Does homeschooling provide a quality education?

[Fern]

In response to a related thread to homeschooling, my question is this:
Does home schooling provide a quality education?

I feel that it doesn't. I know of someone who home-schooled their son until he was about 10 years old, when he finally went to public school. But with all those years of home schooling, he didn't have many friends to chum around with, and when he did go to public school, he lacked the social skills to make new friends.

On top of that, he was actually performing behind academic standards for his grade level.

I don't think most parents have the kind of comprehensive, well-rounded knowledge that's needed to teach their children beyond more than just the early grades. I mean, when was the last time you had to do any geometry, algebra or calculus?

[miclason]

hmmm.... as there is no homeschooling option in El Salvador, I really couldn't tell you, but, they say Guatemala does have an option to do that and, what the government does is send you the curricula, so that you have at least a guide as to what to teach...I've heard of a woman that did this and, when she did send her children to school, they were ahead of the rest of the classes...

If a kid does not have siblings or cousins that live nearby, I feel a homeschooling parent has to take the socializing factor into consideration and try to provide the opportunities for social interaction, which can be "extra-curricular" classes or church groups or just plain play groups with other children...

I would never homeschool, precisely because I know I cannot provide a quality education myself...(I lack the patience, and I'm not sure I have the knowledge, either!)

[DivaJen]

Some homeschooling parents do a fabulous job; others don't.

Some public school teachers do a fabulous job; others don't.

Some private school teachers do a fabulous job; others don't.

Some children do really well in a homeschooling environment; others don't.

Some children do really well in a classroom environment; others don't.

Some homeschool environments look more like classrooms.

Some classrooms look more like homeschool environments.

You can't make a sweeping generalization. There are always shades of gray, cases where one works and the other doesn't. To draw a conlcusion based on one anecdote is faulty.

[DivaJen]

Originally Posted by Fern

I mean, when was the last time you had to do any geometry, algebra or calculus?

All the time - my brain is drawn to those topics. Plus, I tutor professionally. but even if I didn't, my brain sees patterns, notices mathematical replationships. I couldnt stop that even if I wanted to. And yes, that includes Calculus. My daughter has a conical bath toy with a hole in the bottom. It's a related-rate problem waiting to be solved, watching the water drain out. I see things like that every day. Same goes for scientific topics.

[Fern]

I don't doubt that you have a particular interest in mathematical relationships, but my point was that most people do not have a keen interest in ALL subjects necessary to provide a good education, eg, you may be good at math, but lack interest or knowledge in English, History or Geography.

[34saving]

I see this from the "other side" since my husband was home educated age 10-18. In his experience (and I grant that home schooling experiences vary WIDELY) he studied pretty much what he wanted to study. Therefore, he knows electrical, plumbing, woodworking, etc. that most public school kids wouldn't know (unless they studied it outside of school). However, despite having a VERY mathematical mind, he can't "do math" -- not even algebra. This is frustrating for me because for most of my students the hardest part of math and science is "setting up the problems", not solving them. My husband is the exact opposite. Oh, as a side note he was also VERY VERY motivated to finish college . . .otherwise he'd have no degree at all.

[zakity]

We homeschool and I think that if you take the time and effort, the kids can have an education that is way better than what they get at a public school.

[PrincessPerky]

It can work wonderfully, and it can fail dreadfully.

Same as public schools, or private, or just about anything.

When was the last time I did algebra? The other night when dealing with my checkbook, other than that, nothing to difficult since highschool, doesn't that suggest that maybe it isn't all that important? (not that I plan on skipping it, but I also will not fret if it is not so easy for my kids, there are other needs in the world)

When was the last time I had to worry about 'diagraming sentences'? not since 8th grade, might have been a bit of a waste of time mightenit? (ok that I will skip, though I will do 'parts of speech and all that')

Socially? I was homeschooled till 8th grade, I managed better than some and worse than the 'prom queen' but come to think of it, I wouldn't have enjoyed being the prom qeen even if I knew how to do it.

Oh, on that subjects I don't have intimate knowledge of, who says I am the only one teaching my son? Not only does he live in the 'information age' but honest I am not friendless, I have a few freinds who know more than me in many areas (umm make that most of them .) Why can't I get them to help me teach my kids? Homeschooling is not limited to mom or mom and dads knowledge, it is limited only by the imagination .

I tutored a kid awhile back, she was 'traditionally schooled' in College at the time I worked with her, couldn't 'Do math' simple stuff wasn't easy to her, I thought it was a piece of cake, not because of my schooling, because of my 'math brain' minor talent there. Not everyone is a 'math' kindof person, and not everyone finds spelling to be such a pain, urgh and English? I know starting every sentence with the same word isn't proffesional, but for the life of me I have not the imagination to 'vary my writing' must be why I am not a writer for a living!!!! People have different skills, we can shore up the deficiencies, accentuate the positives, and hopefully find a job that fits what we do best. (or we could suffer needlessly for not all being the same)

[kashi]

People have different skills, we can shore up the deficiencies, accentuate the positives, and hopefully find a job that fits what we do best.

Agreed. The fact that we have different skills is not necessarily reflective of the schooling method we had.

DivaJen, I really appreciated your first post. I've seen many an online debate about homeschooling (most of which turn into mud-slinging fests all too quickly) and your point comes across very clearly.

[Firefly]

Originally Posted by DivaJen

Some homeschooling parents do a fabulous job; others don't.

Some public school teachers do a fabulous job; others don't.

Some private school teachers do a fabulous job; others don't.

Some children do really well in a homeschooling environment; others don't.

Some children do really well in a classroom environment; others don't.

Some homeschool environments look more like classrooms.

Some classrooms look more like homeschool environments.

You can't make a sweeping generalization. There are always shades of gray, cases where one works and the other doesn't. To draw a conlcusion based on one anecdote is faulty.

Well put!

[Bruce Wayne]

I tend to agree with Jen and would like email reminders of this thread as it progresses hence this quite useless post

[whaskins09]

Originally Posted by 34saving

I see this from the "other side" since my husband was home educated age 10-18. In his experience (and I grant that home schooling experiences vary WIDELY) he studied pretty much what he wanted to study. Therefore, he knows electrical, plumbing, woodworking, etc. that most public school kids wouldn't know (unless they studied it outside of school). However, despite having a VERY mathematical mind, he can't "do math" -- not even algebra. This is frustrating for me because for most of my students the hardest part of math and science is "setting up the problems", not solving them. My husband is the exact opposite. Oh, as a side note he was also VERY VERY motivated to finish college . . .otherwise he'd have no degree at all.

There are actually schools called vocational schools, or some places call them technical schools, which are public, and provide more of a "basic" high school education, meanwhile focusing on trade related education. For example, one of my friends went to a vocational highschool and the requirements for graduating were centered around 1 math 1 english and 1 science class a year meanwhile the other 5 periods of the day were focused on his "career." He took automotive classes and when he graduated he was that much closer to being a certified mechanic. There are also options for cosmotology, cabnetry, gen woodworking, electrical, culinary, secretarial, etc. Of course these schools are meant for students who wish to go on to trade schools after highschool, not really for those who wish to go to college for, example, philosophy.


I hate to be biased but being a recent graduate of highschool ive noticed that homeschool students tend to be "short-changed" when it comes to education. I know everyone says that different homeschool environments provide different results some good and some bad, and in rare circumstances they are good. But it would be foolish of everyone to think that homeschooling is in any way superior to regular schooling. Here is why:

*Public schools, at least in NJ, mandate that teachers have degrees in the field they are teaching. Homeschooling parents rarely have degrees in all the fields necessary to develop a well rounded education. Id like to meet the parent that has a degree and is capable of teaching physics (all aspects of physics, i.e. vectors, which are hard to understand) and at the same time provide critical analysis of classic pieces of literature (i.e. antigone, shakespearean).

*the social factor is a big issue. you can deny the validity if you want but its there. there were 5 kids who came to my class when i was in highschool, all of whome were homeschooled from k-6. After only a couple months they all ended up going back to homeschooling, they just couldnt fit in. Kids develop basic social skills at an early age, especially k-4th grade. If they are homeschooled and not allowed to interact with others as well as they would in grammer school how could that benefit them?

* of those 5 kids who were homeschooled not one of them scored higher then 850 on their SATs. The average for my class in highschool was 1000. big difference

* the only situation i can consider a good one for homeschooling is inner city schooling. i think the chances of receiving a better education at home from well educated parents is a lot better then receiving a good education from their school system.

The depth highschools have become, with sports, extra curricular activities (musicals, community service clubs, plays, common interest clubs), social events (proms and dances), music curriculam is amazing. I cant imagine a homeschooled kid receiving a better education than those in highschool, except in rare cases, and every homeschooled kid ive met has been at a major disadvantage, especially when it comes to college. Homeschooled kids cant develop bonds with teachers to receive letters of recommendation, are at a loss for scholarships which are usually based on participation in aspects at school and academic acheivment, and usually go to college with a lower basic education than high school counterparts.

If anyone can think of one advantage to homeschooling i would like to hear it, i feel bad for students who want to go to highschool and know they would receive a better education but are forced but ignorant parents to stay at home because they think the internet will magically help teach their kid everything they would learn in highschool. First of all there are few academically credited websites that are capable of provided the depth of information than an actual educated teacher can provide. if it were that easy to get a good education with the help of the internet i think people would be taking advantage of it more then they are.

[cercis]

Princess - you used algebra to balance your checkbook? Umm, what the heck were you doing?

I'll do the simplest of algebra to set up spreadsheets for paying off debt, but it is very simple algebra, nothing like what my kids will need to learn for high school and college. If I were still in my original field, I'd be using algebra and calculus and statistics daily, so I think it's important for kids to learn it.

I could never homeschool. We do a lot of supplemental at home. I get to teach my kids about earth sciences while they learn the other stuff at school. Works well for us. Plus, it allows me to have a parttime job

[pyotr]

The biggest problem with homeschooling is that the vast majority of kids have some form of inner conflict when it comes to learning from their parents. Most kids have spent their whole lives taking orders and directions from their parents. If they're good kids, they don't mind it and understand that their parents do what's right for the kids. Even so, there's always an inner beast that wants to rebel against their parents and just say no to everything. When you set yourself up as your child's sole adult educator, you can see some of the problems it could engender whether grossly obvious or not.

[cercis]

I spoke with my MIL, a college professor.

She says the biggest issue is a lack of critical thinking skills. She says kids in public school are exposed to many different viewpoints on life *firsthand* and they learn to develop skills to dissect those viewpoints and to defend and adapt their own viewpoints.

She says this shows up strongly in her speech classes. Her office suite mate chimed in and said that she sees the same thing in essays in her english classes.

Now, this area is Southeastern Oklahoma where people who homeschool do it almost exclusively for fundamental religious reasons. Where kids are taught NOT to think for themselves at all.

But my MIL also taught in the bigger cities in Oklahoma and was exposed to kids with parents of all philosophies of life (from the liberals who homeschooled so their child could travel all over the world with them, to the conservatives who homeschooled so their child could help in their charitable ministry, to the fundamentalists who homeschooled solely so their child wouldn't be exposed to the world). She says that some of the kids were exposed to other viewpoints via TV and travel but it wasn't the same as developing relationships with people with differing viewpoints.

[FrugalTexan75]

I am a former elementary teacher (primary grades.) I saw how much wasted time there was in the school day. I personally experienced how stretched one teacher can be to have a classroom full of children ranging in abilities, and trying to meet each of their needs. Trying to help each one of them succeed and grow from where they were. It's difficult to do. Some kids might not get as much attention as others - especially when you have one child who is barely recognizing her ABC's, and another who is reading Little House on the Prarie books in the same classroom.

I taught at a "parochial" school. But some of the things I heard my kids talking about, some of the tv programs they were allowed to watch (at 5,6,7 years old!) some of the movies they were allowed to watch!!! OY VEY!! There were times when I really truly wondered what the difference was between our school and public school. Sometimes the only difference that I could see was that prayer and talking about God was allowed and expected.

If and when I ever have children, I will if at all possible homeschool them. I won't do it to shelter them from the world, and I won't do it for their whole school life. But I will do it until they are old enough and mature enough to form their own opinons without bowing to peer pressure.

Yes, socilization is a major factor. There are many ways that can become less of a factor. Many states have homeschooling organizations where families who homeschool get together for various activities - sports, cultural events, "playdates" etc., etc. Also, you're tax money is still paying for the public school system whether your child is in it or not. That means that your child would most likely be able to participate in after school functions, as well as have the right to behavioral and emotional and academic testing and counseling.

However, I will say that homeschooling is certainly NOT suitable for every parent or every child. It does take a lot of self-discipline on the part of the parent, as well as tremendous organizational skills, and a good dose of creativity helps too. It takes someone who is willing to be flexible and know how to find the teachable moments.

So anyway, just throwing my two cents into the pot.

Keeping It Frugal in Texas,
Laura

[barbara L]

I homeschooled my son his entire 8th grade year. He loved it and I loved it. He is a highschool freshman now and hates it. So I'm taking him out at the end of this first semester.

As for friends, he has way too many. As for smarts, he can put a motorcycle engine together and tell you what every part is and does. He can read, write, do algebra, cook a dinner and balance a check book.

Someday he will be a great adult.

My other 3 kids all went/go to regular public school.

[PrincessPerky]

Originally Posted by whaskins09

If anyone can think of one advantage to homeschooling i would like to hear it....

I didn't have to get up as early as you to graduate . Oh and I can have a first grader who isn't yet 6, not happening in the public school (he is 'too young') Though funny thing, he isn't to young to ask to learn, why is he to young to be allowed to?

Algebra in my checkbook, Algebra starts as simple as "what plus this equals that", So tecnically I did it yesterday with my son while doing his math worksheet, as well as my checkbook. (what missing amount plus that equals the real amount?)

Socialization in early years, most of the 'personality' is developed BEFORE a child sets foot in a public school, so you are missing that there, most of the peer pressure in the world is experienced in the public school years. That doesn't mean you learn how to deal with it there, that means you experience it there, you learn to deal with it based on your support generally (family and real friends).

'wasted time' Oh man is there ever wasted time in Mass, Age based education! I manage to teach my young son everything he would need to know to pass first grade in a couple hours a day, not that we only learn for a couple hours, but that is all the time I need to finish the required curriculum, beyond that I can do what I want, or more specifically he can do what he wants and learn what he wants.

Do I have a degree in physics? nope but as earlier mentioned I don't have to be the only one teaching him, when he wants to learn (if he wants to learn) physics he can go find someone to teach him, paid or friend. How about all the questions he asks now? I have a library, and internet, and friends, someone has to know the answer, even if it takes a few weeks, I will get the answer for him (I now know what 60 in French is, he has moved on in interest)

The reasons people have for homeschooling and the childs base abilities both play a HUGE role in how well the final kid tests. Obviously (to me) a person Home educating to 'avoid the world' will have a kid at a disadvantage! And I bet they would have a disatvantage forced into school as well. (any idea what kind of teasing a kid not allowed to see a non G movie would get in 6th grade????)

I personally do it cause I do not want to waste my kids time so that he knows the 'pop culture', I would rather he spent his time learning what interests him, though at times that is starwars and the hobbit (not what his age mates are interested in, but officially 'pop culture') other times it is more on animals(is a centipede an insect or does it have its own 'group') or math (what else adds up to 50? - he is only in first grade here) Or any number of things that he can fill his time with (building marblework contraptions, or mixing colors, or rolling clay, or bulding tie fighters from blocks, or digging up dirt)

The reason statistics nationwide are in favor of homeschooling IMO is cause if you chose to home educate, you prolly care about education, and therefor WILL do what you need to get a proper education for your kid. But again if you do it to avoid the world or the work of school (and getting up that early IS WORK) then you might not have the best of success.

Can it work? Obviously it CAN, and has many times. Will it work? That is up to the parent and child team.

[Luv2shop]

I have a hard enough time helping my kids with their homework.

[PrincessPerky]

Says something about your education doesn't it? were you traditionally schooled?

And regardless, you would be amazed what you can learn when your child asks .