in the burgh. Quite interesting results which they got from the PA dept of education. These schools are located in the Homewood section of Pittsburgh which is predominately black. The first three schools are small specialty schools, very small classes and alot of teacher/student interaction. They are quasi-private schools. The last two are the traditional public middle schools (grade 6)
Reading % Math % Violent Incident Promo
rate

Homewood Montessori 85.8 66.7 0 100%

Frick International 65.8 61.1 31 100%

Schiller classical 61.1 44.5 19 100%

Milliones Middle 39.7 15.8 62 92%

Columbus Middle 23 14.6 66 93%

the state threshold standards for reading is 45% and math is 35%
promotion rate is for passing on to the next grade and the percentages are the scores on the public tests all the kids have to take, the average.

www.pde.state.pa.us

[Bklngirl]

I teach in 2 colleges for a very long time.A person learns a lot more from school than just book knowledge;social skills,the concept of authority,that you have to be in a certain placeat a certain time,to be part ot a team,that the world doesnt revolve around you,how to deal with obnoxious people,on and on.I know someone who was home schooled.He has no friends,no social life,he only interactswith people when he goes to work.On his day off,he cant wait to get back to work,very sad.

[Delta784]

I teach in 2 colleges for a very long time.A person learns a lot more from school than just book knowledge;social skills,the concept of authority,that you have to be in a certain placeat a certain time,to be part ot a team,that the world doesnt revolve around you,how to deal with obnoxious people,on and on.I know someone who was home schooled.He has no friends,no social life,he only interactswith people when he goes to work.On his day off,he cant wait to get back to work,very sad.

You obviously don't teach English.

[Puget Sound]

You obviously don't teach English.
Seriously.

Where were these colleges? Croatia?

[Isla_]

About the whole "no social life" issue, I think one could argue that the answer lies in the "nurture vs. nature" realm. If one has a personality that lends itself to spending time alone, they might find homeschooling more enjoyable. If they are the type of person who loves the spotlight, they won't have much fun if all they do is stay indoors and read their textbooks. I do not think that school forces a person to change their true personality. As far as I know, there are people who are highly unsocial, who can't wait for the work week to start again, who in fact have gone to public schools. Why do people pay more attention to the fact that there are quiet or shy people who are or have been homeschooled? I am sure that there are plenty "socially challenged" people in colleges even, maybe they like being that way though, just because one person is happy with their way of life does not mean that everyone else must adopt their way of living, and I think that is what the heart of homeschooling is all about, it is one more option available for someone who thinks outside the proverbial box.
It honestly bothers me that there are still, even after many years of sucessful homeschooling done all over the nation, people think that children who learn at home are locked indoors, alone with only their mindwashing textbook.
I say,if people are going to argue either way about an issue, make sure you know your facts, and more than one or two.

[concon02]

About the whole "no social life" issue, I think one could argue that the answer lies in the "nurture vs. nature" realm. If one has a personality that lends itself to spending time alone, they might find homeschooling more enjoyable. If they are the type of person who loves the spotlight, they won't have much fun if all they do is stay indoors and read their textbooks. I do not think that school forces a person to change their true personality. As far as I know, there are people who are highly unsocial, who can't wait for the work week to start again, who in fact have gone to public schools. Why do people pay more attention to the fact that there are quiet or shy people who are or have been homeschooled? I am sure that there are plenty "socially challenged" people in colleges even, maybe they like being that way though, just because one person is happy with their way of life does not mean that everyone else must adopt their way of living, and I think that is what the heart of homeschooling is all about, it is one more option available for someone who thinks outside the proverbial box.
It honestly bothers me that there are still, even after many years of sucessful homeschooling done all over the nation, people think that children who learn at home are locked indoors, alone with only their mindwashing textbook.
I say,if people are going to argue either way about an issue, make sure you know your facts, and more than one or two.
You have good points there, but I know from experience and knowing others that a kids social skills a lot of the time aren't up to par with the rest of their peers when being raised up in a homeschooling environment.

[savage4presiden]

You have good points there, but I know from experience and knowing others that a kids social skills a lot of the time aren't up to par with the rest of their peers when being raised up in a homeschooling environment.

You're right. They're way higher. ::I know from personal experience and knowing others that kids social skills a lot of the time are are up to par with the rest of their peers when being raised up in a homeschooling environment:: When they're homeschooled they interact with adults more often. I have observed homeschooled children (12-14 YOA) that can carry on an intelligent conversation with someone more than three times their age. You don't learn how to communicate like that when your mind is being numbed and dumbed in a classroom.

[lawdog1971]

Not to sound totally right wing, but over my dead body will my children be taught it's natural and an okay practice to be gay. I have nothing against gay people but I do not approve of it at all.

I refuse to have my child taught that hating your country is okay and that europe has it right so we should emulate them.

My children will also not be taught that we evolved from some pile of goop.

The liberal agenda is so obvious in Florida's public schools that only a moron would allow such behavior to have influence on their children.

Sex is not something a 10 year old should know about, let alone be taught how to do properly. That's a birds and bees talk that should be left to the parent because they'll know better then the school will on when their child is ready for that talk.

Can you tell I realllllllly don't like the public school system? :confused:

Liberal agenda in Florida? Outside of South Florida, the entire state is virtually Republican...and even that is to the exclusion of Miami-Dade which has a huge Republican base. We have a conservative Republican as governor, gave our electoral votes to the Republican presidential candidate and just voted a conservative Republican into the US Senate. I'm not sure how overwhelming the liberal agenda is here.

That being said, my original point, which is obviously lost on the homeschooling cheerleading squad, was that public/private school does not diminish your ability to instill whatever values you want on to your children. If you think homosexuality is unnatural, then that's your right and you can teach your kids the same thing. (On a personal side note, there are way too many flamboyantly gay men to convince me they "chose" to be gay.) The same holds true for religion/evolution/morality, etc. You have just as much, if not MORE, responsibility to guide your children through the school system as if you were to teach them from home.

You obviously didn't read my first post in this thread, or my profile. I know a college instructor who was homeschooled, he should have his Ph.D. well before he's 30 years old.

I'm sorry I didn't feed into your narcissism by reading your post or profile. Frankly, I didn't care enough to do either. My first post in this thread was not targetted at anyone specific but rather my own personal perspective, so I'm not sure why you think it necessary for me to research you. And you clearly didn't read into the sarcasm of my last post. The insinuation was that you think college itself should be home-schooled, not that college students can't come from home-schooling backgrounds.

And since I have nothing more to gain by going back and forth ad nauseum on this topic, I'll gracefully bow out leaving you with the last word so you can post another insipid rolly-eyed response with nicely placed little gems like "Detective", "Oh, snap" and "Duhhhh." I won't know. If you'd like to continue debating, feel free to PM me. I'd rather not waste any more space on this thread.

[Isla_]

Mraughh, here are my two cents. You said that you were looking for the pro's and con's of HSing, to sum it up, I think that homeschooling in a viable option for people, not ALL people, but people nonetheless.
Obviously this is a hot topic, I think it boils down to what is good for each individual child and parent/teacher who is involved. Right now I am in the process of researching myself and many other aspects of homeschooling for my own child who is two. I would like to address and readdress some issues that have been brought up and some that might not have been.

#1 "Homeschooled children have no social life/aren't allowed to be kids

You get what you put into it, if, as a parent/teacher, you do not provide the many outlets available to your child, you might end up with someone who is not a party animal or prefers to stay at home, but in my opinion, in this case, the nature of the child would win over the nurturing of the parent. They will be who they will be. It might have appeared to some that I was unsocial and that was a product of my schooling, but in fact homeschooling provided a safe haven for me since my nature is that of being around a few people at a time. (no parties please!) My sister however, loves being with groups of people. Does that make one better than the other? I don't think so, we are just different from each other.

#2 Homeschooling is just an excuse to keep more control over your kids thoughts and actions

My opinion on this, public schools, movies, commercials, etc, are allowed and encouraged to influence and indoctrinate my child, why can't I? Is is really so terrible for me to teach my child the ten commandments? To love those who hate you? To hold yourself to a higher standard? I don't see these things as having a negative impact on my child, so if I have the opportunity to spend extra time teaching these things, I might just take it.

#3 The attitude that once you start homeschooling, you are forever locked into that choice

PUUUULEEEEESE...... that is just a mean scare tactic used by people who don't understand the nature of homeschooling. It is a choice, and like many choices we have today, it can be changed or modified to better fit ones needs.

I would caution you not to assume that just because a child is homeschooled that they will be a better achiever, this could set you up to fail. Homeschooling is only another option, not a guarantee for sucess. I have been very fortunate to have some shining examples of homeschooled kids, but I have also see those who give homeschooling a black eye. Sucess depends on the people involved. Seriously research what it takes to homeschool, look into support groups, books that are both for and against, look at your lifestyle, etc. Make your own list of what you like and dislike about homeschooling and make your own personal choice.
I have more to say on the matter, but this reply will turn into a book..... :D

[Mraughh]

thanks Isla much obliged :)

[Isla_]

no problem :)
I thought I would also pass along the title of a book I am starting, "A Mind at a Time" It doesn't really have anything to do with homeschooling vs. public, but it is really informative reguarding childrens' strengths/weaknesses and how to help a child suceed in (any) school.

[frank]

I know a freind who is home schooling and her daughter is a smart gal.I don't know how it will help her if she ever wanted to go to college though.I personally think that schools need to teach math history...But busness and saving money should be top priority in this world now.History is great, but does not teach the concepts of living in this world.Self relience and self preservation.Stuff they would teach in the boy/girl scouts.How to build good relationships and staying out of trouble.More drug classes, on how to stay away and more on the sickness, with of transmitting sickness with unprotected sex.This is a problem in this world.They do not teach this enough. Basics is what they could work more at.Then as they get older add the other stuff as extras.When I was in school, the stuff they are learning now is not what they taught back then.I also think school could be year round and summer vacations in increments, so it would be easier for kids to get back with it when off their vacations.Self protection,If kids where taught some self defence yearly, The type you use your brain not your fists and guns! We would be able to handle a situation when one comes up.........Verbly hopefully not defencively.Keepring yourself healthy,wealthy and safe. My top picks for extras would be: Art,Music, Writing,Technology,Math,computers,Money and Health and building Relations...Which would include safety Police work and if it had to be our world protection.
History would be a mixture of the learning of that item chosen. College would be the part where all the other stuff would be the point of those not spoken.

They should have a College for Nascar,flying,trains,shooting,animal raising,ect....ect.... and such!,so if some kid would want to be a race car driver.....They could have specail colleges just for that type of stuff,so us who want the special things we see,but know we will probably never have,Could have a chance to try that special activity.IF I was Younger Nascar would be what I would do.Becasue I know I could put them behind me in the dirt!...Just a thought...not a fact guy's, so don't get your rotating lights ready to gear up! :D They could have a college with just that stuff and cheap for us who can't efford collegs like UCLA.

[horne80]

I went to public school from K-5 to 2nd grade, was homeschooled from 2nd-7th (that's 5 years for you non-math types) and then went back to school in 8th grade till I graduated.

During my time at home, I managed to learn two programming languages by the age of 12 and mastered the piano. While you are thinking "What good is that", I'll tell you.. It helped accelerate my thinking skills, and now I'm smarter than everyone else.

Heh, kidding. Still though, while I didn't necessarily enjoy being homeschooled after the first few years, looking back for me, it was the best thing that happened.

So to each his own. I think that if you have the ability to sit down and teach your child based on curriculum, I'd do it. I used Abecka actually. Point being, I didn't have any problems meshing with people in school once I returned. People made fun of me for knowing stuff about computers, but luckily I'm a sarcastic ******* and people realized picking on me was like booing at the special olympics... pointless.

[Isla_]

I went to public school from K-5 to 2nd grade, was homeschooled from 2nd-7th (that's 5 years for you non-math types) and then went back to school in 8th grade till I graduated.

During my time at home, I managed to learn two programming languages by the age of 12 and mastered the piano. While you are thinking "What good is that", I'll tell you.. It helped accelerate my thinking skills, and now I'm smarter than everyone else.

Heh, kidding. Still though, while I didn't necessarily enjoy being homeschooled after the first few years, looking back for me, it was the best thing that happened.

So to each his own. I think that if you have the ability to sit down and teach your child based on curriculum, I'd do it. I used Abecka actually. Point being, I didn't have any problems meshing with people in school once I returned. People made fun of me for knowing stuff about computers, but luckily I'm a sarcastic ******* and people realized picking on me was like booing at the special olympics... pointless.


exactly!!!!!!!! I did private and homeschooling and I think I did just fine on the social front. I still don't like parties all that much...but I am not an overly social person anyway...I say to each their own also, it really is an issue of what fits best for the child and family.

[lt93lover]

Interesting you bring this one up-I was public schooled. My brother who's 15 years younger was home schooled for 12. The main difference was that my Mother had to really kind of learn with him as she taught him-she had manuals and such, but for her, it was like going back to school again.

The interesting part of this was that she, my Dad and brother went to see Shakespeare in the Park and my brother could quote lines and such. My Shakespeare learning went by the wayside because my English teacher at the time was also the Senior Prom coordinator-we got extra credit if we helped her get Prom going. So when my Mother spoke of the play, I had no clue what she was talking about. :confused:

But, in my almost 40 years on this planet, I have yet to ever have a need for Shakespeare, along with many other useless things I was taught in school! :cool:

[Delta784]

But, in my almost 40 years on this planet, I have yet to ever have a need for Shakespeare, along with many other useless things I was taught in school! :cool:

"Useless" things taught in school often manifest themselves in ways you don't even realize. I'll give myself a pat on the back and say that I'm one of the best report-writers on my PD (having been told that many times), which goes back to an incredible English teacher I had in high school.

In addition to studying Shakespeare, he drilled us constantly with vocabulary, and had us writing college-level research papers. As much as I hated it and thought it "useless" at the time, it has served me very well in both my law enforcement and academic careers.

[lt93lover]

I had good English teachers as well and also do very well in writing, spelling, vocabulary, etc. And I learned all of that without needing Shakespeare. Also have yet to use the Geometry that I had to take...


It's kind of like the saying, "All I ever needed to know about life, I learned in Kindergarten..."

Just my extra 2 cents...

[Delta784]

I had good English teachers as well and also do very well in writing, spelling, vocabulary, etc. And I learned all of that without needing Shakespeare. Also have yet to use the Geometry that I had to take.

How much better would you be if you did study Shakespeare?

[lt93lover]

Guess the world will never know-geee, what a tragedy! :(

[frank]

Hey! horne80,
When I was about 10, I was in this singing/chorus class, a gal sat down and played a complete Bat oven overture and I never touched the piano before..I sat down after she was done and started playing..The teacher asks me...Where did you learn to play like that? I said I never did and I don't really know how to play the piano, she said thats unbelievable and said did you know you just completely played that Bat oven overture that was just played? I told her I was just trying to copy what she played and she said it sounded better then hers. I never took lessons either! I also can play guitar self tought...Some Stevie Ray Vaughn and Dueling Bangoes Dbl stringed and tough myself by playing piano to learn the keys while strumming the same sound on the guitar.I took Auto Mechanics in school passed and also welding....I am also doing my own learning on this darn computer and I am also well known for my photo taking as I have won a State Photo contest and will be working on a second photo contest....I took some Police class work.I really suck at math, but oh well!!You can't do everything, I have written some articles for magazines ac-crossed the USA and Canada and I have had good response for some songs I have written for music contests. I am also by my own investigating learning some police type procedures like finger print reading....like the difference of loops,whorls... You know the routine.When I took the finger print test during Citizen Police class we I got a a 92% and Gary J. the detective said we did a very good job for never looking at that before.I won 2nd place at a contest in Mexico for a fair they were having down there.Not to boast or anything of that nature...But I think I am not an underdog also!And you-all haven't heard the last of me either. I pride myself for my quality and not for all that I have done....But I do appreciate the help of those who do have these talents and their help with learning these things.I do it for fun and not for doing bad either.It just gives me a better understanding of what you and others do!I never thought law stuff would be so interesting,but it is ...Volunteer work with WAFMP
(Wisconsin Advocates for Missing People)I see and hear a lot of what the detectives and police do for people and it is quite a job they do and I am proud to be a part of what I can in the background.
That makes me want to learn more.But being my age, I think there is a disadvantage..So I like this side stuff because It is still doing the job of helping those in need.But then again, I would not mind to do more!

[Blnkgttrst]

Looking for some more insight on Home Schooling, pros and cons to those parents out there who do, have, or are considering HSing their kids. Was talking to a guy at work tonight about it, and his 4 grandkids are home schooled. He dosent like it since he says they dont develop social skills although they do fantastic and are way better educated. I've seen quite a few articles on the benefits of home schooling in the papers lately and i'm curious.

I'll throw this out too, I think we should abolish the current system and let them be run as a business. I think kids would get a much better education, parents would have a choice of where their kids went to school, and we could do away with school tax, letting the parents pay for the cost of schooling instead of everyone having to foot the bill. It would more than likely be cheaper this way than the current system.

Take it from me, I was in public school up untill my Junior year then I moved across country to Georgia so I have been put into Home School. Not only did I enjoy public school way more, I learned a lot more as hard as that is to believe, I don't care what you hear but public school teaches you a lot more. 3/4 of the things i learn in home school have to do with religion not education. It is also contradictory to Public school curriculum. I also hate not having friends, in my old high school i talked to no less than 60-70 people a day now.. just my family I hate it. Public school is the only option in my opinion.

[Isla_]

Sounds like that is a personal opinion, which is exactly what homeschooling is. Not everyone should disguard homeschooling as a choice because of others personal experiences.
Why is it wrong for a parent to school their child at home because they have strong religious foundations that they want to pass along? If the child is getting the proper eduacation, what is the harm?

[Blnkgttrst]

Sounds like that is a personal opinion, which is exactly what homeschooling is. Not everyone should disguard homeschooling as a choice because of others personal experiences.
Why is it wrong for a parent to school their child at home because they have strong religious foundations that they want to pass along? If the child is getting the proper eduacation, what is the harm?

Well.. at least in high school classes and especially history you dont learn half as much as you would at a public school but i mean it still enough to graduate. I mean they give that damn Graduation Test in tenth grade now basically making junior and senior year there for show. But i mean who knows i guess certain kids ... would like home school. I like being able to watch cops all day lol, but im sorry nothing makes up for the level of socialization that you get with a public school.