Homeschooling?

Question

I just want peoples opinions on homeschooling? Are you homeschooled? Do you homeschool?

Answer 1

I was not home educated but we home educate our children ages 8 and 12. They love it and are plenty 'socialized'. I cannot believe that there is still controversy regarding 'socialization' and how well 'educated' home schooled children are. I've been reading these boards for a couple of days now and am blown away not only by the ignorance of some people regarding home schooling but the utter and blatant anti-homeschooling stances.

Most home schooled children are NOT locked up away from the world or society. Home schoolers continually are equal in academic performance or above their public schooled counterparts including high marks on SAT's and ACT's. So really, when I hear about the socially inept home schoolers that oh, so many people on these boards claim to know and how some of you teachers have had to tutor the poor inept home educated student and that you base your overall opinions of home schooled children on that...I must roll my eyes and sigh in disgust. Statistics prove that the whole "homeschoolers are less educated" issue is bologne.

My children have a choice, unlike schooled children on whether or not they want to go to school and you know what? They choose home schooling. They enjoy being around their father and I, they enjoy being finished with 'school' in 3-3 1/2 hours a day, they enjoy being able to play and discover and stay at friends for the day and have sleepovers, they enjoy the freedom to enjoy life without sitting all damn day in a classroom with children their own age even though they have some friends their own age.

Socializing is the ability to get along with and speak with others and do things with other people...one does not need the school system to learn how to 'socialize'...Matter of fact, when I went to school and tried to socialize, I was told by my teachers throughout the years that I was not in school to socialize but to LEARN. There are tons of children in schools who are considered by other children and teachers as shy, weird, strange, not outgoing, bashed for not fitting in to some persons 'social' group, etc. There are tons of children in schools not making the grade but yet I don't see any public school proponents clammering for them to be taken out of the system...what hypocrites. It's okay for schools to fail millions of children and send them out in the world unprepared for life but when people in the home schooling community do the same, are quick to condemn and judge.

People should really start checking facts before making conclusions and keep things in perspective. My 8yo dd has NEVER been to school yet she is the type of child to introduce herself to other children and adults in environments outside the home. She is very intelligent, reads well, is autodidactic, etc. My 12 yo ds is autodidactic and intelligent as well but is not as outgoing as his sister and he went to school from ages 3-8. He is polite and looks people in the eye and plays with children of all ages well but usually is not the one to introduce himself first.

Growing up I had 4 brothers and sisters and we were all public schooled the whole way. My younger sister and two younger brothers were VERY outgoing and to the day still have a lot of friends and run around doing so many things during a day that my headspins. My oldest brother had numerous friends but was not outgoing but more laidback. As for me, well, I was not outgoing and was very shy. I'd be the kid at the playground by herself waiting for people to come and ask me to play. As a teen I maybe had one or two good friends and was not out doing much of anything. Out of the 5 of us here is how we faired educationally; All 5 of us graduated highschool, only one graduated above average. 3 went to college only one graduated. Myself and the two college dropouts joined the Navy, Army and Airforce. My oldest brother has worked various jobs throughout his life.

In short, home schooling has nothing to do with how outgoing a child is, or whether or not a child is shy or not or how 'social' they are. I've known and know plenty of always schooled children that fit the same stereotypes that are wrongly put on homeschoolers...it is simply that everyone is different. Same applies to those who are not as academic as others, we are all different. Home educating does not guarantee a successful career, or college...BUT neither does public school or private school. To pick just one of the numerous ways to educate children and bash it for the same thing that other forms of education produce as well is not only judgemental, but shows a clear bias.

There are extremists who keep their children in seclusion all day but they do not represent the majority of home educators by any means. Most home educating parents I know do everything in their power to ensure that their children are happy and many, like my husband and I do offer their children a choice on whether or not to school. When we're on our way to meet with other home schoolers on a beautiful day to go to the beach or swimming or some other outing and they see the buses loaded with children on their way to school...mine feel sorry for the schooled children. :-)

Answer 2

I believe homeschooling may be getting a bad reputation, but at the same time is difficult to monitor. If more and more parents decide to homeschool, there will be kids being spread out in may different locations as opposed to a central location. The concern that some children being homeschooled are falling through the cracks due to lack of supervision of parents teaching kids may have merit.

On the other hand, look at schools now. Kids are falling through the cracks now. Homeschooling gives kids one (maybe even 2) to one teaching, as opposed to one teacher to 30 kids.

Even though I gave arguments for and against homeschooling, thebottom line is it depends on the child, the parents and the school situation as to whether or not a child would be better off homeschooled.

Answer 3

I'm thirteen, and my parents do independent study, which isn't exactly homeschooling. It is the same exact thing that kids do in regular school, because we do it through a private school, Laurel Springs School, in Ojai, CA. My parents buy the courses and they send us the textbooks, and a syllabus for each course. We send in my work every two weeks on a regular schedule and the regular teachers at the school grade it and send it back to us. This system is just like regular school at home, and it's not like my parents just grab random things at the local store to be my schoolwork. I think that homeschooling or independent study or whatever you wanna call it is great. The only annoying thing is that everybody's like, "Oh, you are so lucky, you hardly have to do anything," but it's not true. I have to do everything they have to do, except listen to a teacher drone on about nothing for 8 hours a day. I sometimes have to work until 9 in the evening on schoolwork in order to keep turning my work in on time. I get real report cards from real teachers, too, so it really isn't that different from regular school. If you are considering homeschooling, I would honestly recommend Laurel Springs School. I went to traditional schools until 5th grade, when I switched to independent study, and it is one of the best things I have ever done. I do a lot of music, and this has enabled me to take it even further. I play the cello and now I have a different teacher at San Francisco State University, which is amazing because I am only thirteen years old. But because of this program, I can do things that other kids can't (so they sorta have a point when they say I'm lucky) and I can also take my work on the road, which enables me to travel more easily. So, I hope I helped you and didn't just say, "What's your question?" because I know what you're talking about. Good luck with whatever you're doing!

Answer 4

I was not homeschooled, but I did spend a few years tutoring homeschool students, or even holding classes for homeschoolers, in subjects their parents didn't know much about (chemistry, physics, etc).

I believe that public education fills a very important role in our society, especially since the majority of people simply cannot afford to homeschool their children. I tend to view the removal of children from public schools for homeschooling as a socially irresponsible act, although it is a good move from the viewpoint of a parent. Therefore, I can't help but hear homeschooling parents' criticisms of public schools as somewhat hypocritical, since most of them aren't really doing anything, and don't plan on doing anything, for the system at all. In fact, their decision to homeschool their children probably had a negative effect on the public school system, making their criticisms something of a self-fullfilling prophecy, or justification after the fact, or what have you.

But that's just my opinion. I work with lots of public school kids too, and I don't think the system is in as bad of shape as homeschool parents tend to say it is.

Answer 5

I was a home schooler, I tested and graduated High School 1 1/2 years early.
For some kids and parents home schooling is the answer, But what makes a good home schooler and home school parent is dedication to education, and the parent needs to know a little about the subjects studied. My Dad would read through the next days assignments and learn them so he could help me.
I enjoyed home schooling cuz I could work at my own pace and I had more time for my horse..
the Major problem with home schooling is the social skills, when you go to public schools you learn how to socialize. Home schooling you need to have outside activites, like enroll in sports on the town teams, 4-H is another good activity. Find things to balance out the home School and Social life.
EMail me if you got any more questions I would be happy to share with you... Good Luck.....

Answer 6

We homeschooled 3 of our 4 children ,by doing this u make sure ur kids r learning and learning what u were taught and u know what ur kids r up to and who they hang with in todays public school systems many teachers r only there for a paycheck and could care less if ur son or daughter is learning or not they will pass them on to next grade to get rid of them

Answer 7

Are you considering homeschooling. If so start with your local homeschool network. you should be able to find them in your phone directory. Homeschool groups usually meet monthly for games, activities and social activities. There is no substitute for 1st hand knowledge, get to meet people who homeschool, talk to them about their experiences, meet the students who homeschool and then consider all the information, talk it over with the children (if they are older) and you should be able to decide if homeschooling is for your family . good luck

Answer 8

My family has homeschooled for many years. We like it very much. It is a successful form of education. The students do well in all areas of life. Academic time takes 4-6 hours depending on the difficulty of study material. Music lessons, team sports, field trips, projects, jobs, etc... take up the rest of the day.

Answer 9

We have been homeschooling for over 2 years. My daughter is very happy, working well above grade level, and enjoys a great group of friends and extracurricular activities. I can't imagine having to cope with our school system when we have so much more fun and less stress on our own.

Answer 10

Was NOT homeschooled myself but chose to homeschool our child. Best thing we ever did ! We also wanted our child to be better educated financially... something we found in the schools to be lacking highly !

It is NOT for everyone. Your individual attitide plays a huge role in how you look at others, if you will make it work and if you are willing to make sacrafices for someone you love.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion... thanks for asking for it.. you should get a load of them here. : )

Answer 11

I homeschool my children. I think it's a wonderful way to raise and educate them.