with all the school attacks...?

Question

do you think it would be safer to teach your own children at home? and yes i know many will say "then they wont get any social interaction." you can go to the playground, parties, etc and make friends with others in the neighborhood.
i know many have said it will cost more but im willing to do such a thing as long as i dont have to worry about my child being killed while at school.
your thoughts?

Answer 1

Contrary to popular belief, children who are home-schooled tend to be better socialized than children who attend public school. When you think about this, it makes sense. Most home-schooled students are very involved in their community, through sports, activities/groups, and just normal everyday interaction with a much wider variety of people than "schooled" children. In a "school", children are placed into age-segregated classrooms, often in racially/socio-economically segregated classrooms by default of district boundaries. They are made to conform to one set of standards, and rarely get to interact with people outside of their particular classroom. If you live in any sort of neighborhood, your children are probably already playing with neighbors anyway, so, getting to know the kids in the community is a moot point.
Home-schooling allows for greater freedom and autonomy in educating your children, with a lot more flexibility regarding scheduling. Home-schooling is generally more "real-life", as the children learn through everyday experiences. In most areas of the country, you can find home-schooling groups where children can participate in activities with other home-schoolers and/or take classes in specific subjects taught by experts, often in multi-age groups.
The requirements for homeschooling vary from state to state, so you'd need to check them out. Most states require some form of testing/portfolio to confirm that the students are learning. In fact, the home-school requirements/standards are often higher than the public school requirements (I suppose because states would expect higher achievement with one-on-one teaching?) Homeschoolers are eligible for scholarships, and colleges are actively recruiting homeschoolers. Please visit www.hslda.org for more information and resources.
I agree that the schools are becoming dangerous. I taught at public and private school. In the private school, I had a pregnant 8th grader and there was confirmed drug use. In the public school, there were two fifth graders (11 years old) caught having sex in the bathroom. In my fourth grade class, we had a repeatedly violent boy that we could not suspend from class because he had already received 10 days suspension that year, and the state allows no further suspension without a county wide hearing. So, I had a boy who bragged about delivering "kill shots" in a classroom with 26 other students I had to protect.
I will be homeschooling my own daughter when she's old enough

Answer 2

Oh my gosh. All of these school attacks are crazy. I'm still in highschool and there was a gun threat at my school last week. Still, it is scary, but I have cousins who are homeschooled and they do not know how to act around people. They are misbehaved and just don't know how to talk to people. I think socialization is really important and the school enviroment is the best source for that. If you are really worried however, some schools are stricter then public schools. They require uniforms and the security and stuff is better. My parents have considered that but there is none where we live. A private school would cost more too, but probably not as much as homeschooling.

Answer 3

You can't hide from everything, the world and especially the US is a violent place period. There are soooo many things that could happen to someone at any place and any time. Parents need to appreciate their sons/daughters more because there are no guarantees how long they will be on earth. It's a million times safer in the worst inner city school than riding in the family car as an example.

Answer 4

I have thought the same exact thing. I know it is expensive, but I think it would be worth it. There are activities the home schooled children go to. There are opportunities for social interaction. They could even become pen pals with other home schooled children.

My kids are 8 and 6 and after the resent school attacks, I have seriously thought of this. I can not imagine how I would deal with it if this happened at my kids' school.

Let us know what you decide and how it works. I am seriously thinking about it. School is not what it was when I was growing up.

Answer 5

There are around 2 of these attacks a year in the whole world. I have always wanted to teach my children at home (if I ever have any which is unlikely as I never plan on having sex again) but not for safty reasons - I just would like to spend a lot of time with my kids.

Answer 6

It made me think about that too, but then again, maybe we should go back to riding horse and buggies because then people wouldn't die in car accidents. Maybe people shouldn't have pools because of all the children that die in them.

Seriously, the amount of children that die in school shootings is SO small, there is a greater chance of tripping and falling and hitting your head and dying, such that the benefits of going to school WAY outweigh the dangers of going to school. Actually, the biggest dangers is probably germs. I bet you way more children have died from bacterial meningitis they picked up at school than in shootings. If you are willing to put you and your child at risk of those other bigger risks, then you might as well risk the small chance that there'll be a school shooting... because the chances are SO slim... it's just that every time one happens we hear about it because it is SO outrageous that it even occurs. If we heard about every time a kid got sick from germs in school (well there'd be something every day) so we'd just freak out.

Answer 7

If u feel that keeping ur kid at home because of being scared that he/she will be killed at school then thats a personal problem yes we worry alot about or kids but the truth is they gotta go out there and see what the world is like keeping them shelterd isnt gonna make things better in fact my friend was homeschooled all her life she said shes rather have gone to school because now shes shy to be sociable with other ppl and she never got to have and meet to many friends! now she a party animal and hardly never home! best of luck to what u decide!

Answer 8

I home schooled at least one year in each stage of school (primary, middle and high). I preferred it much to school. There are home school support groups which are quite active, meeting at least 2-3 times a week if not more.

I never lacked anything, my education level was always post collegiate, and I finished and graduated at 16. I was far more gifted and level headed, mature and prepared than my peers. Since being an adult Iam still leaps and bounds ahead of anyone from my previous schools.

There are extremes in every educational plan, be it public, private or home schooling. Neither is completely better than the rest, because they differ as much as the children who attend them. But in my case, and in Most cases I honestly believe there is a lot to be gained from home schooling.

Answer 9

I myself don't have any children of my own, but I have god children and I have a little brother that is still in school. And I have thought about having them in home school. I have my degree in education, but as you said everyone concern is the social interaction, but I think it is a great idea.

Answer 10

Statistically it is more likely for your child to be killed crossing the street, riding in a car, or chocking on food, etc. than to be killed in a school attack.... Are you afraid to let them eat, ride in the car or cross the street?

While the school shootings are horrifying they are anomolies... More children die in accidents around the home each year than die in school related shootings.... So statistically speaking home schooled children are more at risk of death because they are home more...

If someone wishes to homeschool thoer children that's fine but to allow fear of a school shooting make the decision only teaches children to allow fear to chart thier course in life...