I voted with the 48%. Generally speaking I support a parent's right to educate their school aged children at home. I think that it can be a very effective way to train children - especially in their early years. I know parents who have been doing this for over 25 years and have seen many of their children go on to be very successful in life. I think that it is a huge commitment and something that you must feel that God has both called you to and equipped you to do.
What do you think? Do you or anyone you know homeschool? Do you have any experiences to share?
It's a subject that intrigues me, because home schooling seems to be much rarer in Australia than America, probably because our public schools don't seem to be as problematic. Also, reasonable christian schools are quite cheap. I have only ever known 3 families who homeschooled, and none of them was for thechild's entire education, but only part. It was also for very diverse reasons.
ReplyDeleteMe? I never even thought about it. Apart from being perfectly happy with my kids' schools, I also wanted them to have the experience of being taught by other people who had strengths in areas I don't -- eg sport, crafts, music etc,I didn't want my children's chances to explore their talents limited by my limitations -- I am NOT a good all rounder.
I was home-schooled and HS my children as well. Like any kind of schooling it can be successful if done properly, it can be horrible if done poorly. Much depends on the commitment of the parents and the quality of the curriculum.
ReplyDeleteThe diversity of home-schoolers, their motivations, and can make it difficult to understand, and easy to stereotype.
Homeschool my children. I'm in year sixteen. It's not without its drawbacks, but the merits far outweigh them, particularly in the early years. I think homeschooling between K-8 is superb. I'm less convinced that high school is as effective at home. I like homeschooling in high school that makes use of resources, classes and opportunities that go beyond the four walls of home.
ReplyDeleteIf those are in place, that homeschooling through high school can work. I have seen good success with transitioning to a public or private high school as well.
Allow me to be ambiguous. For me, it depends on why someone is homeschooling their children, and just how qualified they are to do it.
ReplyDeleteAllow me to give a couple of examples.
I have a relative that is home schooling her kids because she wants to keep them away from "all those heathen kids". To me that is a terrible reason. If every Christian thought that way there would be no one to be a witness to "all those heathen kids".
This same relative is in no way qualified to be teaching anyone. There is no tactful way to say that she herself is not very smart.
So, in her situation I am absolutely opposed to homeschooling. She is doing it for the wrong reasons, and she is not qualified in the least.
On the other hand, if a parent wants to homeschool for an appropriate reason and they are qualified then I support them and think they should have the right to do it.
Yeah - i agree with Mark on this one.
ReplyDeleteI have seen some very socially inept kids come out of home schooling, it's not that home schooling is wrong but the key would have to be the ciriculum and the ability of those delivering it. Some of it is what I call chew and spew and not education by discovery.
I agree with your thoughts on the early years.
We homeschool. I disagree with Mark and Mork. Having a piece of paper from a college does not qualify one to be a teacher. I think that is part of the problem with education. We have way too many bad teachers. They have the piece of paper that says they can do it, but that isn't enough. I have a vested interest in my child's education, whether qaulified or not, I think I might try a little harder than a teacher that sees by kid as just another (pause) brick in the wall.
ReplyDelete