Home Schooling

My own personal experience is that some aspects of homeschooling are better. Certainly if the parent is attentive, the child has a more fulfilling experience, and generally does better in subjects such as English and Mathematics. There are downsides, however. I was home-schooled from K-9th, dropping out at the 10th. Most home-schooling curriculum (That I've seen at least) is heavily influenced by young-earth creationism. I learned no real science in home-schooling, and most history/social studies only included what the christian authors' bias deemed relevant. I only learned relevant things about the real world once I was out in it. I was also completely unprepared for any positive social interaction. The educational system in general here in the US is flawed, but I feel that public school is still better for it's ability to better prepare you for interacting socially. Children should also be paid more attention to by parents, and should be encouraged to learn more on their own as well and to think critically. My opinions anyway.

As far as socialization, it completely depends on how the parents approach it. I know people who were homeschooled and couldn't function when they tried to switch to public school because they hadn't really had any social interaction. But I also know people who were part of homeschooling groups with other homeschooled kids, so they had a lot of social interaction and they did just fine in social situations.

I think that average students can benefit a lot from traditional school. The curriculum is written for the average student. High achievers or people who need more special attention might benefit more from homeschooling. There are also other options (private school, montessori schools, early college or dual enrollment for high schoolers, etc.) for high achievers who feel they aren't being challenged enough in public school.

As far as the homeschooling curriculum, that all depends on the parents and the curriculums they choose to use. Some parents might not like the homeschool curriculums they know of, but there could be others out there that are better that they just haven't found access to.

To me, education and religion should be kept separate. Which I did not have the option to choose.

Kyp wrote: My own personal experience is that some aspects of homeschooling are better. Certainly if the parent is attentive, the child has a more fulfilling experience, and generally does better in subjects such as English and Mathematics. There are downsides, however. I was home-schooled from K-9th, dropping out at the 10th. Most home-schooling curriculum (That I've seen at least) is heavily influenced by young-earth creationism. I learned no real science in home-schooling, and most history/social studies only included what the christian authors' bias deemed relevant. I only learned relevant things about the real world once I was out in it. I was also completely unprepared for any positive social interaction. The educational system in general here in the US is flawed, but I feel that public school is still better for it's ability to better prepare you for interacting socially. Children should also be paid more attention to by parents, and should be encouraged to learn more on their own as well and to think critically. My opinions anyway.

It's an issue of curriculum. If you use Abeka or whatever, then sure, it'll be YEC. This wasn't an issue for me because one, my family, while being religious, is sane, and two, I don't believe in science, so it wouldn't have been important anyway. Homeschoolers have the freedom to choose their curriculum.

Oh, I'm not saying it's all bad by any means. Mainly that each has it's own advantages and disadvantages. I was able to learn what I needed to after I left home, but the first few years were a living hell.

Kyp wrote: Oh, I'm not saying it's all bad by any means. Mainly that each has it's own advantages and disadvantages. I was able to learn what I needed to after I left home, but the first few years were a living hell.

It's cool, I wasn't assuming that you meant that. Yeah, I did encounter a lot of that in homeschooling, but there's way more good.

Star Forge wrote:
It's an issue of curriculum. If you use Abeka or whatever, then sure, it'll be YEC. This wasn't an issue for me because one, my family, while being religious, is sane, and two, I don't believe in science, so it wouldn't have been important anyway. Homeschoolers have the freedom to choose their curriculum.

Its a good thing science doesn't require your faith in it to be accurate, or there would have been no way for you to post your comment on this website.

I'm doing a Master's in Education right now. The experts seem to think the best curriculum is a "complete program" which means the teacher is a guide and the student chooses based on their curiosity what to study. This is similar to home-schooling but you need to be a qualified guide/teacher/parent to do it right.

As for socialization... AHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHA AHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHHA. Yeah right. Do you want your 5 year old to learn how to interact with others from another 5 year old? There is no evidence supporting the claim that "kids learn to socialize by going to public school". It's completely absurd. I can teach a child how to be social 10x faster than a child can and 10x better so why would I send them to a school where they learn to be social from other kids?

Desolous wrote:

Star Forge wrote:
It's an issue of curriculum. If you use Abeka or whatever, then sure, it'll be YEC. This wasn't an issue for me because one, my family, while being religious, is sane, and two, I don't believe in science, so it wouldn't have been important anyway. Homeschoolers have the freedom to choose their curriculum.

Its a good thing science doesn't require your faith in it to be accurate, or there would have been no way for you to post your comment on this website.

You trying to build a career out of busting my balls?

Hence the reason my opinion is based on my experience. It sucks growing up with no friends, no peers, and being expected to automatically and instinctually function appropriately in society once you finally get thrown headfirst into the brick wall that is life.