What do you know about home-school?

Question

Biases and generalizations are a strong part of our society. It is too easy to hold opinions that stereo-type others. "Home-schooling" means something different to every person that will answer the question. What is your answer?

I am a mother to 4 home-educated students. 2 are now adults and 2 will soon be adults. If you know them personally then I'm sure you can tell me what you know. But if you don't know them please don't give them labels such as: Misfit, Social outcast, Ignorant; Sheltered; Troubled; etc.... I know hundreds and maybe even thousands of home-taught students that do not fit into the demeaning categories imposed on them by others that don't know the truth.

My home-educated children and grandchildren are well liked in our community. Our extended family, friends and even strangers comment often about how they are well mannered and intelligent. This is the same for all of the families that I personally know that home-teach.

Check out www.home-school.org

Hmmm. I don't want to end this one with only 8 answers. So, does anyone else know any true facts about home-school?
Is it a passing fad or is it here to stay?
How many children in the USA are currently educated under the sole direction of their parents? How many styles of home-schooling are out there?
Does anyone know the real statistics?

Answer 1

I was home-schooled from 4Th grade until I graduated. When I started Algebra 1 my mom took me to a public school after hours to one of the math teachers there and he taught me math. At first he said that he didn't want to because he thought home-schooling was wrong. He said that he would do it for a couple of weeks and then decide if he would continue. After two weeks he told my mom that I learned faster and had better retention than any of his other students. Not bragging but it actually taught me good work ethic. I was not allowed to move on unless I had a score of 90% or higher on my tests. Doing this caused me to not accept a low grade as normal. I graduated from High School with a 3.8 and from college with a 4.0. I had several Colleges (including Harvard) that wanted me to come. I was also the president of the student government association in college. During High school I got my pilot's license.

I now work for a company that creates the software and computer systems for hospitals, I have had no problem getting to know people and learning all of the computer systems.
( www.cpsinet.com )

I don't think that this could be termed as anti-social or ignorant. Besides if my understanding is correct, home-schoolers typically score higher on the ACT than others.

I didn't write this to brag, but I think that there is a great case in favor of homeschooling.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I homeschool my 5 children. I know that about a week ago we were in a store waiting quite some time, a lady asked my 8 yr old daughter "When do you start school?". My daughter replied "We homeschool". The gentlemen behing the counter quickly turned around and said "No wonder they are soooo well behaved!". My children learn to be social with the real world, people ages 1 to 100, and can carry on an intelligent conversation. They are leaders not followers. Sheltered? Yes, from government indoctrination, bad language, immorality, cruel peer groups, and much more. I read someone on here making fun of homeshcoolers playing with swords in the front yard, they were there because they don't care what others think. That is my 2 cents.

Answer 4

It is true that some home-school people are odd. But it works itself out that way- they really odd families either get regected, or would never make it with a large public school. But, most I know are fine. If you think about it, when in public school do you have to socialize? 5 mins on top of the hour, and lunch. Everything else is after school, when you don't have homework.

With homeschool, you get done in a few hours. You have MORE time to do stuff, and you don't have homework, so that even amounts to yet MORE time. Homeschooled students often have more time to do what they want to do, and more time to just hang out.

Most homeschool students also beat out their public schooled competition on test scores and the ACT. The geography champs, and Jeopardy (if thats how you spell that show) winners have PLENTY of homeschool winners, which if you think about it- homeschoolers are a small percentage compared to public school. Yet there are just as many, if not more, winners.

Answer 5

I know that I spent time learning all I could about homeschooling before I took on this endeavour. I know that every homeschooling parent I've ever met did their research before taking on the endeavour. I know that there is material out there that naysayers refuse to even look at, material that would discount their opinions or limited experience.

I know that my children aren't social misfits. I know when there are issues and can coach them appropriately. I know my children aren't ignorant as every topic imaginable comes up. I know they aren't sheltered except from that which really would not help them developmentally at this point. I know they are not social outcasts because I see them playing with kids they've never met before, as well as friends, when we go to homeschooling events or even just the park.

I do also know that not every homeschool experience works out well. However, I've known MANY public schooled experiences that have not worked out well and wonder how naysayers don't see the double standard there.

Answer 6

I actually do know a girl who has been home schooled almost all of her life (she is in tenth grade now). She is actually very quiet, and she speaks very properly. However, she was home schooled because of her parents who are strict and religious people. She is a nice person, and she knows quite a bit of pop culture. Many of the people who I went to private school had been home-schooled, and they were perfectly nice people. Although, they weren't very liked when I lived in Texas. They were actually questioned if they stepped outside of their homes during the time period when conventional school was in session.

Answer 7

I homeschooled both my daughters from the 4th grade on. They are well adjusted adults. My youngest is pre-med at the university and does NOT talk about her homeschooling experience because people do not know anything about homeschooling. Many people make fun of it, doubt them, attack them or otherwise make lame or hurtful comments.

Answer 8

i am curently being homeschooled and i love it i hate it when people say homeschoolers are stuped or retatted because that is not in the least bit true so when i am some where with new people and the start raggin on home schoolers i prove them wrong on there stero types because i have friends i am smart and i love "school" unlike them

Answer 9

iam a home school teacher myself and my students have good manners and are well liked in our town as well.