Would you say that homeschooling is better than public schools?

Question

Ive always wanted to know everyones opinion about homeschooling!

Answer 1

I was homeschooled most of my school years. I have a lot to say if you care to read on :-). I went to public school in 3rd and 4th grade and was homeschooled the rest. What are your reasons for possibly homeschooling? My mom did it for religious reasons and after teaching me herself for grades K, 1 and 2, I came home confused about God and Creation because of how I was taught in grades 3 and 4. Schools don't allow you to pray in school and I don't even think they do the pledge of allegience anymore. You arent in control of what your children learn in the school system, whereas when you are home, you know you need to teach history but your curriculum can be informative about God and the fact that our country was founded by religious people with respect and morals (or whatever you want it to be about). Plus they are also being taught by the lifestyles of their teachers and the other students around them.
I know children are children and should be allowed to act like it, but they are also mean and corrupt. I don't think you have to grow up in public school to learn how to handle yourself when you get older. I think that "bad company corrupts good morals" and having 30 kids to one teacher is not wise. A friend of mine told me all about sex when I was in 3rd grade. I never knew what it was because my mother didn't tell me about it until I was older, but I remember being told about it at 8 (im pretty sure I was 8). There were the popular kids, and the girls that dressed to get the guys attention, the kids that said the bad words and played the bad games. All of these bad, SAD things that I remember from when I was little. I feel for those children having to grow up so fast. They weren't in school to learn, but to survive almost. The weren't children, but little adults. They knew the wrong stuff. It is just sad because I'm sure it's gotten worse in 15 years.
My siblings go to public school (mom had to start working)and they are so different from me. My mom taught me common sense, how to develop character, and respect for authority, people, and property, along with the academic things I needed to learn in each grade. In school, they are all for the academic, but have left out a lot of important information. For example, My sister is graduating this year and cant spell. She has passed every year but I guess spelling isn't important to her teachers. My spelling might not be the greatest but hers is horrible! The schools are making them take these classes that they will never use in every day life, and not making sure they can read and write before graduation. Their priorities are out of whack! The teachers have a set workload that everyone follows and hopefully you caught on when she went over it in class. They dont have time to help 30 kids during class time. So, you have to set up after school tutoring which can be a problem if the parent has a job. So you can take the transportation provided and fail, or stay late for help and hope to get a ride home.
As far as friends go, I was homeschool through high school and had lots of friends. Neighbors, family members, people from church, people from work. Just because there are 100 kids in the whole grade, doesnt mean all those people are your friends and you're missing out if you don't have that. I think you walk away with a lot of aquaintances and leave with a FEW really good friends... There are local co-op support groups that you can join so you have help being the teacher, and your kids have friends too. If there is a subject that you struggle in, sometimes that group might have a class that you can go to with your child. You can google "homeschool groups in _______________ " (your area; if you can't find city, you should definitely find state-- for laws and groups).
There are also homeschool sports. I played soccor in highschool and when I was young, I remember being in the CHEN Olympics (Christian Home Educators Network). I won a medal for throwing the furthest :-).
The field trips are just as fun. As the teacher you can pick places that interest your child. Learning is fun!! I remember we went to the science center, the auarium, the nature conservatory, the state park where we watched how to make maple syrup, the zoo, the CRAYOLA factory, St. Mary's County (MD), Williamsburg (VA), Gettysburg (PA), the Smithsonian, several art museums, etc...... I remember all of these places and have great memories. And best of all, I got to share them with my family. And I got to go with friends too, because we did things with other homeschooling families. Mom and dad can teach together or seperately. So can an older sibling. And if you need to take a day off, take a day off. As long as you don't abuse time off, you can be flexible. School doesn't have to be Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 3:30.
I just don't like public school. I don't like their control over our children's education. They get to pick and choose and I think they've done a poor job. I don't like someone I don't know having the job of teaching my child. I don't like how a school can be put on lock down and you can not get to your child no matter how desperately you want to be with them. I dont think its right that if you give your child a cell phone and they have it in school, if a teacher takes it, they keep your phone until YOU can come get it (so if it's a friday and you cant run in, they have your property atleast until Monday). I think it's obvious that our school system has failed because of education level of their graduates and all of the school shootings there has been. When you don't teach about God and respect for others, when you leave out vital practical information, you're going to have failure!!
I don't know. I just don't agree with a lot of stuff that goes on!!
And being a "teacher" is a job. I remember loving one of my teachers and hating another. I called the one a monster because she was SO mean! She had a disease and ended up leaving early into the school year, and I remember loving the replacement. My point is, to some it's only a job. They don't take your childs feelings or needs into consideration.... and then there are the ones that do. Look how many cases of teachers sleeping with the kids that we have. Your children are better off with you. God gave them to you, why ship them off to be raised and taught by someone else?
I am 22 years old and have two children of my own (see I got married even though I didn't go to public school). When they are old enough, I want to homeschool because I feel it is best for my children. I might not be a scholar but I feel that what they can learn from their mom, is better than what they can learn from a teacher and a classroom full of disruptions.
In answer to your question, Yes I feel homeschooling is better than public school :-)

Answer 2

I just started homeschooling this year-my boys are 11 and 13. I wish I would have done it sooner. Homeschooling has come a long way from what people think it is. But, it's not for everyone. My kids were getting teased in public schools. My oldest went to the bathroom and was jumped on by 10 other kids of a differnt race. The teachers didn't do much because of the racial tension.(I'm white) Also, teachers can be shady. Unfortunatly, some could have bad intentions. Not all,most teachers are wonderful. But, let's face it-it's a crazy world. Also, my kids were having at least 3 to 4 hours homework everyday. They had no time to do chores, or just be a kid. They were learning too many cuss words, hearing violent music, and a 13 year old was pregnant at their school. Kids were actually coming to school with hickies on their necks. With homeschooling, I teach them what they should know. At school they don't teach them how to manage their credit report, balance a checkbook, cook, write a resume, etc. I teach them from books, but also every other day we have "life's lessons" to where I teach them things about life, marriage, and family that they need to know to survive. Our homeschool group has park day once a week to where the kids play with each other, and co-op classes where the parents get a break and other people teach your kids. I do go to church, but my curriculm is not entirely "religious". I do give them test and homework, just not 3 hours worth. I guess the biggest drawbacks I have found to homeschooling is that I had worked my whole marriage until now. So, the one income is hurting us-I like my spending money! And, being with my kids 24/7 gets stressful. I am kinda a recluse anyway, and love to be alone. So, my kids being there ALL THE TIME takes it toll. Other than that, I like homeschooling. It all depends on how you are teaching it as to weither or not your kids get socialized and how much effort you are putting into it.

Answer 3

I think it depends on the situation. Although I haven't homeschooled yet, I plan to start in the fall with my third grade son. I'm excited and so is he. I think there are lots of reasons to go the homeschooling route. Personally, I feel my son is being held back by the public school curriculum. His teachers have all been great, but they have too much on their plate with 30 children in the class and cannot devote individual attention to all the children. I can't imagine how a teacher with so many students can accomodate the slow, the average, and the children that are ahead, all at once.

Homeschool is a great option for parents when they feel that public schooling just isn't cutting it. It is a great way for the parent to take control of every aspect of the child's education. At the same time public school can be positive as well. Not all parents can or want to homeschool their children. I do believe however that even in if you send your children to public school that it can be an even better experience if parents would get more involved in their children's education. We have a right to know what is going on in the classroom, who the teacher is, what is being taught, how our children act, who their friends are, and anything else that could help us, help them.

I do not believe children are sent to school to be taught how to live in the "real" world. I think that type of "education" is the main reason so many children get distracted from what they are really there to learn.

Answer 4

It depends on the way the family handles it. Most of the homeschoolers I know handled it very well. It was great for them. When I was homeschooled, I loved it. I flourished (and I was only homeschooled for the last two years of high school.) However, I also know some families who did not handle it well. Their children did not learn and were not socialized. This is NOT the norm in homeschooling families, but there are some who should not homeschool. It depends entirely upon the family.

Answer 5

Homeschooling is most definitely better than public school. Most of the time. Sometimes when the parents don't know what they're doing, public school would be better. But for the most part hschooling is better than public school. For one the parents get to choose what curriculum they want to use. In public school, everybody has to go along with the free thinkers, new world idealists, and everybody else with their own agenda. Also, homeschooling is more realistic than public school. In real life you have to associate with all ages of people-not just your own age group-homeschooling tends to give this more. Plus in homeschooling, there is usually a better unity between parents and children.

Answer 6

Yes!

The education that my four homeschool students have received is by far better than the education I have from public school.

Three of my students are finished with school. They are very smart, hard-working and kind. One child is still studying at home. He could easily *graduate* at age 16 but we prefer that our students keep studying until they are 18 or 19. This way they are able to better prepare for college and obtain advanced credits. Tuition will be much lower in the long run if the student can master the material before starting college.

Answer 7

It definitely depends on who's teaching the kids.

The problem I have with homeschooling is that there are a lot of unqualified parents out there who think they can do a fine job but end up distorting reality for their children in their efforts to protect and educate the child in the manner in which the parent sees fit...

for some kids and some parents, i believe homeschooling CAN be much better than public schools -- and this would depend on the school system in question as well...

but not always.

Answer 8

Yes! You don't spend 8 hours at school in a building that has very little to do with real life, in a class with only people your age. This is NOT the real world.

Then you have 2 or more hours of homework starting in 3rd or 4th grade! My friend's 3rd grade daughter was sick for 2 weeks and what was she worried about? All her make-up homework!

Real learning time is probably 2 hours max, with all the changing classes and waiting your turn, etc.

I was a 6th grade teacher once. I was appalled how many kids were still reading at 1st grade level. I was very frustrated at how hard it was to teach a class of 24 kids! Some were way behind, some were bored to tears. You always end up teaching to the average kid.

Homeschooling your own is so so much easier!!!

Then, there's the fact that the curriculum is being highjacked by political groups that probably don't have the same values your family does. They spend lots of time teaching their bent on same-sex marriages, global warming, drugs, evolution, safe sex, other things besides focusing on how to read and write, and do math. (This has only happened in the last 20 years or so.. don't believe that schools are the same as when YOU were growing up!) (By the way, I think these are important topics to dialogue with kids about, but I want my kid to have all the facts on both sides, not a one-sided indoctrination. But we know that doesn't happen.)

Most kids leave school without being able to write a decent 3-paragraph paper with a topic sentence. College professors are appalled that freshman need to take remedial English classes. What are kids spending all there time doing? That's 8+ hours a day, 5 days a week, 12 years!!!!

Homeschooling gives a kid freedom!! To have time to learn at their own pace, to have free time to pursue their own interests. Freedom from "authorities" telling them what to think, but a chance to learn HOW to think and to make up their own minds.
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Answer 9

I'm not willing to make a blanket statement one way or another.

There are some families who really should not homeschool. Public schools would really be better for their kids.

There are, otoh, many families who provide something better through homeschooling than their local public schools can offer.

It's also going to come down to the child and what's available where they live.

ADDED: I just have to respond to the teacher who wrote:

"I like the fact that students in public school learn to deal with other children. They learn social skills and lessons such as life isn't always fair and how to make and live with the choices they make themselves. I think this helps them transition into the "real world." "

My homeschooled children do learn to deal with other children. They do learn, almost on a daily basis just with each other, but also with other kids, that life isn't always fair. Because I'm a dedicated parent, my kids do learn how to make and live with their choices. And my kids live in the real world, so there's no need for a transition.

Answer 10

Homeschooling, however you can not compare apples to oranges, so rather than asking " is one better than the other", maybe ask what type of education do you prefer?

Thank the Lord we live in a country that provides parents with the freedom to both raise, and educate their children as they choose.

Homeschooling, public (government), or private schools all have their place, and should be viewed as educational choices.

For us, homeschooling is the one, and only choice, no question about it.
All we have to do is look at the advantages it has provided for our children's education, and the many opportunities it gives them to pursue their interests.

Answer 11

YES! My boys have a lot more free time for bike riding. playing with friends and being boys. Our schooling takes just a few hours a day and they know everything they would have learned in public school.

My children don't care that they don't wear $60 jeans or $100 shoes. They are polite and courteous in public. They can talk to a person who is 90 just as easily as they can talk to someone who is 2.

My children are involved in so many extracurricular activities that there are days we have trouble fitting in all our school work. We do baseball, chess, co-op classes, cub scouts and drama. Also offered is roller skating, bowling, basketball, volleyball, soccer, swimming, Spanish and music. I am sure there are even more that I am not thinking of or have yet to learn about!

This is of course besides the fact that our state is about to step in and take over at least one school in our school system and should take over the entire system to get it straighted out. Our school system is failing and I think my children deserve better than that.