What do teachers actually think about home education?

Question

I am a home schooling mom. I have already had to deal with opposition in our school district because I have decided to teach my children at home. I just wanted to know what the general feeling was in the teaching community.

Since I know the social life of my children might be the TOP reason most people state, please let us just skip that one in order to hear out some more thought out answers.

Answer 1

As long as you are comfortable with home schooling your child, and you are well-equipped with skills and knowledge to ensure that your child is receiving the best that you can offer, I don't see why there's an issue about home education.

With regard to social life, you can still cater to that in your homeschooling anyway.

Answer 2

Many children who are being home-schooled end up back in the school system at some point. Their adjustment to the system can be complex and difficult. At the same time, the school and teachers are now responsible for the students' progress and those students' achievement (or lack of) can count against the school when school achievement scores are compared.

For the most part, teachers do what they do because they sincerely care about children and their learning. They are trained educators and continue to develop their expertise as continue in their profession. They honestly believe that they and their colleagues can provide children with a higher quality, more rounded education than those children would receive through home-schooling.

Answer 3

Altho you state you feel most people would say, the social aspect of school would be the top reason not to home school...it seems to be that is not the case. You apparently Missed out on the fact, how qualified are you to teach the child? We are talking more than learning ABC's etc..but we are talking about a whole resource of qualified, expertise Field of people in school..that you feel you can match at home.
Teachers are constantly going to seminars, resources, upgrading on their skills to give children the best education possible. They have the tools, the resources, the whole education Field to help them, help children learn in the best, enviorment, best methods, being able to properly assess children who may need help in other areas..it goes on and on what schools do and provide for children instead of simply teaching the ABC's.
As some have said....i have had a tooth pulled..doesn't mean i can pull a tooth..i had been in a plane...yet..i would not be qualified to fly a plane.
It is reasons such as this..that scares me for children. Just because you gave birth to a child..in no ways means you know it all or are better qualified to give your child a proper education that will take your child into a thriving positive self esteam and education to help her carry on in life.

Answer 4

My mom is a teacher, and I have several friends who are teachers. Near as I can figure out, they're all pretty much okay with homeschooling. The ones I know have mentioned a couple times, when it came up, that they did have doubts about how effective learning in the home environment would be. One of my friends has also mentioned that not all parents have the qualifications to be able to teach their children what they would need to know in a regular school.

Answer 5

Teachers attend college to learn how to become a teacher. They then practice for a semester. Most, if not all, are required to earn continuing education credits. Many get the masters in an area of specialty. If a parent has done all of this, go ahead and teach your child at home. I have always felt that I could teach from a cardboard box. It is not the location where one learns, rather the content. If a parent has not done this, then I must question why you feel you are qualified to teach your child. Do you also feel qualified to remove your child's tonsils? To put braces on their teeth?

Answer 6

I can't speak for the education community-

but what I found doing my master's thesis is that the opposition lies more in the lack of oversight.

You also have to take into consideration that on some level it does feel like a parent is saying "since you can't do your job." Although many homeschoolers choose to do it because they want to and not because of a negative view of schools, the more vocal ones seem to have something against schools. And many then often want the schools to provide some type of service

Answer 7

I agree with a lot that's already been said. I taught school for 23 years. the children I know that were homeschooled were usually behind their peers in level of work completed. "work at your own pace" is fine for some that are really motivated, but if the parent/teacher can't get them interested in the work, they take their own sweet time getting it done. I think it boils down to motivation...if the child is motivated to learn and the teacher can motivate them when it doesn't come naturally. that applies to all subjects, not just one area that the child is interested in and would pursue anyway. like any "do-it-yourself" project, it's great if ya know how.

Answer 8

I have been a public school teacher for many years yet I home school my high school son. Sometimes a public school setting is just not a good fit for some kids. I am a firm believer and always loved school. My own three children do not have this drive, but I insist that they at least ge through high school.

Answer 9

Teachers study for years to become a near expert in their required field. This translates to a Bachelors, a Masters, and non-stop Continuing Eduation Units for their entire careers.

That means that each day a child is being taught by five or six different professionals in subject matter and general education.

What makes any parent feel that they can teach this material at home? I've flown in a plane many times, but could I fly one? No way...

Answer 10

The problem with home schooling is many parents are not up to par with the education system, causing their children to below average within the mainstream of school educated children. Also, as most colleges and University require a standard mark to enter..most of the home schooled children do not met the requirements to enter.
Home schooling often puts kids at a strong disadvantage in many ways..as you said beside social aspect./.which is a very important part of the child's life..home school kids miss out on alot of high tech ways of teaching.
I have known a few people who have decided to home school..and once their children went back to school..they were far below the standards and had to redo many ways of learning.

teachers are professionals who dedicated themselves to go to university to obtain a teaching degree. it takes far more than opening up a book one can easily buy at a store and point and say.."here is math"
I fare with the school system with this...i believe you are giving your child a big disadvantage in a hard world to begin with, by homeschooling.