kgordon

I'm sorry, but I think that it is so unfair how children can be taught at home by their parents. All homeschooled students miraculously have perfect GPA's (or close to it)...it is just such an unfair system. Now I know that a whole bunch of people are going to disagree with me, but seriously, as a parent, could you EVER give your child an F? Also, it's unfair to the kid, who does not develop socially. Depriving someone of a high-school experience is just mean.

wakenda

First of all, I believe this post is out of line. Secondly, how many homeschoolers do you know? Do you have any direct experience with homeschooling? Some homeschoolers choose to be homeschooled themselves, it's not the parent depriving them of a high school experience. There are many different types of homeschoolers out there, and yes, some of them do not do as much academic work as they would in school, but some do more. Do your reasearch before you attack an entire group of people. No two homeschoolers do it the same way.

texas137

you obviously do not know many homeschoolers. It is NOT kids being taught (and graded) at home by their parents. Basically it's "hand-tailored education", using anything and everything that meets your needs. Distance learning courses, college courses, homeschooler courses, tutors, independent study, internships, mentoring, travel.

Think of homeschooling like building your own house instead of buying a tract home. It doesn't mean you drive every nail yourself. It just means you make all the decisions about how it's going to be. If you want to hire a contractor, carpenter, electrician, or whatever, you do.

Also, no college admits a student based on parent-generated grades. They all have some combination of test scores, grades from outside sources, and/or a portfolio. Parent-generated grades are optional, and probably taken with a grain of salt.

bluealien01

Depriving someone of an actual education in a non-disruptive (and most likely non-violent) environment is mean?

Tanstaafl

kgordon, next time you troll, try and make it a little less obvious.

jamimom

I think you are spewing generalities that do not apply too often. First of all, in my experience, most families who home school do so for a pretty good reason. Sometimes the school alternatives are not good or not even available for the kids. There are a number of families who home school for philosphical reasons, but there are also for whom it is really the best alternative.

Home schooled kids with low test scores are going to be at a disadvantage over kids going to school whose other stats, namely an official transcript, are strong. That is a disadvantage of homeschooling. My niece, for instance, did not do well on her SATs, but her school's strong reputation, paired with excellent grades including a number of AP courses, got her into some good school, including an ivy. Without a strong hook of some sort, I doubt the same result would have occurred if she were homeschooled.

reasonabledad

kgordon ~ you have mis-understood homeschooling completely. For some (including some parents responding above) it is all about academic excellence and innovation. And in general, our kids have a fabulous "experience" which cannot be duplicated by public school. Both of mine left good public schools to be homeschooled. Their choice, not forced on them.

It's not for everyone, but it is definitiely for some.

Susantm

If you think homeschoolers do not develop socially, you have obviously never met my son!

I remember one summer day years ago when our boys were both elementary age, and the usual crowd of neighborhood kids was running through our house--the place to be in our neighborhood, obviously. I turned to my husband and commented, "Boy, it's sure too bad our boys are so socially deprived." right...

fids

I and most of my homeschooled friends have MUCH better social lives than my schooled friends, partly because we're so much HAPPIER. We're doing things that we actually love to do, not passing the time away for the grade.

I am not at home all day long doing parent taught lessons; I have complete freedom in terms of what I want to study. I attend colleges and universities full time, am extremely active in my community, and am an extremely mature and responsible autodidact who genuinely LOVES to learn and adores a challenge. I don't know many teenagers within the public schooling system who can say that for themselves.

Parent awarded grades may be biased at times, but colleges generally have a whole bunch of materials to judge homeschoolers by, and homeschoolers often perform wonderfully in college because we are self-directed and self-motivated.

I am SO thankful for the opportunity to take charge of my education through homeschooling, and that prejudiced mindset of yours only means that you're missing out.

mominsearch

Just my two cents, I home schooled both of my sons (first son 3rd - 9th, and 2nd son from 1 - 8th) for us it was the best option for us. However, we really value education and I made sure that they received an excellent one. We were involved in a home school group which participated in many activities (art classes, plays, orchestra, piano lessons, book discussions). It was one of the best experiences I've ever had. It was truly a joy for my children and me.

As stated above, you do get to study things you don't in a traditional school setting because once your done with each subject you're done (no homework even though they did special projects). My oldest son studied foreign languages and the history of everything, and they have both studied things that they never have time to study now that they are back in a traditional school setting. Ahh freedom....

Since they are both in high school now I can tell you that their teachers are very very impressed with them. They are both excellent students (at the very top of their classes) and highly respected. My older son graduates this year and has had many leadership positions; my youngest son has had parts in every school play. They are both outgoing, healthy, respectful, friendly kids. I think one of the reasons that high school has been easier for them is because they have a good self-esteem. It is just amazing that so many of their friends are afraid to try things (run for office, join clubs, etc.) because other people have told them they are ugly, stupid, etc.

Is home schooling for everyone? Absolutely not, and I know of families that just aren't doing that great of a job; that being said I know a lot of students in school that aren't either. It's an option that I feel entitled to have.

jamimom - I always had my kids tested every year so that we had an "official" document stating that they were in the top of the nation. There are home school groups (check with your state home school group) that offer these testing services. No, we don't administer the tests ourselves (and yes, they are timed & given the exact way traditional schools do them) they have to be given by a licensed teacher. Just thought you'd like to know. Plus, taking the tests gave them confindence and practice for the real SAT/ACT.

bonafide20

to the OP....keep in mind that state mandated indoctrination concentration camps (aka public schools) are an innovation. Only within the past 200 years that it has become the norm....prior to that, chilren received a loving education from their parents, who have the right to education their own children....afterall, they are THEIR children and NOT the government's. I guess prior to public schools, the poor little children were deprived of a social life "too" right? I, unfortunately, was "educated" in the din of iniquity called public schools and I was not fortunate enough to be taught at home. When I have children, they will benefit from an education from a naturlaly loving environment instead of the articial, uncaring, germ filled, violent, unhealthy environment called the school system.

lisa2

My kids take achievement tests every year.
Their scores are 95 percentiles +
They have or will take the SAT's... scores mid 700's

They write essay's,reseach papers,take tests, great EC's including holding a job(s),etc.

One has written a novel and is working with an editor.

We had to send in much more paperwork to apply to colleges; 2-3 essays, research paper(s), writing samples, transcript, syllabus, list of books read etc. For a total of 60+ pages!

YOU HAD IT EASY!

Lisa
Home school Mom to some highly intelligent creative and independent students!



PS one of your posts: Your posts certainly makes you appear to be a ignorant toll!

Middlebury college board
1. rejected
2. 3.8, 1400,740,740,740
3. GPA is kinda low...my writing sample was not spectacular...moderate EC's

nattiebee

I was homeschooled my ENTIRE life and I have been lately accepted to both Harvard and Duke. A homeschooled education was the greatest gift my parents ever gave me, and I am the farthest thing one could possibly be from socially deficient, as are most other homeschoolers. Seems like the joke's on you.

JLO

Ditto on nattiebee. I am also homeschooled, and will be leaving for the U.S. Naval Academy this summer.

-Joel

mominsearch

Congratulations nattiebee & JLO!