Why do people still hate homeschooling?
I work in a school system and we often have people bring their child to enroll after they've homeschooled for a while. The issues I see most are the following:The parent is not qualified to homeschool. This is acerbated in many states because homeschooling is not regulated. There is no regulated curriculum, no place where the parent is held accountable for the child's progress.The lack of socialization is often problematic as well. These kids falter when introduced to the rough and tumble of normal interactions, whether it is in school or when they enter the work force. A lot of what you learn at school is not found in books. Learning to defend yourself against bullying is something you need to know for all aspects of life.Their knowledge tends to be fragmented. They may know a great deal about one subject, but have absolutely no idea in another. Generally speaking, I find them very lacking in maths and sciences, because those subjects require resources parents don't always have.Finally, in my state, most homeschooling is done for religious reasons, and people who come out of that background are often extremely rigid and judgmental, which, again, doesn't translate well in social or work situations.Now, all that said, there are also parents who have done an outstanding job of homeschooling their children, have given them the socialization necessary, and have prepared them for the skills needed in the workforce. In my particular part of the world, though, they're pretty much outnumbered by the others.
Why do people frown upon home-schooling?
I was home-schooled and we get people asking if there is something wrong with me... why does there have to be something wrong with a person for them to be home-schooled? Do they think my own parents do not know anything? For all they know we get tutors! Which are real teachers! (qualified should I say) but everyone is a teacher. I am sick of the stereotypes that home eds are freaks, why would homeschooling make a person a freak? The weirdos, schooled children are the worse freaks, it's not like they are any more intelligent, most cannot even spell, are nasty and judgmental!
What are your thoughts on homeschooling?
For the right parents and the right students, it's awesome!! It depends on how you do it. Homeschooling doesn't mean staying at home behind closed doors and not experiencing the world. It means having home as your base rather than a school. Those who comment on social skills - I've seen the opposite. When my daughter was little, she fell at a an indoor play place. Two children around age 8 came and helped her up, asked if she was okay, came with her to get me, etc. They were the nicest, most mature, children I've ever seen. I ended up talking to their parents and found they were home schooled. That almost swayed me to consider it for my daughter (we loved our neighborhood school and she loved it so much, too, that we didn't try it). Another time we were skating and a large group of homeschoolers were there for a social outing, so they certainly have opportunities for learning social skills with other children and they all seemed to be doing very well. Keep in mind, too, that some children home schooll BECAUSE of issues with social skills as in they are not able to learn well in a group setting, are more advanced or behind intellectually than their peers and, so, find social skills difficult, etc. I hope that with your background you would be giving your child amazing opportunities for learning through travel and sharing your skills: music, writing, and seeing the world to learn about history, art, etc. first hand. Do seek out classes and opportunities for your child to socialize with peers through activities (like Scouting, youth orchestra, art classes, dance, or a sport) outside the home. There's actually a section in Yahoo Answers on Homeschooling. You might find more support and better answers there. Also Google Homeschooling - there are many websites and forums for information and support.
Why are some people against homeschooling?
I don’t often weigh in on politically charged issues, but the polemics here… they’re potentially dangerous.One of the best students I’ve ever had was home schooled. I have a colleague whose grandchildren are homeschooled. I don’t hate homeschooling. However…Many of us have seen the outcomes of homeschooling: students with few or no skills, and little understanding of the world (but who inevitably got straight A’s). Is this all of them? No, but it’s certainly far more than those who went to public schools. They can’t function in a college environment or jobs. If they want higher ed, they may spend 1–2 years taking developmental courses in community college, but most will simply dismiss things like mathematics as “liberal nonsense” and end up working at jobs they hate.There is little to no monitoring in some states. The homeschooling advocacy groups attempt to ensure this to maximize freedom, mostly for the religious homeschoolers. In some states, you don’t even have to tell the state that you’re homeschooling. This is true to an extent even in Illinois, a supposedly “blue” state. Homeschooling has been used to hide deaths (likely murders or at least manslaughter) of children.That’s it. It’s about outcomes and risks to children. There are explanations for these problems, and means of addressing them, but the idea that those of us who express concern do so out of a desire to control another person’s religion? It’s absurd. As a specific example, I do have an issue with A Beka Books, a religious homeschool book supplier, but not because of the religion. My issue is with the books, and one specific thing the books do, which is promote the idea that set theory is a lie. That’s like saying “addition is against my religion, so 2 + 2 = 5.” Addition works, and works the same, regardless of your religion.
Why are more and more people homeschooling their children?
Technology is driving much of the exodus from public education. With some parent guidance and, if necessary, a bit of tutoring, a student can totally nail pretty much any required high school subject. There is no need to upend your life, dragging yourself onto a bus when the sun isn’t even up, get all stressed-out over the multiple assessments you’ll confront that day, while facing administrative nonsense and generally waste a lot of time and energy.The shortest distance between any two points is a straight line. It is increasingly possible to eliminate all of the hoops that school requires you to jump through; it is increasingly possible to eliminate the middle men and just get the job done yourself. People are taking the most efficient route to education for their kids.Here is an article which will reveal the trend:This New MIT Master's Program Doesn't Require A College Or High School DegreeNo one has to attend high school (or elementary school). The USA has mandatory education laws - not mandatory school attendance laws. Anyone can withdraw from school, design a plan to get their education online or in small group tutoring, and then if college is their goal …. apply to college.It isn’t rocket science and the internet is making that more and more evident. I think families are wising up and taking this job into their own hands. I’ve been doing it for 20 years and it makes life so much easier. It makes sense.
Why does homeschooling bother people so much?
To get at the real answer to your question, you would have to ask the people who are bothered. But if you are homeschooling and are bothered by the people who are bothered, try to realize that this is America where homeschooling is legal in all 50 states. Buy yourself some earrings and write "in" on one and "out" on the other, and wear them when you are in the company of the bothered people. Learn to nod and smile. Do the best by your children, and teach them how to learn on their own. If you are homeschooling, don't worry about the laundry or the dishes so much. Teach the kids how to do these things, and all the housekeeping. They will thank you later--much later. If you are homeschooling, pursue your interests and the interests of your children. For about 2 hours a day, engage in mother read aloud, reading aloud to them, allowing them to narrate back to you at regular intervals what you just read. Fill in the gaps in your own education. Move the TV out to the barn or down to a closet in the basement. Cook, dance, build, sew, make music--do things with your children. Memorize scripture--whole passages. Get involved in historic re-enactment. Volunteer somewhere with the children. Pray for your husband (or wife) and children ALL the time.Homeschooling doesn't bother me so much any more since my six children, whom I home schooled from pre-school through high school, have reached adulthood well equipped to pursue their passions and continue to learn and grow. And now, they aren't bothered by homeschooling so much, either.
Homeschooling for highschool?>?
i am 15 and have never been homeschooled before. i am about to go into ninth grade my first year of high school next year and i never considered homeschooling before thinking it was for antisocial people and i did not want to leave my friends behnd but now i have been thinking it would help me excel in learning seeing as my social status is my biggest issue in learning it is my big distraction but i am not sure i want to miss out on high school. but it if helps me, and it is best i think i will do it. any homeschooled highschoolers here? what is it like? what are the benefits?