Home Education vs. Public Education

Lewrockwell.com ^ | August 2, 2002 | Jacki LeClair

[Mr. Mulliner]

This might be a good place to grouse about my latest dealings with public education, something I've not had to deal with for a long time. After looking at my job prospects during the past month since I relocated my family from Asia, I decided that I would set aside my negative attitude towards public education and apply for a teaching job in the field of ESL (English as a Second Language). There are supposedly a fast-growing number of jobs in this field around here and since I have an MA in linguistics, several years experience teaching English, was an editor for a professional ESL journal, and developed and taught a training course for people wanting to learn how to teach ESL, I thought I had a pretty open door.

WHAM! That was what it sounded like yesterday when a big door was slammed in my face. I had talked to an administrator at a nearby school district who confirmed that she was trying to fill a position for an ESL job. She admitted she was not at all satisfied with the one applicant she had and was immediately impressed with my experience. But soon after I sent her my resume, she responded that her supervisor (probably the superintendent) would not give her permission to even consider me for the job. Regulations dictate that if one person with a teaching license applies for the job, they cannot hire someone who does not have a license no matter how much experience they have.

In the past couple of weeks, I've heard from several people who complain about the stupid hiring rules the public schools operate on. They set up barriers to keep out the best and brightest and thereby make themselves all feel especially qualified because they alone can get these high-paying jobs.

My attitude was already pretty low towards the whole system after yesterday's rejection, but when my daughter came home from her first day in public school in her life yesterday (she's 14 years old, homeschooled since age 5) and said that she's supposed to sell magazine subscriptions to raise money for the school -- not for any particular function such as a band trip, but just to go into the school coffers -- I blasted the whole system and almost got sent out of the house for my tirade.

Anyone else have similar experiences with our public schools?

[jimkress]

Good post.

[goodieD]

Excellent article. I was so impressed by my husband's intelligence (gained via homeschooling) that I decided to homeschool my eldest daughter when i began having trouble with the public school system. I'm glad I did, and I would recommend homeschooling (or private school carefully chosen) to any parent. We need to get our kids out of these socialist indoctrination factories!!!

[demnomo]

Yes, I remember the numerous fund raisers and begging for simple school supplies like pencils, kleenex and notebook paper from school officials. Selling magazine subscriptions, over-priced wrapping paper and thousands of candy bars were a constant when my son attended both private and public schools. Kids (and parents) who didn't pitch-in were sent home notes by the under-paid teachers and over-paid administrators stating that so-and-so was not behaving with proper "school spirit." Though time-consuming (on top of LOADS of busy-work, er, homework) and frustrating, fund raisers were not the only reason that I finally pulled my son out of public school and began to homeschool him. (My list is long. I have already posted my reasons on many homeschool-related threads!)

My question to you is: After years of homeschooling, why has your daughter started attending a public school at the age of fourteen? Even though homeschooling has been a smashing success in my household, I am a realist and know that homeschooling is not for every child or parent. Were things not working out? Not being judgemental. Just curious.

[Skwidd]

I used to think home-schooling was kind of odd, but you can't argue with the results. It's another proof of the old adage, "If you want something done right, do it yourself."

[Mr. Mulliner]

The main reason for the change is that we've moved from Asia to America. I think they were doing well with homeschooling, but my wife has been offered a good job there at the same school where my daughters attend. I have to admit that it's a pretty good school and my sister, who has worked there for years, attests to that. We're at least giving them a chance and so far we have pretty good expectations.

I think my tirade against the fund-rasing scheme is fueled by the fact that earlier in the day I was not even allowed consideration for a teaching job that I am supremely qualified for simply because I'm not licensed. I am willing to get provisional licensing, but can't even apply for an interim license without being hired by a school district. And that probably won't happen unless there are literally no other applicants. I'm tired of hearing about schools being short of money when they won't be open about their hiring policies.

[Mr. Mulliner]

ping

[Mr. Mulliner]

Here's another editorial, also from LewRockwell.com, that discusses the problem of lack of healthy incentives in public education.

Incentives and Motivation

[demnomo]

I'm tired of hearing about schools being short of money when they won't be open about their hiring policies.

I agree. I also am tired of the rising percentage of over-paid administrators who mostly push paper, (no wonder they generate so much red-tape!) eat up a lot of school funds and spend their time (when not dining out at fancy restaurants or attending yet another "Education Conference" at a resort location on the taxpayer's dime) devising insipid, unrealistic, politically correct rules and regulations that restrict rather than alleviate the precious money, time and energy that sincere teachers and students alike spend on their education. Maybe it's not like that in all public school systems, but it sure was (and still is) the case in my area. (I live in Northern California.)

I have friends who live in NC who rave about how good their public schools are. FReeper Mombonn was very satified with her children's schools in Michigan.

Of course, there are always acceptions to the rule of whether or not a parent is happy with a private or public school system. Sadly, I don't think that satisfaction with many schools is the norm...at least in today's world. Before the PC thought police and socialist indoctrinators from the Sixties came onto the scene, public schools were acceptable to most families. Hey, I went to public schools. ;) I'm happy to hear that you are satisfied with your school situation. Good luck to you and your family.

[2Jedismom]

Ping.

[TxBec]

bump

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Four of our grandkids are being homeschooled. Their intelligence is simply amazing. They are way ahead of their counterparts and cousins. WAY AHEAD!!

From what we've seen, the HOMESCHOOLED children also seem emotionally stable and happy.

I would vote for homeschooling any day! And thats over our kids who are in Private schools and Charters. Most definetely over PUBLIC schools. I also really like the competition of a voucher system, that would force competitiveness in educating our kids. If you aren't good, parents can remove their child and shop elsewhere. PERIOD.

[don-o]

I used to think home-schooling was kind of odd, but you can't argue with the results. It's another proof of the old adage, "If you want something done right, do it yourself."

Nice post. Well, I have been looking for a place to crow. We got Ben's first (5th grade) state mandated test results back on Thursday. He took the tests during a week in May, and evey day, he came in and said, "It was easy."

97th percentile, nationally normed.

And, also he is a good kid, kind to his little brother and blind grandfather who he walks to the senior center every day, server in church, takes piano, plays sports, hustles odd jobs, keeps his chores mostly done, treats his elders and peers with respect....

Shameless brag mode off - and the credit goes to Mrs don-o who truly lays down her life for our sons.

I got some more good news recently. My baby sister is finished with the public schools, even in a small town in eastern North Carolina. She is quitting her career (legal secretary in a big city law firm) and bringing her two home.

Yahoo!!!!

[Free the USA]

Index Bump

[Skwidd]

Shameless brag mode off - and the credit goes to Mrs don-o who truly lays down her life for our sons.

It ain't braggin' if you can do it. I'm sure that your devotion will pay off in the future.

[duckbutt]

SY - -
A story in a similar vein - - my daughter's best friend got her degree in education and was looking forward to teaching. She went on a job interview (she was going to do an internship before going full time) and the folks interviewing her (I think there were three in the room), didn't ask her about her teaching credentials or what she hoped to accomplish.....nope, their first question to her was to ask about her feelings about the abortion issue. She is pro-life and said so. Needless to say, they didn't have a place on the facilty for her.

She's now working as an account manager for a large insurance firm - - and, she feels, she's happier than she would be swimming upstream in the filth that is now the public school system.

[Artist]

Check out the story in #18.

Do you have any idea if someone in that situation could sue for discrimination?

[Artist]

Great article. Thanks for the ping!