leonf

I think socialization is a huge part of schooling and it should not be neglected. I've had parents ( in my own family) who have had kids with social problems that have yanked them from "that evil school" and trained them to be less soical and certainly less open to any ideas that aren't exactly what the parents believe. They set kids up for failure in the real world. I've also had fmaily members who have been in home school co op s that have had wonderful curriculms..but their relgion and skin tones were all the same.

1Nanoo

I have a degree in secondary education and have taught at the high school and college level. I did not, however, choose to home school my children. My children were Air Force "brats" and went to several different schools in different states, nations. In public schools the students learn to deal with diversity and they are exposed to other belief systems, and have a wider variety of learning opportunities by trained teachers. In my opinion dedication does not compensate for education, and a lot of learning is through interaction with other students, teachers, etc. This is just my opinion, but my girls, who are in their 30's and 40's now would never trade their educational experiences for home schooling.

1Nanoo

Watson, you have said this better than I ever could. You are spot on.

bearisgray

I think the opportunities for "advanced learning" depend a lot on the community one lives in.

I grew up in a small community - that as far as I can tell has not changed all that much, except that now irrigation systems have been installed on some of the farms.

It is - comparatively speaking - very homogenized.

The religious mix is Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, and Baptist.

The major nationalities represented are German, Norwegian, and Swedish.

Comparatively speaking, this is a very non-diverse group of people.

klswift

I am 100% in favor of a public school education - But - I believe it is like a 3 legged stool dependent on student, teacher and parent working together or the stool collapses. Administration should only be there for support. You can not just drop your child off and expect great results. The child needs to know the parent is an active participant in their education (that does not require you being at the school, I understand work schedules can conflict). I went to every school event and sports event that I could and their teachers knew who I was. (I did this without being a helicopter parent.) You can sit at the table at night when they do their homework to be available If they have a question. You can read together, you can go places to learn about stuff, you can ask them actual questions about their day. Simple things such as having them figure out how much a tip should be at the restaurant is a teaching moment. I raised 4 kids and they all went to university on a variety of scholarships and assisted several other kids in their quest for education (including one who wanted to go to a trade school). but they knew I was right there to have their backs. So much more than just 'book learnin' happens at a school. They learn about how to deal with people, good and bad, they learn how to handle difficult situations and how to take care of themselves. They learn the importance of helping one another and working as a team. They learn how to cope in the world while they still have a safety net.

sewbizgirl

Ha ha... I have to shake my head at some of the 'opinions' of those who have had no experience homeschooling, whatsoever. I home educated all three of my children during the 90's and 2000's and finished up when the last one graduated in 2008. I'm sad to see the same old fallacies about homeschooling are still alive and well.

Actually, the "insular world" is in the institutional classroom, where the kids are surrounded by only those of their same age, every day of their life. If they weren't confined to that environment for the vast majority of their waking hours (not to mention tied up with hours more of homework once they get home), they might have time to learn all the other important aspects of life... cooking, building, gardening, raising animals, learning a trade with mom or dad, volunteer work, fine arts training, or whatever their natural leanings are. They would not be subject to "group think" and indoctrination of what is "correct" according to someone who the government hired to "educate" them. They instead grow and flourish within the values of their parents.

In reality, you don't need nearly as much time to educate a child every day when you don't have to waste time dealing with the kids who act out (at worst), or just can't keep up with your child's learning level (at best). It is not necessary to replicate the format of public school, and is not even beneficial.

Home educating families are more often than not part of local support groups with other HE families. There are tons of opportunities to "socialize", learn together, take field trips and just gather to have play days. They are also with peers in church and community sports teams. The concept that HE kids are just kept in a box, is ridiculous. And they are out in society so much more than kids confined to the classroom. They are unfettered! They are commonly very comfortable conversing with people of all ages, especially adults. They have a huge 'leg up' on being productive adult citizens. And they, in large percentage, do become leaders as adults.

School can really harm a child's natural love of learning by boring them, day after day after day.

So I'm offering a few thoughts that may be new to some... from someone who has lived the home educating life.

sewbizgirl

There is a vast array of excellent curriculum available to choose from. If you send you kids to a school you just have to take what you get!

NZquilter

Glad to see you chime in, Sewbizgirl! I was hoping you would, being a homeschool mom. I agree with everything you said!

cashs_mom

I think it depends on where you are and how you choose to approach it. I know several families here who home school. They are part of a home school group in their areas. They network with other families for lots of field trips and social time. I haven't found their children to be any less well socialized than the public school kids and in general a lot more mannerly and well behaved. Its a huge commitment, but I can't say I wouldn't do it considering the state of public schools.

SusieQOH

I mentioned my Catholic education, which I didn't like. We were treated like a herd of cattle. There were a minimum of 50 kids per class (usually more) and if you weren't near the top you were at a disadvantage. I went from grades 2-10.
In 7th grade they separated the boys from the girls and then Freshman year I went to an all girls high-school.

In my junior year I elected to go to a large public high school. It was a great experience. I went to school with the richest, poorest, and everyone in between, all races, ethnicities , religions, you name it. I'm so glad my parents allowed me to do it.
It was the best experience I had before college. The diversity was an education in itself. I made many friends along the way I would have never known had I stayed in the other high school.

We had a similar situation when our boys were in school. For most of their formative years they went to a school with kids just like them. When we moved we put them in a more diverse setting and they did just as well academically but were happier socially. They've told me many times those were their best school years before college.
This is a little off-topic but since we're discussing education I thought I'd mention it.