Home schooling - please explain this to me

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's estimated that something like 30% of your child's day is spent in time off task. So if your school runs 6 hours of which 4 hours of that is spent in reading/writing/and math and almost a third of that is spent in time off task, that gives an individual kid in a room with 25 other kids somewhere around 2.75 hours of on task learning for reading and language arts.

Many homeschooling families do the more academic reading, writing, and math activities during those two hours in the morning and use classes, field trips, etc, for science, social studies, art, pe, and music classes that they are not counting into the two hours of schoolwork.

As for whether or not parents are qualified to teach their own child. There are obviously data points on both ends- some parents shouldn't be homeschooling their children for a variety of reasons, but there are also some teachers that shouldn't be teaching anyone either. There really isn't a ton of specialized knowledge that elementary teachers magically get by going to college and studying education that a parent who knows how to access information isn't capable of doing him or herself.

As for the original questions, I can see a parent wanting to homeschool their young boys for the first couple of grades for a variety of reasons - many kindergartens are not developmentally appropriate learning environments, parent may value more exposure to content knowledge at an early age, there may be religious reasons, they may have very slight special needs that aren't being addressed by the schools, there may have been bullied even if their neighborhood schools are considered good.

Source?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Homeschool kids score higher on ACT/SAT, get higher grades in college, graduate at a higher percentage , have more college credits prior to freshman year and are more likely to vote and participate in community service as adults.


http://www.cbsnews.com/news/can-homeschoolers-do-well-in-college/


Why wouldn't people who care about their kids homeschool?

I hate the argument that if you don't do x you must hate your kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's estimated that something like 30% of your child's day is spent in time off task. So if your school runs 6 hours of which 4 hours of that is spent in reading/writing/and math and almost a third of that is spent in time off task, that gives an individual kid in a room with 25 other kids somewhere around 2.75 hours of on task learning for reading and language arts.

Source?

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/inside-school-research/2014/05/on_task_attention.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's estimated that something like 30% of your child's day is spent in time off task. So if your school runs 6 hours of which 4 hours of that is spent in reading/writing/and math and almost a third of that is spent in time off task, that gives an individual kid in a room with 25 other kids somewhere around 2.75 hours of on task learning for reading and language arts.

Source?

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/inside-school-research/2014/05/on_task_attention.html

1. They considered a child off task if a child was not directing his/her eyes at the instructor or the activity. That could happen anywhere since that is such a broad definition of "off task."

2. They observed each classroom 3-4 times for an hour each. That's a huge extrapolation then to the entire school day to arrive at the percentages.

3. 71% of the total children observed were on task

4. 29% of the children were off task (not 29% of the time all children were off task as you described). Here is the full study: http://www.columbia.edu/~rsb2162/Godwinetal_v12.pdf, read under RESULTS "Consistent with prior research, children were largely on
task: 71% of children’s observed behaviors were on-task."

So the truth is that the vast majority (7 out of 10) kids were on task during the observations AND those that were deemed off task were those that might not have his/her eyes on the instructor for 20+ seconds.

[Anonymous]

I don't completely disagree with the study, but even so, only about half of that time is attributable to being in a classroom environment verses being home. Even if say 15-20% of a child's day is filled with distractions that wouldn't happen at home, out of 4.5 hours, that's over 3.5 hours of efficient academic work a day. Not 1-2 hours per day or academic work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't completely disagree with the study, but even so, only about half of that time is attributable to being in a classroom environment verses being home. Even if say 15-20% of a child's day is filled with distractions that wouldn't happen at home, out of 4.5 hours, that's over 3.5 hours of efficient academic work a day. Not 1-2 hours per day or academic work.

Again, the study said that of the 4 hours (from different days/times) observed, 7 out of 10 kids were on task, as they define 'on task.' So that means that it is far more than 3.5 hours of efficient work time. Additionally, are we to seriously think that a child who is homeschooled doesn't pick at his clothes or itch and then he/she would also be 'off task?' If I'm itching my leg and listening at the same time, I don't necessarily consider that off task.

[Anonymous]

time in school is lots of unecessary repetition (for teh kdis that didn't get it yet, and sometimes, yours will be one who needs the repetition but many times not) and lost time spent time off task (getting 20 kids coats on for recess can take forever). Do you guys not remember school? Lost fo waiting and repetition. Do you really think your kids are getting 6 hours of meaningfull elaning in a day at school. It is a babysitting service with 2-3 hours of actaul learning. Homeschoolers I know have 2-3 hours of instruction and then reading or trips out or socializingtime with other homeschoolers.

I thought I might homeschool but now see it isn't for me. But my best friend does and is doing a fabulous job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't completely disagree with the study, but even so, only about half of that time is attributable to being in a classroom environment verses being home. Even if say 15-20% of a child's day is filled with distractions that wouldn't happen at home, out of 4.5 hours, that's over 3.5 hours of efficient academic work a day. Not 1-2 hours per day or academic work.

Again, the study said that of the 4 hours (from different days/times) observed, 7 out of 10 kids were on task, as they define 'on task.' So that means that it is far more than 3.5 hours of efficient work time. Additionally, are we to seriously think that a child who is homeschooled doesn't pick at his clothes or itch and then he/she would also be 'off task?' If I'm itching my leg and listening at the same time, I don't necessarily consider that off task.

When I homeschooled for kindergarten, we had about 2.5 hours total of regular academic time during the weekday, but that included plenty of time for transitions, wiggling, reminders to get back on task, staring out the window at that interesting bird over there, etc. And that was kindergarten. I can't imagine how 2.5 hours a day would be enough time for a child in older elementary grades, let alone middle school or high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:time in school is lots of unecessary repetition (for teh kdis that didn't get it yet, and sometimes, yours will be one who needs the repetition but many times not) and lost time spent time off task (getting 20 kids coats on for recess can take forever[u]). Do you guys not remember school? Lost fo waiting and repetition. Do you really think your kids are getting 6 hours of meaningfull elaning in a day at school. It is a babysitting service with 2-3 hours of actaul learning. Homeschoolers I know have 2-3 hours of instruction and then reading or trips out or socializingtime with other homeschoolers.

I thought I might homeschool but now see it isn't for me. But my best friend does and is doing a fabulous job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:time in school is lots of unecessary repetition (for teh kdis that didn't get it yet, and sometimes, yours will be one who needs the repetition but many times not) and lost time spent time off task (getting 20 kids coats on for recess can take forever). Do you guys not remember school? Lost fo waiting and repetition. Do you really think your kids are getting 6 hours of meaningfull elaning in a day at school. It is a babysitting service with 2-3 hours of actaul learning. Homeschoolers I know have 2-3 hours of instruction and then reading or trips out or socializingtime with other homeschoolers.

I thought I might homeschool but now see it isn't for me. But my best friend does and is doing a fabulous job.

Here is the thing: it sounds GREAT to do 2-3 hours of hardcore instruction time at home and then spend the days on field trips, doing science, etc. In reality, that isn't what happens. First, they aren't getting 2-3 hours of hardcore instruction time. Those kids are going on errands with parents, waiting while parents get typical things done (laundry, phone calls, setting up service appointments, etc.) My friend said this summer that she would be using every Friday as field trip day. It is in Dec. She hasn't taken a single one yet. We ALL live close to the most wonderful museums but most of us don't go that often, either.

Most of those kids are playing and socializing, but they are NOT getting enough instruction time.

Additionally, many, many have gaps in their knowledge as they go up in years. How are these kids learning to work in groups? Do oral presentations to a class? Work in pairs? Having music and art in an instruction-way?

[Anonymous]

You can discount the findings however you want, but in the introduction, the author references several other studies that point to off-task behavior being around 25-30%.

When figuring out how much of the day was instructional, I took out time for lunch, recess, and specials, plus transitions, because like I said, most parents do this outside of the 2-3 hours of academic work.

Are you really arguing that 2-3 hours of one on one (or even one to three) instruction is really less than 4-5 hours of instruction with 25 kids, esp. When kids are coming and going to ESOL, Special Education, instrumental music practice, etc?

I've taught in the classroom, homeschooled, and had my child in public and for us it's definitely more efficient homeschooling.

Plus I can teach with a glass of wine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can discount the findings however you want, but in the introduction, the author references several other studies that point to off-task behavior being around 25-30%.

When figuring out how much of the day was instructional, I took out time for lunch, recess, and specials, plus transitions, because like I said, most parents do this outside of the 2-3 hours of academic work.

Are you really arguing that 2-3 hours of one on one (or even one to three) instruction is really less than 4-5 hours of instruction with 25 kids, esp. When kids are coming and going to ESOL, Special Education, instrumental music practice, etc?

I've taught in the classroom, homeschooled, and had my child in public and for us it's definitely more efficient homeschooling.

Plus I can teach with a glass of wine.

For one child, I'm sure it is. I'm not convinced about the parents who have 3 or more children they're homeschooling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can discount the findings however you want, but in the introduction, the author references several other studies that point to off-task behavior being around 25-30%.

When figuring out how much of the day was instructional, I took out time for lunch, recess, and specials, plus transitions, because like I said, most parents do this outside of the 2-3 hours of academic work.

Are you really arguing that 2-3 hours of one on one (or even one to three) instruction is really less than 4-5 hours of instruction with 25 kids, esp. When kids are coming and going to ESOL, Special Education, instrumental music practice, etc?

I've taught in the classroom, homeschooled, and had my child in public and for us it's definitely more efficient homeschooling.

Plus I can teach with a glass of wine.

Im not discounting the findings. Im quoting from her findings that 70% of the kids were on task. Why would you take out time for specials as being non instructive? Thats ridiculous. I'm saying that:

1. You are far underestimating instructional time in school.

2. There are almost always gaps in a home schooled kids learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can discount the findings however you want, but in the introduction, the author references several other studies that point to off-task behavior being around 25-30%.

When figuring out how much of the day was instructional, I took out time for lunch, recess, and specials, plus transitions, because like I said, most parents do this outside of the 2-3 hours of academic work.

Are you really arguing that 2-3 hours of one on one (or even one to three) instruction is really less than 4-5 hours of instruction with 25 kids, esp. When kids are coming and going to ESOL, Special Education, instrumental music practice, etc?

I've taught in the classroom, homeschooled, and had my child in public and for us it's definitely more efficient homeschooling.

Plus I can teach with a glass of wine.

Im not discounting the findings. Im quoting from her findings that 70% of the kids were on task. Why would you take out time for specials as being non instructive? Thats ridiculous. I'm saying that:

1. You are far underestimating instructional time in school.

2. There are almost always gaps in a home schooled kids learning.

College teacher - my homeschooled kids are my best students. always get As. I send my kids to public school, so this isn't personal. But these kids, at least the ones that end up at my second tier private college, FAR outshine the kids thier traditionally schooled classmates. I mention second-tier because I'm dealing with average kids not the rare super smart kid. I can say with almost 20 years of teaching at two different institution (one an RI research institution), the homeschooled kids that makes it to college will be better prepared for college than their classmates. Also one of my colleages was homeschooled. She went to Sarah Lawrence (I think, or a college like it. Maybe Vassar?) for undergrad.

It is fine not to homeschool (no way I could - plus I love my job). But the kids who are homeschooled will be better than fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can discount the findings however you want, but in the introduction, the author references several other studies that point to off-task behavior being around 25-30%.

When figuring out how much of the day was instructional, I took out time for lunch, recess, and specials, plus transitions, because like I said, most parents do this outside of the 2-3 hours of academic work.

Are you really arguing that 2-3 hours of one on one (or even one to three) instruction is really less than 4-5 hours of instruction with 25 kids, esp. When kids are coming and going to ESOL, Special Education, instrumental music practice, etc?

I've taught in the classroom, homeschooled, and had my child in public and for us it's definitely more efficient homeschooling.

Plus I can teach with a glass of wine.

Im not discounting the findings. Im quoting from her findings that 70% of the kids were on task. Why would you take out time for specials as being non instructive? Thats ridiculous. I'm saying that:

1. You are far underestimating instructional time in school.

2. There are almost always gaps in a home schooled kids learning.

I don't think you are closely reading what I wrote. I took out specials because most homeschooling parents when saying they get their academics done in two hours are not including things like outside music classes, piano practice, gym or playground time, or outside art classes. I took it out for both so we'd be comparing the same items.

There are always gaps in any education. It doesn't matter what kind. I went to a great public high school with a really good science and math program, but I certainly had gaps about world history esp. in regards to non-Western civilizations and the foreign language instruction was a joke.

What a lot of homeschooling parents are trying to teach is ownership for your own education and inquisitiveness about the world.