Home schooling in CA

[Alex]

I would disagree with that as well. But the homeschooling debate is like the abortion debate. All that happens in most discussions of it is that people slowly get angry with each other.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

For the record, NCLB was written by big time liberal Ted Kennedy. Many people try to pin this on Bush, and this is what happens when trying to reach across the aisle. Anyway.....

Yes, I know. I knew this when it was passed, and I didn't like it back then, either. Just because someone is liberal doesn't mean they don't look critically at other liberals. Bush, as president, is the bottom line, though - and if a liberal president had passed it, I would have blamed them, too.

I don't have children so I'm a bit hesitant to really weigh in on home schooling, since I'm not actually in the thick of the reality. Or, at least, I'm not interested in absolutes because, not having a child, I can't really fully imagine what it's like.

I know that the public system is simply not right for every child, so I have no problems with people taking matters into their own hands. At the same time, I do think that the well-roundedness is very important - as is learning to cooperate with children other than your relatives, and learning to work with adults other than your parents. If I were to put my children into home-schooling, I imagine I'd want to use a co-op with many other children taught by many other parents, and I suspect I'd want them to learn all of the standard subjects taught in school, as well as the creative ones that have been all but eliminated.

For kids that work OK within the provided system, I've really appreciated what my sister has done with them outside of school - their homework period has served as a sort of home-schooling session, building on what they've learned at school (teaching higher-level and real-life applications.) I think this gives kids the best of both education processes.

[wendybeth]

Each state has different requirements for teaching homeschool, and it appears California at present is a bit more lax than others. As homeschooling increases in popularity nationwide it is likely that such things as teaching and curriculum requirements will tend toward standardization, but it won't happen without a fight from both sides- the public school system and parents who value their autonomy with regards to their child's education. One interesting note: here in Washington, the school districts were very much against homeschooling, at least until the NCLB, WASL testing and such were enacted. Then they couldn't wait to set up homeschool programs, which have turned out to be quite profitable for them. They receive the funding from the state for the kids, and they have minimal output. Parents get a modest stipend ($500 a year) for supplies and the school gets the same amount as a full-time student. I find it somewhat amusing to see the same officials who railed against homeschooling a decade ago now embracing it enthusiastically.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

This is based on the premise that public education does better. I do not support that premise.

I'd like to point out, for the 3rd time, that I'm not suggesting that homeschooling be abolished in favor of sticking them all in public schooling. I simply am saying that a higher standard of accountability is a justifiable pursuit of the state.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

I would suggest that public school is done badly FAR more often than home schooling is done badly.

I and I would suggest that most students who are doing poorly in public school would also do poorly if their parents were homsechooling them.

[scaeagles]

LS, I agree - Bush blew it on this by signing it and allowing Kennedy to write it (or rather his staff). I've never supported it, but I think it is important that it is known that NCLB wasn't a grand republican idea to fix education.

NCLB is just one more failed attempt at a one size fits all education system. I don't think there is one. This is why I think home schooling is such a great alternative, particularly for those who can't afford a private school that meets their needs.

[wendybeth]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

This is based on the premise that public education does better. I do not support that premise.

I agree. Again, like I stated before, if the system was so fabulous, why are they trying to fix it? Plenty of kids slip through the cracks and their parents have to stand by helplessly and hope that someone in a position of authority will do the right thing. The school systems are so friggen political it's disgusting, and anyone who has had a child in pubic school and had to contend with the arrogance encountered when trying to resolve a problem at or with school can attest to that. Their attitude is "Too bad- we're the only game in town so you'll have to suck it up". With homeschooling, the field has been leveled a bit. I'll tell you what- they treat homeschool parents a great deal more respectfully than regular student parents. We work with the school as a team with the same goal: a quality education for the child. The bad attitudes I dealt with in regular public school are non-existent.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Would you say the same of doctors?

If I were stuck in a room with 25 other patients who may or may not have similar symptomology and medicinal allergies and we were all told to turn to page 154 of the health textbook to cure our ills or to follow along on the chart while he points out various organs.....yeah, I probably would.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

I'd like to point out, for the 3rd time, that I'm not suggesting that homeschooling be abolished in favor of sticking them all in public schooling. I simply am saying that a higher standard of accountability is a justifiable pursuit of the state.

I don't believe anyone thinks you have said that. I just believe that if you are saying even a small percentage of kids failing in homeschooling is unacceptable you might think public education was a worse choice in most circumstances, even with teachers trained in education.

[BarTopDancer]

I believe that the public education system failed me. I also participated in an educational institution very similar to home-schooling, where I don't think I learned much at all. Somehow I managed to graduate high school short credits and unable to do math. Can't do basic algebra or beyond to save my life.

Because of these missing math skills, I was unable to get into a Cal State school (scores were to low). So I chose to go after my community college, non-transferable AA. That got me by for a bit, until I found that I'd probably not get very far in life. Heck, even now I couldn't transfer in to a Cal State school (as a junior) without passing a basic math class first (which I tried several times to do at GWC and OCC). That was the only thing keeping me out. A bit of research and I found that I was able to get in to PSU. I'll have to pass a Stats class this summer. All I need is a D. My beautiful 3.9x gpa will be marred because it is highly unlikely I'll get anything beyond that D. Getting that will be a huge struggle, and I will take it.

I'm smart. And I've gotten some very lucky breaks in life without having a degree. I work in IT - I've tinkered with computers my entire life. But if you look at job listings now, it's a BA/BS degree AND experience to get your foot in the door. I can't leave my job, because I don't have the degree to get me another one. There is to much talent with degrees, they don't need to look at anyone without one.

Wendy - I don't think anyone here is criticizing you for homeschooling T.