Why Doesn't the government like homeschooling?

Question

Earlier i asked about homeschooling being accepted, i didnt mean that our government didn't accept homeschooling I just meant why does it SOMETIMES get its nosed turned up by other citizens in this country (and others)? In california (I have been told) that it is harder to homeschool than it is in , let's say, Arkansas. I was just wondering why this is? ( I did not mean to um..offend anyone)

Answer 1

Some states have tougher guidelines and rules governing how to homeschool a student. Some even go so far as to require the parent and gaurdian (and to my knowledge only parents or gaurdians can homeschool children in most states) to have a college level degree before being approved. The reason for the disparity is that educational curriculum and goals are set indidividually by each state, States that have higher test scores and are considered "good" education states often have tougher rules fo homeschooling. The reasoning often being that they need the homeschoolers to work on similar levels as traditionally educated students in case they return to the public schools. The tougher rules may also, on some levels, be there to dissaude parents from taking their kids out of the school system as this can affect the school's budget and the amount the school may get in federal funds.

Other states have little in the way of guidelines (although most states will do at least a yearly review). This may be because the state does not feel homeschoolers need as much guidance, may not have the budget to follow all the homeschoolers or may be more open to the idea because of political, religous or other factors prevelant in the general government of that area.

Whatever the state..and whatever their rules towards homeschooling..it is up to the homeschooling parent to be sure they are in accordance and to know the laws. Many schools will try to ask for more than the state requires, so it pays to have copies of the rules and regs for your state and district with you at reviews.

Answer 2

Same answer as I gave before still basically applies.

As far as CA it sounds harder than it is and it is also a very liberal states EXCEPT for homeschooling! Go figure.....

You didn't offend me at all !

by the way gduluth needs to be homeschooled so he can spell and write in a way that makes sense! Walking to class? Reality check --- I had no idea this was a life skill! A lot of homeschoolers do have schedules - they're just DONE with school by noon/one o'clock because they don't have busy work.

Answer 3

Government does not dislike homeschooling. It is legal in all 50 states. Some states have more stringent reporting requirements than others. Some require little documentation, others require alot.
Also, don't fall for the ignorance being spouted about limited socialization. This is said by people who know nothing of homeschooling and simply have a bias against something outside of their own comfort zone. Homeschoolers in general are very well socialized, as they are involved in networks, co-ops, music, sports, church, family, neighborhood, service organization and community activities. Much better than sitting in a class with 30 other people your own age.
Also, homeschoolers do better on standardized test than public and private schooled kids.
It's a superior way to educate a person.

Answer 4

Well, the government is made up of people. We can see by the varied visitors in this group that many non-homeschoolers don't trust parents to provide what they need to for their children's education. In some areas this more prevalent than in others.

And I've heard the words of a former minister of education here who outright said that he did not agree with homeschooling. He said he did feel it was a parent's right to choose, though. There are undoubtedly going to be people in government who haven't a clue about homeschooling and are going to accept it only because they see the legal right of it. Or they know they can't fight it.

Answer 5

homeschooling is becoming more and more common. in the past people felt that the homeschool community was for religious fanatics who wanted to shelter their children from secularism but today more people are realizing that homeshoolers have higher GPA's and are scoring higher on standardized tests than kids who attend public school. the government doesn't know what is "going on behind closed doors" and why so many homeschooled children turn out to be better equipped (or at least equally equipped)for college than public school kids. homeschoolers attend co-ops that aid in socialization, they are encouraged to participate in a number of extracurricular activities including sports and drama.

Answer 6

The amount of federal money a state receives is based upon the number of students are enrolled in public school. The less students, the less federal subsidizing!

Answer 7

If you were spending a ton of money doing something, and making lots of regulations for that project, then someone came along and did it for 1/20 of the price with better results, what would you do? You would have two choices - jump on the bandwagon, or criticize the system that so thoroughly beat your system.

Answer 8

Each state's laws governing homeschooling are different.

Answer 9

I really don't know what their problem is. I mean its a better education and you can still be social and spend time w/friends and go places. Personally I've done more things and been more social than i was in high school. I'm doing much better and lovin it.

Answer 10

my question for Mike is this:
That distinguishes it from public school how, exactly?