Help me overcome my prejudice against home schooling

[Anonymous]

my sister's sister-in-law from the northern VA area did this for her kids....when her oldest daughter switched to public school in middle school she was several grades behind. The SIL was a little kooky. The best thing that could have happened to that kid was transferrring to public school when she did. It takes a highly dedicated, self-motivated person to make it work. I prefer to leave it up to the professionals. I'll supplement at home, but I don't want the responsibility of doing that myself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"how do you feel confident that you know all the subject content plus the best teaching strategies without practical experience, ... ?)"

You don't really need to know all the "best teaching practices" because you are teaching one (or two, depending on how many children you are homeschooling). You aren't trying to manage a large classroom of varying abilities, you are interacting with one student. One you know better than anyone else. You know more than you think.

I am not an expert on all the "best teaching strategies" out there. But I am an expert on my own child. For example, she is visual spatial. I was well ahead of her teachers years ago in discovering this learning style and read everything on it I could get my hands on. In that regard, not only could I do a better job than her teachers, I also had the flexibility to custom tailor our homeschool and change and grow along with her needs.

J.

Let me clear up two misconceptions.

First, teaching (instructional) strategies, although definitely not separate from management strategies, serve a bigger purpose, as they help students to develop critical thinking skills in the affective and cognitive domains. One of the skills is listening critically. In a classroom setting, students have the opportunity to develop this skill fully b/c they are surrounded by peers with different perspectives, which helps them to develop a well rounded world view to some extent. Furthermore, your comment - "You know more than you think." - is a slap in the face to educators who have spent years studying brain theory and years practicing to perfect their teaching, which is both an art and a science.

You then mention that your child is visual spatial. If you only teach to her strength, you don't equip her with resources that allow her to partially develop other modalities. (Keep in mind that once she becomes part of the working world, she'll most likely have to collaborate with others who don't share her strengths.) We are not stuck to modality. I, for example, am a combination of linguistic/language and interpersonal. Insofar as doing a "better job than her teachers," please don't put yourself in an educator's category. You are NOT a teacher. Until you can motivate groups of underachievers or enrich academic lessons that push high achievers past their comfort zone, you are - at best - a tutor.

PP, your post is hugely presumptuous that only people with a teaching degree can be good teachers. I would guess that as an English major from a good university, I could do a better job teaching English, given the same texts as a HS teacher, as the many DC teachers with shaky credentials. Many teachers out there have little more than a "certificate" in teaching, a few classes, aside from their bachelor's degree.

There are as many bad teachers out there as good ones, as in any profession. Most of us have stories about the worst teachers we have had, even in excellent school systems. I am a computer programmer and many of the best people in my field - the ones that are actually inventing programming languages - shocker! don't have computer science degrees at all. They just had an interest they chose to pursue and are better at it than others with degrees.

Even if this person is only an average "teacher", how do you know the child would have a better one - more motivating or more intelligent - if at a school? There is no way of knowing that.

First of all, I didn't say that ALL teachers are wonderful. There are quacks in every field, as someone has to graduate at the bottom of the class.

I have three degrees - two that are in the field of education. I have 15 years of experience in the public school system. With that in mind, you wouldn't expect me to come to the defense of those in the teaching field? Most of my colleagues have more education than the average American. The majority have a master's degree, and quite a few have PhDs. So to hear from the general public that "anyone can teach" is a slap in the face to the majority of teachers who work hard FOR their students.

I could never - on my BEST day - walk into a law office and take the place of the WORST lawyer in the firm. So why shouldn't I expect the same respect from the general public with regard to teaching?

Unfortunately, because the public has such little regard for teachers, we're the bottom feeders who would never be compared to successful lawyers, world renowned architects, or brilliant surgeons. Yes, the profession has its own set of problems, and most new teachers leave within the first 5 years. But who can blame them considering how they're viewed through the public's eyes?

Furthermore, being resourceful enough to teach yourself new content - just as your colleagues who invented programming languages did - is NOT the same as imparting knowledge. Knowing something doesn't mean you have the skills, disposition, patience, and personality to teach it. So your analogy is weak.

[Anonymous]

PP, (NP here) I'm a teacher, myself, (with multiple degrees) and I appreciate your defense of the teaching profession. However, I do think that a great deal of a teacher's preparation and expertise go towards classroom management and figuring out how to teach children of all abilities in the same classrrom at the same time.

Most parents who are reasonably intelligent and perceptive, and is willing to put in the time to research and learn, should be able to teach their own child many topics, certainly up to about 6th grade, without the help of trained professionals. In fact, sometimes it is those trained professionals, using accepted and approved textbooks, who are quite frankly goofing up a child's education by using the latest educational "fad" instead of sound instructional principles.

I've seen some nutty, resource-intensive, time-wasting "methods" in my teaching years. I've been involved with the home-schooling community here in DC and in the US through discussion forums, and while I agree that there are weirdos and flakes in the homeschool community, there are also a lot of very dedictaed parent educators, who invest a lot of time in choosing the right methods and materials with which to instruct their child. They do have the flexibility to see what isn't working for their child, and what is working, and tailor their child's education individually.

There are also an amazing amount or resources out there, especially over the web, and the quality is improving tremendously.

You say that you could not just step into a law office and work as a lawyer -- no of course not. But you could actually do a lot of your own legal preparations yourself, and some people do just that. You can sell your own house, too, and many people have learned that by investing some time and effort they can do a better job than a real estate person, because they care so much about this particular house. You wouldn't do your own surgery, but plenty of people are finding that they can take ownership of their own medical problems and lifestyle and get better results in many cases than if they had consulted the "trained professional".

I have seen some absolutely fantastic teachers in my teaching years, but I have to say that they were few and far between. I think a child could go through elementary school getting 1 great teacher, 3 so-so teachers, and 2 duds. Unfortunately getting rid of the duds and motivating the so-sos to improve is very hard for a parent to do. Homeschooling when you have an excellent teacher would be a little silly, but homeschooling if your option is the dud would make perfect sense.

[Anonymous]

My daughter recently graduated from Bryn Mawr College and one of the girls that graduated Summa Cum Laude was home schooled.She is starting her masters at UC Berkeley.I had my doubts about home schooloing but it changed.It all depends how qualified and devoted are the parents.

[Anonymous]

Young children learn best in an environment where they feel safe enough to be curious AND ask questions. How often do you see that in a classroom where the teacher hardly knows your child, or even you, for that matter?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Young children learn best in an environment where they feel safe enough to be curious AND ask questions. How often do you see that in a classroom where the teacher hardly knows your child, or even you, for that matter?

It's not necessary to "befriend" (for lack of a better word) the parent. Most systems send out regular progress reports, contact parents through automated calling systems, and often have elaborate web-based systems that teachers use to facilitate instruction. Furthermore, when a problem rears its ugly head, teachers make personal phone calls and often use the translation system to communicate effectively with parents for whom English is not their first language. Unless I have an issue with you as a parent, I don't feel the need to get to know you at a personal level - at least not at the upper grades. Now, when I have a spare moment, I often leave messages that highlight something positive about a student. It's comes under the heading of building relationships.

On the flip side, I take a personal interest in each of my students (all 120+ of them) by building relationships, assessing learning styles, and monitoring learning benchmarks as a proactive measure. To say that children are fearful of being curious and of asking questions is a generalization. Engaging lessons spark curiosity, and inspirational teachers create safe and welcoming learning environments.

I realize I'm posting to a group of parents who have little faith in the public system. Fine - think what you will. But please don't generalize. In my many years of teaching, the majority of teachers with whom I've worked have been successful with students, hard working, dedicated and knowledgeable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the only real benefit of public schools is the social aspect. But I am really upset that my kids will be exposed to tons of chemicals in public schools -- air fresheners, anti-bacterial soaps and wipes, moldy air, harsh cleaners etc. I would seriously consider home schooling with a home schooling network if I felt even the tiniest bit more concerned about this issue than I am.

Really?! THIS is what you're worried about? Geez, this whole "chemical" phobia thing is so over-blown...

[Anonymous]

Why are you asking this question to a bunch of people who probably have the same biases that you do? Doesn't seem like a good way to get the information you seek.

And yes, I do see the few homeschool stories sprinkled in here.

On another note, when people bring up that they knew one homeschool family that was odd, or their child was behind, I laugh. Is that supposed to make a point? You know one or two out of all the people who homeschool. How many public and private school families are odd? How many students in public or private schools are behind? But I guess that's different right?

And for you high and mighty teacher 21:51, yes teachers are wonderful and I believe most people respect them but get over yourself a little bit as parents are perfectly capable of teaching their children. They do it every day- even those who don't homeschool. People seemed to learn before their were school systems and society didn't collapse so blah blah blah to your three degrees. I'm not impressed but I appreciate your passion.

I am so sick of this ideal that formal education trumps self education and that you can't possibly learn anything unless a professor or teacher taught you. I can read the same books you do but because you read them in school and I read them at home I don't know anything? Whatever.

[Anonymous]

I do have to laugh at the fact some posters think parents can't understand the concepts their expecting their grade school children to know next month.

[Anonymous]

To my PP - their = they're. Now that's just ironic isn't it?

[Anonymous]

Is every homeschool situation perfect? Heck no. Lots of stereotypes though. Same thing for public/private schooling. But come on people - many people using homeschool curriculum have done "their homework" and utilized the vast amount of resources out there.

I've been in the for-profit education business in the past. Trust me - I've seen it all. And no, just because you have a degree + classroom management skills does not mean you know my kid better than me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are you asking this question to a bunch of people who probably have the same biases that you do? Doesn't seem like a good way to get the information you seek.

And yes, I do see the few homeschool stories sprinkled in here.

On another note, when people bring up that they knew one homeschool family that was odd, or their child was behind, I laugh. Is that supposed to make a point? You know one or two out of all the people who homeschool. How many public and private school families are odd? How many students in public or private schools are behind? But I guess that's different right?

And for you high and mighty teacher 21:51, yes teachers are wonderful and I believe most people respect them but get over yourself a little bit as parents are perfectly capable of teaching their children. They do it every day- even those who don't homeschool. People seemed to learn before their were school systems and society didn't collapse so blah blah blah to your three degrees. I'm not impressed but I appreciate your passion.

I am so sick of this ideal that formal education trumps self education and that you can't possibly learn anything unless a professor or teacher taught you. I can read the same books you do but because you read them in school and I read them at home I don't know anything? Whatever.

But that's exactly the point PP is making. Why do we want to go back to the times before America had school system?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To my PP - their = they're. Now that's just ironic isn't it?

You should see the word problems my niece's teacher gives out for homework! They are quite painful to read. The kids are having a terrible time trying to do the math because they cannot make heads nor tails of the problem.

I know several people who homeschool. Some do it for religious reasons, but at least one of them has a child that just would not do well in a large classroom setting. Even for elementary age children, they have organized classes that homeschoolers can attend one to two days a week. When you get into middle and high school, they often go to a classroom for science classes (at a homeschool "school").

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are you asking this question to a bunch of people who probably have the same biases that you do? Doesn't seem like a good way to get the information you seek.

And yes, I do see the few homeschool stories sprinkled in here.

On another note, when people bring up that they knew one homeschool family that was odd, or their child was behind, I laugh. Is that supposed to make a point? You know one or two out of all the people who homeschool. How many public and private school families are odd? How many students in public or private schools are behind? But I guess that's different right?

And for you high and mighty teacher 21:51, yes teachers are wonderful and I believe most people respect them but get over yourself a little bit as parents are perfectly capable of teaching their children. They do it every day- even those who don't homeschool. People seemed to learn before their were school systems and society didn't collapse so blah blah blah to your three degrees. I'm not impressed but I appreciate your passion.

I am so sick of this ideal that formal education trumps self education and that you can't possibly learn anything unless a professor or teacher taught you. I can read the same books you do but because you read them in school and I read them at home I don't know anything? Whatever.

But that's exactly the point PP is making. Why do we want to go back to the times before America had school system?

No one is advocating that. What is the world are you talking about?

Bottom line, is that our public school system is mediocre at the very best. All one has to do is look to test scores and how we miserably stack up to the rest of the world. It is no wonder why parents consider homeschool. I know there are some excellent teachers, but really, they are the exception not the rule. For goodness sake, I see moms on here thinking abouut a career in teaching so they can "get the summers off" or "be home when their kids get home". THis honsetly is a lazy reason to become a teacher.

[Anonymous]

Stanford University *LOVES* homeschoolers.

"Stanford has found that homeschoolers bring a mix of unusual experiences, special motivation and intellectual independence that makes them a good bet to flourish on the Farm....So why is the University interested? Admission officers sum it up in two words: intellectual vitality.

It's hard to define, but they swear they know it when they see it. It's the spark, the passion, that sets the truly exceptional student--the one driven to pursue independent research and explore difficult concepts from a very early age--apart from your typical bright kid. Stanford wants students who have it."

http://www.stanfordalumni.org/news/magazine/2000/novdec/articles/homeschooling.html