Teachers: Are you for or against homeschooling?

Question

I'm a teacher (now stay at home mom) and I've completely changed my opinion on this topic. I'm just wondering where most other teachers stand.

Answer 1

I think it is up to you. I am a teacher and parent, and I would not homeschool my children. I have seen many high achievers and early college starters who have been home-schooled. If you are determined and dedicated to doing it, I believe it will be very successful for your children.

Answer 2

It depends on who will be doing the homeschooling. I know of several homeschooling families who are doing a wonderful job with their kids.

I also, as a special education teacher, often have to pick up the pieces when a parent is incompetent in their instruction and/or didn't do any real work with their kid(s).

I really think homeschooling parents should be held to the same standards of performance and accountability as the schools. Auditing student performance should happen more frequently than it does, so that failing parents can be caught more quickly, and children returned to a classroom with a competent teacher sooner, so they aren't so far behind.

The parents already doing a good job won't have to worry... it's just a couple of weeks of testing each year (and/or portfolio auditing), and if they're doing their job correctly their child will make proficiency (or adequate gains if the child has disability issues).

Answer 3

Too many variables to just say 'good' or 'bad'.

I think that most educated people even if they aren't teachers can do a good job of helping a child learn the high school curriculum. In fact, a lot of children could even learn it on their own with the right motivation.

The thing that children schooled at home miss the most is not the academic content but the social opportunities. As long as the child (children?) have friends and get opportunities to interact with others their own age then I think its usually a good thing.

Joining a sports club would be a good adjunct.

Answer 4

If homeschooling is done correctly, I am in favor of it for some children. It might be a good idea for older students, 15 or 16 years old to interact with other students. I just question some parents ability to homeschool.

Answer 5

I think it depends on who's going to teach. It seems like a good idea, at least until about the HS level. That's when most parents' knowledge seems to limit their ability to teach effectively, and when children need to be exposed to people from different backgrounds. Some effort must be made to expose homeschooled children to other children, or else they might turn out a bit antisocial or closed-minded.

Answer 6

Difficult question, I think it depends how dedicated the parent is. I know a parent, who has the most atrocious spelling and wonder how much of that will transfer over to her kids. On the other hand, with an educated parent, and good social skills, I believe they can excel.