Quality of Education VS. Socialization?

Question

In the US as we all know the quality of education is going down hill fast. I’m constantly wondering which is worse--having a bad quality of education or being unsocial. I was very fortunate to get great education overseas as a part of the DoDDS school system but I did take one semester of HS in the states. I was thoroughly disappointed in the quality of teaching--if you’d even call it that! I’m wondering now if it’s better to home school past elementary or have them in school.

What do you think?

Is there a possibility that home-schooled children can still be social? I think so but it would have to be monitored.

What is your stance on home vs. public schools?

Answer 1

I still do not understand how anyone associates attending school with socialization. Why does one need to attend school to become socialized? I'm a military spouse so we move every so often. Does that mean I need to attend school to meet people? NO! And neither do children. Do your preschool aged children socialize before they are ready to attend school? Sure they do, if you don't keep them locked in the house all day. People have this image of homeschooled kids being locked away in the house and never leaving it. I do not understand this. My kids are homeschooled. We are out every day! They interact with people of all ages. They are both involved in two sports. They were involved in more sports this past fall plus they were both in a drama club. I volunteer in the community and they help. I'm a cheerleading coach and sometimes they have to go with me to practice where they interact. This year my oldest wants to join boyscouts. Plus, they interact with other homeschool kids. Our neighbors go to public school but on the weekends they would come over and hang out with my kids. AND most public schools make resources available to homeschool kids. So, they can participate in school sponsored sports and school plays, etc. I have no idea at all why people equate attending elementary school with being social. It is just a totally ridiculous concept. And the thing is, my kids are 6 & 3. They have friends their own age, they have friends who are older and they are quite comfortable around adults. Don't you think the concept of shoving kids in a classroom by age is ridiculous? I do. How often in your adult life do you ONLY interact with people who were born the same year as you?

Is there a possibility that they'll be social? There is more than a possibility. It is human nature. Just because they are homeschooled doesn't change that. Why would it need to be monitored? Seriously. As long as you don't have them locked away in a closet there is no reason they will not be social.

As for public school--I also attended DoDDS schools while overseas and later went on to work for DoDDS. I have to say the quality of education is not much better than other public schools. As a former teacher, I can say from experience that the public school system is a joke. Kids are forced to sit behind a desk 8 hours a day and they learn very little. I can do in two hours what those kids are learning in 8. My kids have lots of time to direct their own learning and follow their own interests. They get to do it on their own schedule. I have so many stories of things I saw take place in the public schools. It is really frustrating. When I decided to leave teaching I vowed my kids would never be in that situation. They are thriving. My 6 yr. old is already doing geometry. He reads about a year ahead of where he needs to be and he loves to learn. He comes to me with questions all the time. My 3 yr. old is already reading thanks to his older brother. He is also doing basic math. I don't push them. We operate on a very loose schedule and I let them direct their own learning. Earlier in the year we learned about egyptians and mummification because they wanted to know more. Right now my oldest wants to know about the Loch Ness Monster so where reading about that. Whatever they want to learn about we do. They retain the information too because it is something they want to know. They aren't being forced to sit still for hours a day and being forced to learn what the teacher wants them to learn. They don't sit and do pointless worksheets all day. They read and do hands on projects. They don't memorize information just to pass a test so they can forget the information later. They learn because they want to,not because someone is telling them they have to.

And they don't lack in socialization at all. It kills me how many people focus on that rather than education. And all you have to do is look at it logically. Why does school=socialization? Does that even seem logical? Sure, you are around other people while at school but is that the only setting where you are around other people? No! So then why do people assume if you take school out of the equation then socialization disappears? Like I said, my kids are active in the community and involved in sports. They have plenty of friends and are not shy at all.

Answer 2

I am totally for homeschooling if the parent has the time and energy to do it. Socializing does not need to happen at school...in fact I know a few PS teachers and they tell me that they are constantly telling the kids to be quiet and socialize on there own time. There are so many extra curricular activities that children can socialize at dance, gymnastics, sports, boy/girl scouts, church activities, etc. As well as hooking up with a local HS group and having classes together, field trips, park days etc. The education that a child can receive will be so much better one on one than they can ever get in a classroom full of 20-30 other children. Not to mention all the garbage that they have to deal with at PS. There are many Universities that are actually seeking out homeschoolers.

Answer 3

The schools in my town our great. It is all about money. If you pay more in salaries and the schools budgets are bigger they are better, Trust me , the parents are involved as well. It is money well spent. The socialization of our children comes mostly from our families. The more time and effort you put into your children the better they will be able to cope with all that lies before them. In a lot of cases not cope I guess. It is amazing that you need a license to drive a car, but anyone can have 6 kids.
I would never consider home schooling. I want my kids to know what It is like to operate within a community and experience all different types of personalities. Then be able to discuss with them what is going on . Figure out the good and bad together.

Answer 4

I don't see the risks as all that high if you are stringent about making sure everyone provides proof of vaccs and a clean fecal before enrolling in the class. I think early socialization is extremely important, and while I think most reputable breeders don't let puppies go until pretty close to the end of this period, I think a carefully monitored and structured class would probably be a better option than just taking your puppy out on the street. Ideally, a puppy will have been well socialized with the breeder, but of course not all do. Interesting questions! Vintage Collies

Answer 5

The quality in some places is better then others. I moved to another house to send my kids to better schools. My oldest just got on the Honor roll : )

School is very important for kids in so many ways. They spend most of the day there so the school environment IS their world for the most part. That said, the public and homeschooling debate depends on the school environment and the individual child.

I'm all for homeschooling IF the school district is bad OR a child cannot thrive in a classroom environment due to a special need.

I've known some homeschooled kids and these particular kids turned out very rebellious and not knowing how to deal with real life.

Answer 6

Well I have a unique perspective on this. I never homeschooled, but in the tenth grade my brother decided to. He finished high school at home. My sister was just not emotionally ready for public school at 6, and my mother, even though she did not want to homeschooled her until the 9th grade. Then my sister decided to go to high school. Now she is a high school junior and doing great.
As far as socialization, the folks that say homeschoolers aren't socialized enough are crazy. My brother and sister are both social animals and being at home never hindered either of them from making friends or learning about the world.
I would have to ask is the kind of "socialization" in high school the best for kids anyway? My sister is 16 and she can talk to an adult with confidence in a way that most can't. She is a very self-confident, intelligent kid.
Now that she is exposed to the language of 16 year olds like, who's screwing who and how she is just too good for everyone because she won't give in to peer pressure, she is emotionally and mentally prepared to deal with it.

Answer 7

I agree that public schooling is going down hill. I blame alot of that on our government, and not putting money into the schools. HOWEVER, it is the teacher that finds a way for you to learn what you need to. We have all had that one special teacher that you really could learn from. Home schooling is great.. for the right family. The parent really needs to be a "go getter" and a "self starter"... if they arent.. the child will fall behind. The socialization is so important. Society is getting so social that it is scary. You learn things in a school that you could never learn at home. Taking turns with strangers.. listening when you are not one and one.. having bad grades, and not wanting to let your teacher down. There has to be somewhat of a fear of your teacher, and that is hard to do when your teacher is your mom or dad. It is hard to separate. Also, as odd as it is, not having your homework is a learning tool also... it teaches you cause and affect. One other thing is comparing yourself on site to your peers. That is important.. it keeps you motivated..You want to do better than tommy over there and you try harder next time.. I could talk on and on about this but I will stop here.

Answer 8

Home schooling is becoming very popular these days and I think it is a great thing. As for socialization, there are many ways to take care of that issue. Have your child get involved in sports, reading circles at the library, the scouts, or maybe church groups. Talk to people in your community to find out what is offered in your area. If there isn't much, then start something on your own. It may take a little more effort on your part, but it will be worth it.
Good luck.

Answer 9

I don't think sticking a kid in a room full of kids exactly his age is a good way to socialize them. After all, that's where bullying, teasing, etc, are so prominent. Kids can learn social skills in a more natural environment, through interacting with people of a variety of ages in a variety of situations. Homeschooled kids don't have to suffer socially if you make sure they have plenty of opportunities to play with other kids. There are homeschool groups for kids to get together and hang out.

And the quality of education is quite atrocious, I agree with you.

If you're wondering to homeschool past elementary, does that mean you have elementary-age kids you're homeschooling? I would definitely keep it up through middle school/junior high- that's the worst kind of school in the states and not something I'd put my kids through. High school is actually better, and you saw how bad that was.

Answer 10

You know something i truly believe the reason of the quality of education is going down FAST is because of how us students arent being observed by the teachers, school districs, or even state. And the money that we are supposed to get that is supposed to go to better school end up going somewhere for our government so thats why most students are failing when they cant learn. The teachers cant pay attention to all 30+ students. I did go to highschool for the first year and by the 10th grade since my grades were so low and the teachers did not pay attention to NOTHING my mom took me out of school and put me on homestudy. It was a fight between the school district and my mom and finally my mom told them why am i going to have my daughter in this school when nobody pays attention to her and just lets her fail, when i can pay attention to her and watch her pass. I graduated a year earler on homestudy and yes we all can still be social its simple you study 8 hours at home and go out and have fun, however i would study 8-12 hrs a day and then have freedom. And myne wasnt monitored all mom had to say is do your work and when dinner is done your done LOL it was that easy. Hope this helps ya

Answer 11

I was never home schooled, but I do believe that as long as the level of education whether in a school or in the home by a parent or a proffesional tutor is equal and the children have the same collegiate and proffesional opportunities, then it doesnt matter the source of the education.