Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Are there any home schoolers out there that aren't right wing leaning conservative Christians?
I'm guessing that this will get its share of "that has nothing to do with it" responses... but the only folks I know that home school are Christian Conservatives.
I imagine that there are other faiths that home school but I'm thinking that they are strict followers of their sect and still lean towards the right.
All you have to do is look at who sells all the homeschool cirrculum and where it is advertised. It is sold mostly by religious nutcase organizations and advertised on religious nutcase TV and radio stations.
put a little salt and pepper on that crow and it will go down easy
Greatday, thank you for a thoughtful reply. I'm sure it works for many of the adherents, but it worries the daylights out of me. People already pay taxes for schools, and we have EXCELLENT ones here in COLO SPGS, yet I see many people home schooling and can't figure out why so many are compelled to do so, other than the strong religious tones of many of our citizens. If our schools are falling short in some way, let's stand and fight to fix them, not withdrawal.
I see what you're saying, Mike, and speaking for myself, I appreciate your considerate response.
Some people are compelled to HS out of religious convictions, as others have mentioned. However, some people may be homeschooling simply because they can give their child a higher-quality education than the one offered at their child's school. Some might be homeschooling because their child is not a good "fit" with the school due to special needs -- autism, giftedness, learning disability, physical needs -- that make education a challenge. Some might be homeschooling because they dislike the specific curriculum the school district uses, such as those which use Everyday Math, a curriculum that has aroused strong disfavor among many who have used it.
I understand your argument about "let's stand and fight to fix them," but perhaps what you're not taking into account is that for many parents, homeschooling isn't a first step. For many, it's the last. Many folks who homeschool have tried very hard to advocate for their own and others' children but have met with lack of success despite effort after effort. Meanwhile, as a parent, you're painfully aware that time's a-wasting: the issues that your child is experiencing affect her or him right now and essentially can't wait for the school or the district to reconsider its policies.
I hope that's helped. If I can answer further questions, please let me know.
Home schooling has a proven track record, and some very famous people (Sandra Day O'Connor, for one) have been home schooled.
Sandra Day O'Connor attended a private school. She was not home-schooled. Nice try, though.
My opinion about homeschooling revolves around the kids I've known who were home-schooled. A large proportion of them are very smart academically and very awkward socially. I had a kid come to ask for a job recently where I work. We hire a couple of high school kids every summer. I talked to him for a few seconds and gave him an application to fill out. I told my coworker I'd bet him $5 that the kid was home-schooled as he was very awkward. Turns out he was.
The home school kids that do the best are the ones that are still in a large group of other home school kids - where a bunch of parents get together and allow for a lot of social interaction. The ones that actually study at their home every day turn out weird and socially inept.
I have no problem with home schooling IF and WHEN the parents doing the educating are qualified, intelligent and most of all open minded and will widen the child's horizons as well as allowing their social blossoming. I have seen home schooling work extrmely well but it can also be utterly disastrous.
Can you give a personal example of "disaterous"?
This is "French" for allowing them to be corrupted by anything that society may throw at them. Might as well just throw them into the public school and take your chances at the outcome? That isn't what a good parent does.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mooseketeer
Most parents I know are certainly not qualified to teach gnats never mind children.
What, in your opinion "qualifies' a parent to "teach"? An education in liberalism? Just asking.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mooseketeer
Education is the most precious gift we can bestow upon children so it is a serious issue which should be addressed in a logical and intelligent manner.
If that is true, why are public schools contolled by the powerful teachers union, which is 100% liberal, and likes nothing more than to "indoctirnate" children in one point of view?
Obviously, you don't believe what you are esposousing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mooseketeer
It must not be a flippant knee-jerk reaction from parents who simply object to their kids not being brain-washed the way they want them to be by the local education institutions.
Oh, I see. But it is okay for them to be "brainwashed" in liberalism, which is what the government schools do.
My kids have always scored many times above their public school counterparts on the standardized tests (high 90 percentile). I graduated from High School, went to art school for two years, and then went into the Navy where I studied electonics, a field in which I worked for many years after. My wife went to U.T. (did not finish). In your small mind, we are not "qualified". How is it that our kids far exceeded public school kids? Just a fluke, I suppose.
As to the poll, I don't care one way or the other. Schools can produce just as much bias as home-schooling. The one definite positive I see of normal schooling is the social interacting with others their age.
"Social interacting"? Every hear of Brownies, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H, and (yes Church groups! OMG!!!)
My daughters were in Girl Scouts (received awards) involved in 4-H (my youngest showed her English Springer Spaniel for years and has many ribbons, even going to State Fair) Church youth groups and Bible Quizzing (most of you probalby have no clue what that is, but it's a national competition) helped out at church with "Vacation Bible School" as well as Home School Group activities (field trips, etc)
Why do you think only "government school" kids have these benefits?
My oldest was president of her 4-H club at one time, till she had to leave because of "age" (LOL).
Most home schooled kids we knew were far better adjusted socially than "public" school kids, because they did more. They were involved in community, and church groups.
My daughter has a huge flag that she was sent by our representative in Congress based on something she did (BTW, he was a Democrat). She invited our local Republican Party chairman to speak at our 4-H club, and he did.
What, in your opinion "qualifies' a parent to "teach"? An education in liberalism? Just asking.
I'm assuming they mean do the parents know what they're talking about? Can the parents teach what the kids need to know to keep up w/the rest of the population up thru 12th grade. I know if I had kids there is no way I would be qualified to homeschool kids. I suppose you think math & english are "liberal" subjects? LOL.
It's interesting how discussing homeschooling turns into a post attacking public schools in six posts or less. The 6 degrees of separation is really true, apparently. Just joking there. But come on! Public schools are legally bound to educate EVERY student in this country; they cannot pick and choose who is to be educated and who is not. That's point number 1.
Point number 2 is that public schools have to accomodate all religions, all matters of physical, emotional, and mental disability. They have to accomodate all socio-economic demographics as well. They have to do it in such a way as to not p*ss anyone off.
Point number 3 is that your claims are grossly exaggerated. They are always the same from those who vehemently are against public schooling. Isn't it amazing how much time there is available for massive brainwashing in a 6 hour day with having 7-9 classes per day? And the teachers? They must stay awake all night coming up with personal agendas with which to brain-wash their students with. Not likely. And the "no one fails", thus NO grading is false. Your other assertions are false as well. I don't know where you get your information, but I'm willing to wager that it's from biased sources.
I think that you and others should actually step into a public school and help out and start becoming a solution instead of making things up and scaring people with lies. There are over-worked teachers that could use some positive encouragement and students that could use some extra help in learning.
Back to homeschooling, I think home-schooling works very well when it is done effectively (as others have already mentioned).
I have a sister who has taught in the public school her entire working life, as well as a brother-in-law who has taught college his entire life (Slippery Rock State).
I feel qualified to speak on both public and private education (my sister and brother-in-law are flaming liberals, but I love them anyway. Except for their political views, which I strongly disagree with, they are wonderful and very interesting people).
I should also add that they seem to think that we have done well with our daughters. They can speak to them, want to know how they are, what they are doing, and are always intersted in what they have to say. They are attentive, when my daughters speak, they do not "brush them off" as illiiterates (not by any stretch of the imagination) and are obviously proud of their accomplishments.
But then, my sister and brother-in-law, are unlike most liberals posting on C-D. They have a brain.
Last edited by nononsenseguy; 09-03-2009 at 06:00 PM..
Originally posted by nononsenseguy
If that is true, why are public schools contolled by the powerful teachers union, which is 100% liberal, and likes nothing more than to "indoctirnate" children in one point of view?
Obviously, you don't believe what you are esposousing.
Okay, I have to step in here. Do you know what I'm teaching on tomorrow? The rise of the Persian Empire, and a work by Maya Angelou. Now, what in the HELL does that have to do with liberal indoctrination???? Tell me Mr. Homeschool genius, since you're obviously such an expert on how public schools work.
Do you honestly think I'm rubbing my hands over my laptop every night thinking about how I can maliciously brainwash children to become godless socialists by teaching them about Persia? And Greece? By teaching them how to read and write well??? Really?! No union tells me what to teach! Hell I live in a non-union state!
I and many, many teachers entered the profession to give kids a decent education, and it's people like you who do nothing but bit--er--complain about "liberal" public schools, when you have no clue about them aside from what you might hear from rightwing fanatics. People like you put down hardworking teachers and the students they teach, most of whom you have never met. How nice.
I'm not a manipulator. I'm not a brainwasher, I'm an educator. Get it right!
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Just a fluke, I suppose.
Church groups! OMG!!!)
No union tells me what to teach! Hell I live in a non-union state!
