Does homeschooling provide a quality education?

[FrugalTexan75]

Re: Does homeschooling provide a quality education?

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]

Re: Does homeschooling provide a quality education?

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]

Re: Does homeschooling provide a quality education?

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]

Re: Does homeschooling provide a quality education?

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

[PrincessPerky]

Re: Does homeschooling provide a quality education?

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 .

[etswife2005]

Re: Does homeschooling provide a quality education?

I can only speak for my children who have only been homeschooled...

My now 15 year old takes all of her classes on-line except for math. She is passing all of her classes with an A including Honors English and Honors Biology. We have a Math tutor for her which is something we would have to do even if she were in school... She just doesn't always get it... She has been part of 4-H since she was 9. She has won the State wildlife competition, the county demonstrations, county bbq cook off and placed 5th in the state cook off.
She has given a demontstration to our local Astronomy Club and was then invited to speak to an adult group of Toastmasters...
All of her test scores except math and again we are addressing that weakness are way above grade level.

My 11 year old is also doing very well because of homeschooling. All of her test scores show her way above grade level...She is a wonderful artist and dancer. She has won several 4-H performing arts contest, danced in the Nutcracker and other ballets.

We do standardized test each year to make sure our children are doing well. We would never risk our childrens education..homeschooling works for us..it just might not work for others.

I would like to paste here an excerpt from my oldest daughters web page:

Actual Questions I've been asked about being homeschooled.
A Little Q., A. and A.
The first A. is my sarcasm...bad habit
The second A. is ACTUAL ANSWERS.

Q. Do you do real school work?

A. Nah, Us homeschooler's ain't into all dat edumicatin' and ting's of dat nature..

A. Yep, 5 days a week, 180 days a year.

Q. Do you get a lunch break?

A. No, my mom locks me in the closet while she eats lunch.

A. Yes, usually my school is done right about lunch time and then I go eat.

Q. Do you have any friends?

A. Yeah, the dustbunny under my bed...his name is Fred......

A. Sure, but I am not an overly social person so I don't feel the need to have to socialize every single day.

Q. Do you get bathroom breaks?

A. No, they removed my bladder as a small child.

A. Of course....I just don't have to ask permission to go.

Q. Do you cheat since you have your answer keys at home?

A. Are you an idiot or something?

A. No, I don't believe in cheating...and if I did cheat I wouldn't be talking to you now because I'd be grounded for life.

[Luv2shop]

Re: Does homeschooling provide a quality education?

I have 3 jobs and 3 kids. My kids are in sports. My kids go to a Catholic school and they love it. I am very happy with their education. I give credit to all the parents who home school their kids. My youngest had colic and I couldn't even imagine trying to teach my kids at home.
Have a great Holiday

[Gailete]

Re: Does homeschooling provide a quality education?

I homeschooled my youngest son for 8th grade. He is autistic with very poor social skills. 7th grade can be a true horror for children like that. He took hours to decompress from school every day, crying that he didn't want to go back. When the school administration couldn't do anything to help him, I took him out. Having that breather year was a huge benefit to him. When he went back to regular school he was much calmer and much more ready to learn. Incidently he went on to graduate from HS with honors.

While we were homeschooling, he learned all about grocery shopping and went on to have his first job for 4 1/2 years as a bag boy at a grocery store. He also would always skip his history assignment and instead studied all about the election process that was happening then, memorized on his own all the presidents and vice-presidents, and all sorts of amazing tidbits. He also finally figured out pre-algebra and went on to become a whiz kid in his math skills. This week he graduates from Technical school in Medical Coding and Billing and a local doctor has agreed to let him have a two month internship.

Would I do it again? In a heartbeat! If I had young children at this point, I would homeschool them for sure. My hubby and I both have college degrees and are self educated in a variety of topics. I have also studied home-schooling a lot and think that some parents who carefully go into home schooling with their eyes wide open and are willing to learn from others can be successful. However, some parents don't know enough to even know that they don't know enough to homeschool and those children I feel sorry for.

All parents should be homeschooling their children in one way or another. Every time you read your child a book, or teach them a new color or help them solve a simple math puzzle, you are teaching. Parents are meant to be teachers.
Gail

[etswife2005]

Re: Does homeschooling provide a quality education?

I hope my post didn't imply I think other methods of education are wrong.. I think whatever works for ones own family is best....

[PrincessPerky]

Re: Does homeschooling provide a quality education?

Is you DDS website open to public? I would love to see it, I like the humor based on the sample .