Posted on 03/30/2002 3:56:22 AM PST by Caipirabob
What do you mean by distance learning? I think you may have misunderstood too what I meant by homeschoolers going to community college for advanced subjects. They would actually attend a class like any other college student and with college students, not learn the subject online if that is what you are getting at?
Do you know what type of co-op I mentioned? Sure some parents band together in a MUCH MORE traditional school situation to HIRE a teacher to teach a subject, but many more actually utilize another homoschooling parent to teach a subject they are strong in, still both options give the parents complete control since they do the hiring(and firing if need be), unlike a public school situation.
They have similarities, but surely you can not begin to say that a setting made by parents in the best interest of thier kids is somehow similar to the institutional setting made by a bunch of beauracrats in thier own best interests.
thank you for conceeding though that not only have you not researched this, but that you also are biased;-) I think you would be surprised at how resourceful homeschoolers are. Some parents even learn subjects themselves to teach and a growing number of schools are opening up things like varsity sports programs and are willing to make exceptions when faced with turning away a talented player that could benefit thier team. BTW, if you think private sports are not as good as public. I'd challenge you to look at cheerleading competitions and gymnastics competitions. Many times these are dominated by local gyms and private facilities. Again, if my child shows a talent, we will deal with thatwhen the time comes. No need to put them in ps in K just in case they are a star athlete or might need to use the math lab. I have faith that our schools will change for the better by then and thier facilities will be more accessible by the time my two are in high school anyway.
Yes, this is my philosophy as well. And if this is what xzins was talking about, than I agree with him. I just think that the institutions are more effective when you can pick and choose your courses than adhering to the one size fits all. I don't think many homeschoolers, save for some very hermit types, think it's wise to shelter thier children completely from community interaction and the benefits of some of the services offered by that community and it's "instituations". Heck, marriage is an institution and I would like my children to participate in that;-) I think xzins and I both may have misunderstood each other since I acknowledge I did not put together the textbook on my desk, but I am able to utilize it, imo, in a more useful way than the ps parent who can not control what is taught from it and when or even if it is used.
A very profoundly true statement. Well said!
At a 20% per annum growth rate, that number doubles every four years and hits the magic 5 million mark in five years. That is over 10% of the school-age population in the US. That growth rate has held steady for over a decade.
They'd probably have to start dumbing down the words for the government-schoolers.
I never thought that my act of so-called 'defiance' would actually have a positive effect on anyone but my own kids. Thanks.
Most homeschooled kids have parents just like me. I know where I am weak and I get extra help for those subjects. For science, I have found an retired NASA scientist who loves teaching homeschooled kids. For upper level math, I am using a video program and my son is regularly scoring between 89 and 95 on his algebra tests. I can't teach violin, so I get a private teacher, who's own daughter is now studying at Julliard. For art, I have found an artist who teaches out of her home who on the side sells her artwork for upwards of $25,000 per piece.
As a homeschooler, I have many more options for my children. I can zero in on my children's interests without any interference. I don't have to wait for some school official to take note of my child. I don't have to work with ANY middlemen.
You got that right, sister. It cost me over $50,000 to repair the profoundly inadequate job they did with my oldest son on reading. My only other option was to put my son on the waiting list for the local elementary school remedial reading program which should really be called, 'the-we-really-mucked-up-so-we-have-this-free-patch-job-which-will-not-make-your-child-the-true-reader-he-could've-been', just so he could be another year behind in reading.
What surprised me was the easy words that knocked out
most of the contestants or how puzzled they sounded
on some of the words they got - like they had never
read the words before. If these are the best of the
local schools, then the level of spelling has dropped
from when I was the same age in the late '60s.
I don't expect my son will ever be a great speller
based on his nature but it is nice to take him to
things that show what is potential. The best thing
about home schooling my son is that it may have
something to do with him still giggling in his sleep.
And just think of the FTE (full-time-equivalent), a part of the ratio that is used to determine the amount of federal $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ that those local schools are entitled to!!
Lower FTE = Lower $$$$$$$$ amount!
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, they often get to inspect the home, control of the curriculum, make sure the PC requirements are met... publicly subsidized home education is a MAJOR camel's nose. HSLDA is warning parents not to fall for this trap, but the alarm is falling on deaf ears as parents fall for the siren song of public money and use of public facilities.
It was the same bait when the public schools started.
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