Thoughts on homeschooling [View All]

[youthere]

An earlier homeschooling thread inspired me to post this.

1. Parents that homeschool their kids are all right wing wacko fundies/god hating liberals/racist/greedy/selfish/ violent/other.

That’s like saying all lesbians hate men or all catholic priests are pedophiles. It is a broad brush generalization that is not based in reality. Some choose homeschooling because they are dissatisfied with the public school system. Some choose it because of political beliefs. For other families it may be due to special work circumstances. Another family may decide to homeschool because they just don’t want to be separated from their children for that long during the day. Some want to shield their children from what they perceive to be harmful effects of the public school system ( teasing,bullying etc.)I t may be because particular classes or resources are not available in the public school. And yes, some families choose to homeschool their children for religious reasons. As many reasons as I’ve listed for choosing homeschooling there are many, many more.

2. Homeschooled children don’t receive as good an education as publicly educated children.

Good is a pretty subjective term. For every “Janey Homeschooler Can’t Read” example you come up with I’ll match you with public school student that can’t read, or write, or compute basic facts. Both systems have their loopholes, their pitfalls and their “cracks” for students to fall through. And yes, BOTH systems have some incompetent teachers. I can give you examples of plenty of kids that have excelled from both public schools and homeschooling. Some homeschooled kids learn (besides the basic skills) foreign language, philosophy, chemistry, art, history, advanced mathematics. In some cases (especially if there is a homeschool assistance program available) there are dances and team sports, field trips, contests, concerts…the list is endless. I could say that some homeschooled kids have the opportunity for a BETTER education- but then BETTER is another one of those subjective terms, isn't it?


3. Homeschooled kids don’t get tested like they due in public school.

In some cases they are tested more thoroughly. It depends on the state you live in and/or the choice of the parents. Each state has it’s own regulations pertaining to homeschooling. Some are stricter than others. Most states require the child to be evaluated yearly in some manner. It might be through the same basic skills test that are administered to the public school students. It might be through a state certified teacher that supervises the family. It might be through a portfolio of the child’s work that is monitored by state approved officials. Each state is different. Some states can intervene and demand the child return to public (or accredited) education if the performance is low. Check the legislation in your state.

4. Homeschoolers cheat the public school out of money! OR Homeschoolers have turned their backs on the public school system!


In most cases the school does not get charged or fined or penalized for students that are not there. Students not "in the seat" also aren't using some of the resources the other students are. No textbooks, paper, glue, clay...teacher's time. In some states the child must still be enrolled in the district. The school still receives money for that child even though they are not officially “attending” the school. It all depends on where you live.
In my community homeschoolers pay taxes, and they vote in the school board elections and on school bond issues. We volunteer for bake sales, carnivals, and fundraisers. We work the concession stand at the school football games and we volunteer on field trips. We often provide after school care or free babysitting for certain school events. We are even members of the PTA. Do all homeschooling parents do this? No. But neither do all public school parents.


5. Homeschoolers without a GED or diploma have difficulty entering college.

Not true. There is no lack of colleges that will enroll homeschooled students. Colleges are interested in capable, motivated learners and responsible people. They find both in homeschooled , and public schooled students alike.

5. Home schooled kids lack “real world” experience.

Homeschooled kids live very much in the real world. Children are “in school” while daily life goes on around them. Dishes must be washed, bills must be paid, errands must be run, phones rings, dogs bark and babies cry, all during an average homeschooler’s typical day. How many adults live in the same structure of the elementary school classroom?


Now I’m sure that I forgot a plenty of arguments against homeschooling that some DU’er will be more than happy to point out. You know, maybe I'm naive but I’m always surprised when I encounter vehement opposition against homeschooling, just as I am shocked when I encounter total disdain for public education-especially on DU. Homeschooling is as effective as the individuals participating and the support structure surrounding it. As varied and diverse as homeschooling families are, there seems to be one constant. Parents choose homeschooling because they want the best for their child, and they believe homeschooling to be it. Some do a great job with it and the children thrive. That’s awesome. Some suck at it and the children fall behind. That’s unfortunate.
But the exact same is true for the public school system. Neither is all good, or bad.

As for me, I will continue to homeschool my three, despite the criticism. I believe in my choice and I'm damned glad I've got it to make.

That is all.