I'm hoping this situation makes people view homeschooling in a better light

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Homeschool is one of the best options for 2e kids especially in middle school. By high school they can take dual enrollment classes at community colleges.

I have a 2e and this is why I homeschool and I gave up a successful career to do so. This was not part of my life plan but we tried public and specialized private school and they all failed to meet my child’s needs. Regular school just can’t provide the level of support the way homeschooling can and I can provide accommodations without having to fight during dreadful IEP meetings etc.

+1

Is there a local group for 2e homeschoolers, or IEP refugees generally? If not, there should be. There are a lot of parents who have pulled kids out due to IEP related issues, services not being provided, seclusion/restraint etc already. No doubt that number will increase.

[Anonymous]

NP here. It does! I actually posted in this forum something to this effect early on. You guys are amazing and the benefits seem clearer to me than ever. Still team public school for me, but my hat is off to you guys for sure, especially because of all this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Homeschool is one of the best options for 2e kids especially in middle school. By high school they can take dual enrollment classes at community colleges.

I have a 2e and this is why I homeschool and I gave up a successful career to do so. This was not part of my life plan but we tried public and specialized private school and they all failed to meet my child’s needs. Regular school just can’t provide the level of support the way homeschooling can and I can provide accommodations without having to fight during dreadful IEP meetings etc.

+1

Is there a local group for 2e homeschoolers, or IEP refugees generally? If not, there should be. There are a lot of parents who have pulled kids out due to IEP related issues, services not being provided, seclusion/restraint etc already. No doubt that number will increase.

There are a couple of FB groups- look for SEPTA etc. They could probably help you find a group. I love the term IEP refugees.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ummm ... it’s the exact opposite.

+1 Most parents are realizing that it's very, very difficult if not impossible to teach your kids everything they would learn in a school environment from real teachers at your house. I used to think that with enough effort (lucky) homeschooled kids could get all of the academics done, but would still miss out on socialization. Now I realize the academics are probably not getting done either.

I say lucky because I personally know several homeschool moms who brag every month or so about how all 4-5 of their kids got "All As Again!!" in grammatically nonsensical FB posts, so I don't trust that those kids have a shot in hell in the first place. But with an educated, dedicated parent, and fewer kids to teach, it seemed possible.

I’m sorry you’re friends with uneducated people on FB. I’m also sorry that you fail to realize that homeschool parents put a great deal of time and research into providing the best curricula for their children to succeed academically. When you are forced to make difficult decisions because of a pandemic is not the same as making a well thought-out rational decision, especially when it comes to educating you child(ren).

I sincerely hope schools open again and people who have zero respect for homeschooling can go back to them and stop referring to what they’re doing now, during a pandemic, as resembling anything close to what your typical homeschooling family does. It’s beyond irritating to see them butt their way into homeschooling spaces and declare it’s so hard for them, so beyond their education, patience, finances, and skill, obviously nobody’s kids are learning at home. Or the b.s. socialization argument (my kid misses his co-ops, sports, clubs, and the hours of time he had to play at the park with friends, and the amazing traveling we did before the world shut down).

And for the poster with the ridiculous FB friends posting “all A’s”: they are joking, you’re exaggerating, or your friends are idiots. I’ve yet to meet a homeschooler who gave a damn about grades in the sense of bragging on FB to a general audience who doesn’t “get” homeschooling. They keep records, do assessments, and all they must to ensure progress/mastery is taking place (and to satisfy any legal requirements and for transcript purposes for older children), but they generally don’t do goofy school report card sh*t for likes.

As for homeschooling families being freaks, *shrug*, oh f*kcing well. If someone is so easily cowed by outdated stereotypes that some ignorant poster keeps them from feeling confident about what’s best for their kids, that’s on them. All I know is I am apart of the growing number of AA, secular homeschoolers. I have the abundant means (The real problem with people and their nastiness — just admit you don’t want to do it, sure, but also probably CAN’T) to do this for my kid and will enjoy it while it’s the best decision for him and our lifestyle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ummm ... it’s the exact opposite.

+1 Most parents are realizing that it's very, very difficult if not impossible to teach your kids everything they would learn in a school environment from real teachers at your house. I used to think that with enough effort (lucky) homeschooled kids could get all of the academics done, but would still miss out on socialization. Now I realize the academics are probably not getting done either.

I say lucky because I personally know several homeschool moms who brag every month or so about how all 4-5 of their kids got "All As Again!!" in grammatically nonsensical FB posts, so I don't trust that those kids have a shot in hell in the first place. But with an educated, dedicated parent, and fewer kids to teach, it seemed possible.

I’m sorry you’re friends with uneducated people on FB. I’m also sorry that you fail to realize that homeschool parents put a great deal of time and research into providing the best curricula for their children to succeed academically. When you are forced to make difficult decisions because of a pandemic is not the same as making a well thought-out rational decision, especially when it comes to educating you child(ren).

I sincerely hope schools open again and people who have zero respect for homeschooling can go back to them and stop referring to what they’re doing now, during a pandemic, as resembling anything close to what your typical homeschooling family does. It’s beyond irritating to see them butt their way into homeschooling spaces and declare it’s so hard for them, so beyond their education, patience, finances, and skill, obviously nobody’s kids are learning at home. Or the b.s. socialization argument (my kid misses his co-ops, sports, clubs, and the hours of time he had to play at the park with friends, and the amazing traveling we did before the world shut down).

And for the poster with the ridiculous FB friends posting “all A’s”: they are joking, you’re exaggerating, or your friends are idiots. I’ve yet to meet a homeschooler who gave a damn about grades in the sense of bragging on FB to a general audience who doesn’t “get” homeschooling. They keep records, do assessments, and all they must to ensure progress/mastery is taking place (and to satisfy any legal requirements and for transcript purposes for older children), but they generally don’t do goofy school report card sh*t for likes.

As for homeschooling families being freaks, *shrug*, oh f*kcing well. If someone is so easily cowed by outdated stereotypes that some ignorant poster keeps them from feeling confident about what’s best for their kids, that’s on them. All I know is I am apart of the growing number of AA, secular homeschoolers. I have the abundant means (The real problem with people and their nastiness — just admit you don’t want to do it, sure, but also probably CAN’T) to do this for my kid and will enjoy it while it’s the best decision for him and our lifestyle.

X 1000000

[Anonymous]

We are new to homeschooling this year. Though, tbh, we are using a tutorial service where our child goes to in person instruction 2 days a week with other kids. They write all the curriculum and I basically just reinforce it all at home on the “off” days. COVID definitely changed my view on homeschooling. Honestly, I am so excited about homeschooling this year. I learned that there are SO many different ways to homeschool that don’t just involve a mom teaching their kid from a book. I absolutely loved the fact that I could hand pick my daughters music teacher and art teacher. For example, I found an amazing teacher who does singing lessons. This qualifies for my daughters music requirement for the state we live in. My daughters math “tutor” is a wonderful person and is really knowledgeable on teaching methods. Overall, homeschooling provides so much flexibility and we have no issues with socialization. I regret my ignorance of what I thought homeschool to be and really respect those who have been doing it for years.

[Anonymous]

I always assume homeschoolers are very religious, which I totally can’t relate to. I would consider virtual school if my kid was being bullied or wasn’t being served by their school. I still think families that default to homeschool are very strange. School is the placer where kids develop into their own person and have their own identity. It’s about so much more than learning.

[Anonymous]

I think there are very legitimate reasons for homeschooling. And I have no doubt that, despite the lack of professional teaching qualifications, the kids can get a good education academically given the numbers.

But to be honest, I still have the impression that there are a disproportionate number of people who home school who really shouldn't be in the business of teaching their kids, and who are doing their children a serious disservice socially and emotionally.

[Anonymous]

My opinion on homeschooling hasn’t changed. I’ve seen too many people who are barely literate homeschool their kids because of religious reasons. Also, too many people with weird beliefs/conspiracy theories homeschool. However there are some individuals who are doing it well...kudos to them. I think all these people who are jumping into homeschooling because of the pandemic will actual lead to more regulation so those families who planned to homeschool their kids all along will actually be negatively affected.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It isn't important what the general public thinks about homeschoolers. Their opinions have absolutely no impact or influence on how homeschoolers educate their children. A few of the negative comments on this thread betray the ignorance of the general public. They have no clue what it is homeschoolers do nor how we do it. One poster, in particular, would benefit from a course on critical thinking.

Unfortunately, you are wrong. It's incredibly important what the general public thinks because they are the ones who vote for the people who make the rules and regulations. There are very few regulations in my state. I love being able to homeschool my SN kid in a way that is most beneficial to him, and I do it quite well (I'm a child psychologist). But without a doubt there are some kids who need to be protected, and with increased numbers of homeschoolers I predict some policy changes will be proposed. I think a few tweaks would work but it's hard to convince outside people of that when the most vocal posters in Facebook groups spew their conspiracy theories and hate speech. Their solution is to vote for the pandemic science denying candidates because they were homeschooled. It's not a good look.

I homeschool in a county in the DMV (not Montgomery), and have for years. I have a master's degree in secondary education from a reputable university. I use a curriculum that is easily recognized. I have found that the county does not check up on us except for one or two emails a year, but I think it's because they know me a bit and know that I am qualified and know what I am doing. Our special education department does follow up with families that require it.

This is heavily dependent on your local school board and education department.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It isn't important what the general public thinks about homeschoolers. Their opinions have absolutely no impact or influence on how homeschoolers educate their children. A few of the negative comments on this thread betray the ignorance of the general public. They have no clue what it is homeschoolers do nor how we do it. One poster, in particular, would benefit from a course on critical thinking.

Unfortunately, you are wrong. It's incredibly important what the general public thinks because they are the ones who vote for the people who make the rules and regulations. There are very few regulations in my state. I love being able to homeschool my SN kid in a way that is most beneficial to him, and I do it quite well (I'm a child psychologist). But without a doubt there are some kids who need to be protected, and with increased numbers of homeschoolers I predict some policy changes will be proposed. I think a few tweaks would work but it's hard to convince outside people of that when the most vocal posters in Facebook groups spew their conspiracy theories and hate speech. Their solution is to vote for the pandemic science denying candidates because they were homeschooled. It's not a good look.

I homeschool in a county in the DMV (not Montgomery), and have for years. I have a master's degree in secondary education from a reputable university. I use a curriculum that is easily recognized. I have found that the county does not check up on us except for one or two emails a year, but I think it's because they know me a bit and know that I am qualified and know what I am doing. Our special education department does follow up with families that require it.

This is heavily dependent on your local school board and education department.

Demonstrated proficiency (teaching several of your children a few years, with demonstrated progress/ability) usually also decreases the check ins. They care more (rightly, imo) about teaching ability than a degree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My opinion on homeschooling hasn’t changed. I’ve seen too many people who are barely literate homeschool their kids because of religious reasons. Also, too many people with weird beliefs/conspiracy theories homeschool. However there are some individuals who are doing it well...kudos to them. I think all these people who are jumping into homeschooling because of the pandemic will actual lead to more regulation so those families who planned to homeschool their kids all along will actually be negatively affected.

Why do you associate with all these people when you have such distain?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Homeschool is one of the best options for 2e kids especially in middle school. By high school they can take dual enrollment classes at community colleges.

I have a 2e and this is why I homeschool and I gave up a successful career to do so. This was not part of my life plan but we tried public and specialized private school and they all failed to meet my child’s needs. Regular school just can’t provide the level of support the way homeschooling can and I can provide accommodations without having to fight during dreadful IEP meetings etc.

Not meant to be a snarky question: but did you consider hiring a professional teacher to teacher your kid 1:1? Sadly, most educators are paid less than other occupations, so overall you would have likely still had a net positive income during your kids schooling years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Homeschool is one of the best options for 2e kids especially in middle school. By high school they can take dual enrollment classes at community colleges.

I have a 2e and this is why I homeschool and I gave up a successful career to do so. This was not part of my life plan but we tried public and specialized private school and they all failed to meet my child’s needs. Regular school just can’t provide the level of support the way homeschooling can and I can provide accommodations without having to fight during dreadful IEP meetings etc.

This was exactly my case as well. Public was not working (in either way) and specialized private was so expensive and far -- it would have been very disruptive for the whole family. So I, too, gave up my career to homeschool and don't regret it for a second. After a couple of years, I realized that my child was much better educated and much stronger in every subject -- including the area of his special need -- than his supposedly accelerated siblings in public.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ummm ... it’s the exact opposite.

+1 Most parents are realizing that it's very, very difficult if not impossible to teach your kids everything they would learn in a school environment from real teachers at your house. I used to think that with enough effort (lucky) homeschooled kids could get all of the academics done, but would still miss out on socialization. Now I realize the academics are probably not getting done either.

I say lucky because I personally know several homeschool moms who brag every month or so about how all 4-5 of their kids got "All As Again!!" in grammatically nonsensical FB posts, so I don't trust that those kids have a shot in hell in the first place. But with an educated, dedicated parent, and fewer kids to teach, it seemed possible.

If this is true, you do associate with some oddballs. This is my seventh year homeschooling and I have never met one homeschooler who even gives grades, much less brags about them. On the other hand, my private and public school neighbors...