Homeschooling

[PlasmaHam]

California looks likely to soon pass legislation adding much greater restrictions on homeschooling, in the wake of the Turpin tragedy where 13 homeschooled kids were essentially imprisoned by their parents. California is one of, if not the, biggest homeschooling states, so this could have some big impact on homeschooling in and across America in the future.

I think this would be an interesting topic to discuss. Not just this Californian bill, but your opinion on homeschooling in general and how much the state should be involved in it.

[Sailor Mars]

I think homeschooling is kinda meh in my opinion. I have a friend who’s homeschooled n she basically just teaches herself. I personally wouldn’t rely or trust my parents to teach me. I think it could a lot easier lead to a lack of education in certain areas and a bias ykno? If it’s a tutor that’s a bit different, but I think it’s best for kids to go out to public or private schools instead of being homeschooled. I think, ultimately, there should be regulations and maybe even checkups to a certain extent, but I don’t think a kid should be FORCED to go and attend a public school if they’re being homeschooled.

[SethfromMI]

It seemed like some of the kids who get home schooled around here do have someone from a district which checks up to see how they are coming along, for testing, etc. I think people should allow to home school their children but that being said, I do think one of the qualifications should be to make sure a proper learning environment is provided.

[ShineintheDark]

As long as the child is checked on and assessed regualrly by a recognised examination body (they are tested to ensure they are educated to a high school level, just like everyone else) then I don't see why a parent may not choose to homeschool their child. Of course, to be taking your child out of school to teach them yourself you should prove you are able to actually teach them and not be relying on them to teach themselves since tat child will likely struggle to learn if they have a question or don't understand a component of the work.

[mick01]

I'm sure there are good reasons for home schooling but personally I wouldn't want it. You lose; the social interaction in general, the chance to be with close friends, the opportunity to participate in discussions/debates about different topics where you learn different perspectives, and the chance to move into a different environment and structure than the home where you have to learn different life skills.

[mattsmith48]

I'm not in favour of it, even by testing the kid it is hard to go through everything and check the accuracy of the information they get, as a lot of parents use homeschooling to teach bullshit to their kids, mostly religious instead reality and facts. I'm not really in favour of banning it completely, sometimes it is necessary like in some cases of bullying when it becomes so bad parents have to take them out of school.

So I think you really need to put restrictions on the reasons why parents want to homeschool, and that will inevitably turn into a debate on whether should the parents' religious believes interfere with their child's education probably becoming a similar debate to whether or not should Jewish and Muslim parents have the right to circumcise their baby boys based on their believes that their god wants them to do so.

[Spooky_Eli]

i am not in favor of home schooling, however i'm also not in favor of the government restricting it.

[Kiki03]

I have friends that are home schooled and they are really smart. I wouldn't mind being home schooled.

[lliam]

I have some reservations about home schooling.

However, at my current school I met classmates who were home schoolers.

My best buddy, a senior, had a very special form of home schooling.

He visited the kindergarten and primary school, then his parents decided to sail around the world with a befriended couple and their kids on a huge catamaran.

The journey continues, but he spent 8 years at sea and was taught by his mother and the other mother along with all the other children. Both moms are state-approved teachers.

The teaching concept of the two mos was to encourage their kids to self-study as early as possible.

It seems to have worked out. My classmate is very self-reliant and self-disciplined in learning and, according to some teachers, one of the best students who ever attended our school. The concept of his two teachers continues at our school, which is probably one of the reasons why his parents preferred this school.

He attended this school three years ago and says the reason he chose this school too was more due the fact, that there are only about 200 students at this school.

The idea moving to a school with ten times more (or even more) students gave him the creep.


Even if there are ideal conditions for home schooling, e.g. because the parents are suitable for it, I suppose most home schoolers will not easily get used to the daily bustle, social pecking order, etc. at a regular school.

[KatieCO2003]

I attend an online school that is part of the state's k-12 system. It's mostly for rural kids like me that live up in the mountains, but we also have a good number of elete athletes, musicians, etc. And it's certainly not easy. I do most of my work on my own, but we do have online classes and video (when it works), so in that respect, it is kind of like being in a conventional school.

[Snowfox]

Homeschooling is actually fine alternative and in some cases best option available.
For example in case family is living far away from nearest school.
Or in many cases school classes are full of raging monkeys which makes learning anything darn hard or even impossible. In home kids may have better changes to concentrate to subjects.

Sometimes kids are homeschooled because normal school is too dangerous place for them for reason or another. Like kid is sick and needs to be in environment where contamination risk is greatly reduced. Or kid is only white kid in area full of black kids waiting to slice his/her throath.

There you have just few reasons why homeschooling might be good idea. It really depends on reasons. And yes sometimes reasons are religious but often times in cases like that parents choose some special school that is religious and that meets their idea of good school.
Also parents may really be better teachers than teachers in school. Depending quality level of school and there is great variation in that.

[NewLeafsFan]

I don't believe that homeschooling can replace going to school. There are many experiences that we learn from that we would not get at home. For example, presentations in front of a class, social development in the early years, and the benefit of building friendships.

Also, when parents homeschool children, while they might not be allowed to, parents can "alter" the curriculum. I've heard of several cases of parents refusing to teach sex ed or evolution. And substituting these with "creation stories" and "abstinence-condoms don't work" lessons. And that is completely unacceptable.

As far as this piece of legislature is concerned, I haven't read enough on it to forma solid opinion. However, I don't think it should be banned because of one bad case of imprisoned kids as unfortunate as that story is.

[Uniquemind]

I don’t think all “Homeschooling” should be painted with one long brush and then 2nd layering a judgment of its worth morally or intrinsically.


However I think it fair to ensure that homeschool teaches no lies. I don’t think society benefits from allowing people to live in bubbles of knowledge in-which factual information has already disproven false.

Example: a homeschool system that teaches students to believe in A Flat Earth, while one can have an opinion, this should be outlawed.


Well-being and medical checkups should by verifiable by state representatives, to address homeschooling abuse cases and prevent them and have some societal channels to pass on urgent or complaints if abuse or a lackluster homeschool does exist.

[Stronk Serb]

This whole idea of homeschooling is foreign and pretty alien to me. I mean here you must go to school, wether it is private or not. The closest thing we have to homeschooling is irregular education where you essentially do not have to show up for class and many don't, but at the end of each year you have an exam to take which encompases the entire curriculum.

[Dezzy1]

There are a few kids in our area that are home-schooled. They don't seem odd or anything, and its just a choice their parents make. I don't see anything wrong with it, but I haven't really talked about it much or read about it.

[Dmaxd123]

i can make arguments for and against it:

in cases like Katie where there is a qualified (by the state standards) educator and at least some regular scheduled group time I think it's ok

in the case of the parents that just decide "i want to teach my kids at home" but may have only been an average at best student while they were in school, is it really going to provide the best education?


Some of my thoughts:
why does a teacher need a 4 year degree to teach someone else's kid... probably a GED to teach your own?

it could be a positive to say all homeschooled kids need to be active participants in a youth organization: community sports, 4-H, scouts, ect... so they can at least be assured some outside interaction

do homeschool kids have to take the same standardized tests that everyone else does in the state?

another thing in public school vs homeschooling, regular public school you get started learning a schedule so you are ready for college or the work force... homeschooling probably depends on the parent if you get a rigid schedule or really flexible, flexible could be nice but may also not be in the kids best interest in preparing for life after school

[thewilddog]

I don't believe that homeschooling can replace going to school. There are many experiences that we learn from that we would not get at home. For example, presentations in front of a class, social development in the early years, and the benefit of building friendships.

Also, when parents homeschool children, while they might not be allowed to, parents can "alter" the curriculum. I've heard of several cases of parents refusing to teach sex ed or evolution. And substituting these with "creation stories" and "abstinence-condoms don't work" lessons. And that is completely unacceptable.

As far as this piece of legislature is concerned, I haven't read enough on it to forma solid opinion. However, I don't think it should be banned because of one bad case of imprisoned kids as unfortunate as that story is.
Ok, do we really need those things? In work people expect you to get on independently, homeschooling is perfect for that! Einstein was homeschooled, Einstein!!!!!!!! That friendship stuff is utter trash I am homeschooled and i have plenty of friends. You do know you can only really get to know 8 people at once. its been proven. I dont believe going to school can replace homeschooling. Homeschoolers are the smartest people I know. yes maybe we dont behave the same as "normal" ( im being sarcastic) people do. yes we lack a bit of tact. We get a lot more work done. We have time to focus on our passions. Yes I believe students should be checked on by local authorities to check they arent being abused and do at least one extracurricular activity per week. thats expected. Homeschooling saved my brother, he had problems and it rescued him. (see my other threads for more detail) PM me when I have 100 posts if you want to chat!! or just reply now :-)

[thewilddog]

Oh damn!?!!??!!? i didnt mean to bump an nold post......... but i do want to share this.... sorry admin!!!!!!!!

[Oscar-V3.0]

As long as the child is checked on and assessed regualrly by a recognised examination body (they are tested to ensure they are educated to a high school level, just like everyone else) then I don't see why a parent may not choose to homeschool their child. Of course, to be taking your child out of school to teach them yourself you should prove you are able to actually teach them and not be relying on them to teach themselves since tat child will likely struggle to learn if they have a question or don't understand a component of the work.

Totally agree. I think the exact same thing but you say it so much better than I do lol

[Dav1d]

homeschooling should be banned

[thewilddog]

homeschooling should be banned

why?? Theres nothing wrong with it as long as the authorities are informed!!!!!!&&!£!!#