"School choice" drives me crazy. Gov't schools in my county are re-districting. Parents are up in arms that their kids will be divided (one new school... 3 overcrowding, some charters up for renewal).
People... if the government runs the schools, you have no choice. You may be granted an appeal, or successfully sue... but you have ZERO CHOICE. Further, you have zero influence on the curriculum.
Private (well vetted first), then hybrid home school, then home school. Find a way to get your kids out of government run schools.
I do think there is a very important aspect to going to school with other students that home school can't give a child. It isn't what they teach, but the socialization with other people that a child learns. I also think it is extremely important for children to learn this while young and still developing.
While at school with other kids, children learn things like, how do I make friends, how do I talk to strangers, how do I deal with assholes, how to I ask for help, how to I be assertive, how to I stand up for myself, how do I figure out things on my own, how do I deal with peer pressure, how do I talk to someone I am attracted to, how to I act when I am uncomfortable, how do I deal with rejection, how to I deal with failure, as well as other aspects of socialization.
There is no doubt in my mind that homeschooling is far better for children at teaching them book smarts, but I believe it leaves them lacking at many other aspects of growing up. I know that homeschooling parents will try to do things like meetups with other homeschooling parents, but you just can't get the same thing without a child going to a school with other students.
Every single homeschooled child I have ever met has been quiet, shy, and awkward, but they are also some of the best educated children I have ever seen. A hybrid of homeschool and school with other kids sounds good depending on what that means.
What one of my friends did was she homeschooled her child until 8th grade and then sent him to a school with other students so he could learn to socialize with other kids. Another friend had her kid in school 3 days per week and homeschool the other two days until high school in which her kid went to school full time with a couple hours of homeschool after school most days to keep up on education. I don't know what type of system or what type of hybrid is best, I just believe that while homeschool might be the best education, there are things a child can't learn being homeschooled and need to go to school with other students to learn.
Public schools: tons of "socialization" and ZERO control of curriculum
Private schools: tons of socialization, control of curriculum (by choosing the right school) but big $$.
Hybrid: best of all of the above and some $$
Home school: minimal socialization, minimal cost, complete control of curriculum.
I'd just like to see some objective research that "socialization" is a real concern (for the typical suburban homeschooler - not the hermit types living in isolation).
"School choice" drives me crazy. Gov't schools in my county are re-districting. Parents are up in arms that their kids will be divided (one new school... 3 overcrowding, some charters up for renewal).
People... if the government runs the schools, you have no choice. You may be granted an appeal, or successfully sue... but you have ZERO CHOICE. Further, you have zero influence on the curriculum.
Private (well vetted first), then hybrid home school, then home school. Find a way to get your kids out of government run schools.
I do think there is a very important aspect to going to school with other students that home school can't give a child. It isn't what they teach, but the socialization with other people that a child learns. I also think it is extremely important for children to learn this while young and still developing.
While at school with other kids, children learn things like, how do I make friends, how do I talk to strangers, how do I deal with assholes, how to I ask for help, how to I be assertive, how to I stand up for myself, how do I figure out things on my own, how do I deal with peer pressure, how do I talk to someone I am attracted to, how to I act when I am uncomfortable, how do I deal with rejection, how to I deal with failure, as well as other aspects of socialization.
There is no doubt in my mind that homeschooling is far better for children at teaching them book smarts, but I believe it leaves them lacking at many other aspects of growing up. I know that homeschooling parents will try to do things like meetups with other homeschooling parents, but you just can't get the same thing without a child going to a school with other students.
Every single homeschooled child I have ever met has been quiet, shy, and awkward, but they are also some of the best educated children I have ever seen. A hybrid of homeschool and school with other kids sounds good depending on what that means.
What one of my friends did was she homeschooled her child until 8th grade and then sent him to a school with other students so he could learn to socialize with other kids. Another friend had her kid in school 3 days per week and homeschool the other two days until high school in which her kid went to school full time with a couple hours of homeschool after school most days to keep up on education. I don't know what type of system or what type of hybrid is best, I just believe that while homeschool might be the best education, there are things a child can't learn being homeschooled and need to go to school with other students to learn.
So, we agree on a hybrid model.
Public schools: tons of "socialization" and ZERO control of curriculum
Private schools: tons of socialization, control of curriculum (by choosing the right school) but big $$.
Hybrid: best of all of the above and some $$
Home school: minimal socialization, minimal cost, complete control of curriculum.
I'd just like to see some objective research that "socialization" is a real concern (for the typical suburban homeschooler - not the hermit types living in isolation).
When was this? I went to public school too, in TX in the 80s. The curriculum is different now/ last 10 years.