Quote From: jamloraus It is good for your family that you have the money to move to a more expensive area for your child's education. Most don't have that ablility. Also, a higher socio-econimic area does NOT guarantee a good school.
I agree that a major problem in the public schools is when parents turn their children over and expect the school system to do it ALL. That is just a recipe for disaster.
I disagree with you when it comes to "socialization". My son (homeschooled for the past year and a half...7th and now 8th grade) is very socialized. He just got his black belt in Karate - where he learns to fight if necessary, walk away if he can, respect, honor, self esteem, etc - he works a part time job two hours a day - where he learns to deal with bosses with different personalities, deadlines, expectations, responsiblity, etc - he spends time at his grandmother's retirement community where he helps her neighbors and socializes with them, he raises bearded dragons and rehabs box turtles. Then there is his church youth group and all the activities there. He acolytes at church, is an usher, etc. He is having a problem right now with some of his friends growing away from him, and is making new friends. We talk to him and guide him, but this is part and parcel of being a young teen - NOT something he is dealing with because he is homeschooled. Over all, he is happy, well adjusted and very social. He is extreemly curious, has some unscheduled learning time when we talk and research things that he is curious about, but he also is required to sit and have structured school. He's advanced in math and science.
The problem with this whole debate is the anecdotal nature of it. For every failure in public school, I can show you one brilliant success. The same can be done for homeschooling. We can go tit-for-tat back and forth all day and never resolve the "debate". Neither side will ever run out of "examples" to back thier side, and the other side will always say, "That's just one example. What about........." And so it goes. All I can say is that I feel I am doing what is right for my own child. He is getting a good, well rounded education and is not lacking in social skills. As a matter of fact, he may have more social skills that a large number of his peers.
-Lori
Every education has its ups and downs, it has its advantages and dis advantages. It is up to the parents, if the parents are connected to their children and knows what is best for them the children will succeed in what ever. I have an 18 month, 8yr old and I have decided that I would look into homeschooling for them. I have done research on the subject and have attended a gathering for parents who homeschool it was pretty interesting and defently got me seriously thinking about homeschooling my children, its not nessesarly because public schools are bad or anything like that, some public schools are great and some are bad, it depends on where you live and what environment you are around. Personaly the school where we live it is fairly decent but I feel for my child I would try homeschooling because she is not doing to good in public school. I have talked to my child about it, and at first she was completely agianst it, she was upset when I told her I was looking into it. Now, she keeps asking me when am I going to start.
Weather you homeschool,private school, or public school your child, all education needs help from the parent to ensure they are suceeding from what ever education route they are in. If what ever education rout you choose for your child is not working, try something eles.
The main impotant focus should not be on weather or not public schools and homeschooling is bad or good. The main focus should be on the child, is my child performing, succeeding in education.
