Chandler's Mom - 2017-04-16 1:40 PM I would think it would be hard to say EVERY parent pays attention to EVERYTHING going on with their child. Chandler went to a private Christian school and I helped with his homework almost every night. I stayed on top of his grades and his schooling and his activities---but I know I didn't know EVERYTHING. And yes, I've personally known homeschool families that weren't on top of the game when it came to teaching or learning. . . . I considered homeschool with Chandler, but I KNEW neither he nor I were disciplined enough

TyE - 2017-04-16 1:59 PM

Maybe I need to put a  after my comment about "every parent knowing everything" for better understanding of my motive.  It was a tongue in cheek comment.   I personally do not like vague references e.g.: the word " Many" about Homeschoolers just like Public School teachers don't like them about Public School teachers.  Do you know any public school or private school parents that are  not on top of their game as well? 

RocketPilot - 2017-04-17 12:19 PM

I think home schooling is so often done for the wrong reason. i.e. more time to rodeo or any other sport or just the convenience. We have grandkids that are home schooled and some that go to public school.  Having worked for a large school district for many years as support staff, if people have complaints about the school system then you need to get involved.  If you are thinking about home schooling your child, then maybe you should get involved at your local school.  Volunteer. If you don't have the time to volunteer then you don't have time to home school your child.  Find out what is going on in the school.  Get to know the teachers and staff.  I believe most are doing a good job.  You don't become a teacher to get rich or because it is easy.

RocketPilot - 2017-04-17 12:19 PM I think home schooling is so often done for the wrong reason. i.e. more time to rodeo or any other sport or just the convenience. We have grandkids that are home schooled and some that go to public school.  Having worked for a large school district for many years as support staff, if people have complaints about the school system then you need to get involved.  If you are thinking about home schooling your child, then maybe you should get involved at your local school.  Volunteer. If you don't have the time to volunteer then you don't have time to home school your child.  Find out what is going on in the school.  Get to know the teachers and staff.  I believe most are doing a good job.  You don't become a teacher to get rich or because it is easy.

Three 4 Luck - 2017-04-17 4:18 PM Volunteering doesn't fix a system that doesn't provide the support that individual kids need.  Many public schools are too busy overburdening teachers with large classes and testing, as well as trying to protect their reputation by denying that problems exist and bullying parents who advocate  for their children.  



When a school district refuses to acknowledge multiple dyslexia diagnosis because they don't want to have to provide a reading program for those kids, something is bad wrong.  When a school district turns parents in to the DA for removing their 1st grader 30 minutes early twice a week for specialized private therapy his DOCTOR and THERAPISTS say he needs because he has profound childhood apraxia of speech, something is bad wrong.  When a school stalks a parent's FB page and confronts her with evidence of her "badmouthing" (ie venting) at a meeting to amend her special needs child's IEP, and then refuses out of hand to consider the needed changes, we have a bad problem.  When a kindergarten teacher has to suspend reading groups for 4 out of every 9 weeks for district mandated testing, we have a bad problem.  



Can you blame a parent for being done?

Three 4 Luck - 2017-04-17 10:00 PM

 Rocket, this was one of the wealthier districts in the state. If the small poor ones can provide dyslexia support, then surely to God a larger wealthy one can. The freakin system is broken, it's become a competition for funding via test scores and forgot about the children. Not the teachers' fault, it's the administrators and the system they are working in. As for not being qualified, or lacking real life or challenging experiences that Vickie mentioned, that's pretty funny. These kids aren't isolated, they have more social time than mine do who go to school. There is SO MUCH support for homeschoolers these days from enrichment and social groups, to specialized instruction to organized field trips. That child who was told at the age of 3 that he would never speak has worked his butt off to learn to talk a blue streak at age 10 (speaking will always be difficult for him, apraxia is a motor planning issue, he has to work for every word). He was told reading would be difficult (apraxia makes sounding out words hard, plus the dyslexia on top of that), but with hard work and determination and specialized instruction, he not only reads well, he loves to do it. He has to deal with bullying A***H****s everywhere he goes and does so with a grace that is beyond his years. (Please don't judge someone as unintelligent just because they don't speak well or clearly) Don't tell me he doesn't know adversity and defeat. This is my nephew, btw, and if my sister hadn't fought for that child, quit her job, and taken control of his education, he would not be where he is now. She didn't do it alone, she's had a team of therapists and specialists working with him and advising her, she's taken training classes, and prayed and worked and learned and pulled her hair out at times to get him the education he deserves.

Vickie - 2017-04-17 7:37 PM Have you home schooler parents stopped to ask why a school system doesn't want to admit to a diagnosis requiring alot of additional one on one help for your child?  Could it be because they are so underfunded that they just can't afford to do what is right?  Have you asked why they are so underfunded?

From personal experience the biggest handicap home school students face as adults is social skills.  They often don't have the social skills and coping skills need to face the world outside their isolated upbringing.  They don't know how to deal with defeat, hardship and just the plain cruel world.  I am sure you are happy they get to skip that in their youth, but it is still out there.  Just make sure you are not emotionally crippling them for life by keeping them in your ideal bubble.
 

Three 4 Luck - 2017-04-17 10:00 PM  Rocket, this was one of the wealthier districts in the state. If the small poor ones can provide dyslexia support, then surely to God a larger wealthy one can. The freakin system is broken, it's become a competition for funding via test scores and forgot about the children. Not the teachers' fault, it's the administrators and the system they are working in. As for not being qualified, or lacking real life or challenging experiences that Vickie mentioned, that's pretty funny. These kids aren't isolated, they have more social time than mine do who go to school. There is SO MUCH support for homeschoolers these days from enrichment and social groups, to specialized instruction to organized field trips. That child who was told at the age of 3 that he would never speak has worked his butt off to learn to talk a blue streak at age 10 (speaking will always be difficult for him, apraxia is a motor planning issue, he has to work for every word). He was told reading would be difficult (apraxia makes sounding out words hard, plus the dyslexia on top of that), but with hard work and determination and specialized instruction, he not only reads well, he loves to do it. He has to deal with bullying A***H****s everywhere he goes and does so with a grace that is beyond his years. (Please don't judge someone as unintelligent just because they don't speak well or clearly) Don't tell me he doesn't know adversity and defeat. This is my nephew, btw, and if my sister hadn't fought for that child, quit her job, and taken control of his education, he would not be where he is now. She didn't do it alone, she's had a team of therapists and specialists working with him and advising her, she's taken training classes, and prayed and worked and learned and pulled her hair out at times to get him the education he deserves.

streakysox - 2017-04-13 6:30 AM

Since I am a public school teacher, I am in favor of public schools. There are definitely advantages to public schools besides socializing. First of all teachers have to be certified in their subject area. Difficult courses like Chemistry and Physics or Algebra are extremely hard without some explanation. I know that colleges require Algebra and most require some form of Chemistry. It helps to be prepared since college classes cost money. Public schools offer many things that you cannot get through home schooling such as fine arts to mention one. Sports is another and while fine arts and sports are two of the fartherest things from what I teach, they are important. Most places that you work now require you to be a part of a team, even teaching. Home schooling is not free. Many times parents do not supervise that work is getting done. Texas colleges require a students take a test and if they do not pass they have to take remedial classes that are expensive and do not count for anything. Public schools do prepare you for that. (NOT ACT OR SAT)


I do know that in many states (Texas is one) students are required to attend a certain number of days or they lose credit for the entire semester. Rodeoing counts as absences. Ashleylynn on here attended a Christian school so could she could rodeo. I have known her since she was a little fart. She can give you the best input on that route.

1DSoon - 2017-04-18 11:47 AM it makes me chuckle to see folks claiming that Schools are underfunded.



That's the least of their worries.



Public Learning is a big business.  

Vickie - 2017-04-17 7:37 PM

Have you home schooler parents stopped to ask why a school system doesn't want to admit to a diagnosis requiring alot of additional one on one help for your child?  Could it be because they are so underfunded that they just can't afford to do what is right?  Have you asked why they are so underfunded?

From personal experience the biggest handicap home school students face as adults is social skills.  They often don't have the social skills and coping skills need to face the world outside their isolated upbringing.  They don't know how to deal with defeat, hardship and just the plain cruel world.  I am sure you are happy they get to skip that in their youth, but it is still out there.  Just make sure you are not emotionally crippling them for life by keeping them in your ideal bubble.