Home Schooling?

[Newview01]

Originally Posted by rem338win

Oh my. You want everyone pushed through a single system and accuse others of siloing? And you advocate a dictatorship on education and subjugate parental rights to whom then?

The issue is your against everything different based on your definition. You want a homogenous product and refuse to except that as ignorant?

What are the necessities of youth? Who is defining that?

A person making these comments isn't someone who has experience on both sides and your expression supports that.

The public system does teach that there is only one way to make it. And many children are repressed or abandoned because of it.

A mild example: Child suicide and attempt rates are climbing even with all of the "education" they are giving them on it. Who is to blame for that? Well to start we may want to look at the system they participate in for at least 40hrs a week. It's too bad all of the socialization they receive there isn't helping either. I say that because the number one reason articulated is a lack of belonging and identity.

Weird coming from a system that claims to support diversity and works hard to develop homogeny.

Couldn't have said it better.

Child depression / suicide / etc rates are a great example. The socialism and mental illlness (gender/ sexual orientation issues) that are propagated is largely to blame.

[sjemac]

Originally Posted by TBD

Problem is ... as the quality of our education system erodes and educators attempt to expand their mandate to mask the problem - a growing number of parents have lost trust in the systems ability to give their kids the basis of knowledge they'll need to survive in this world.

It's these types of dedicated hardworking folks that are taking upon themselves to get the job done.

As we are seeing today, parents (Albertan's - Canadians - North Americans) are witnessing the destruction of their education system that in decades past had us the envy of the world.

TBD

PS ... me I don't blame them, better a kid knows the value of a hard days work and the comfort of a buck in his jeans ... then some liberal educrats take on the salient dtls of sex education, with (of course) the inclusion of the latest material in gay / transgender methods

I look a the raw data every day. The government or the Fraser Institute could easily collate it and examine the data as well. But they don't.

Why? It's all there for the studying.

Or they have and it doesn't fit their narrative.

[rem338win]

Originally Posted by sjemac

I'll back riden on the grade 9 experience. Just over half the homeschooling families in our area quit around grade 9 and then at least partially take advantage of the public system A lot of those do so because math has gotten too hard (or they haven't actually done any in the last 6 years). Several families have been forced to send their kids to public schools after it was discovered that they were doing their kids' work for them all those years (thankfully we have Diploma exams to keep them somewhat honest).

I remember one girl in particular whose parents would drop her off at the school 2 minutes before her math class and would be there again two minutes before it ended so that she could dash to the door and gain safety from the possibility of an unauthorized thought or idea.

Homeschooling truly works for a very small number of students and parents. It is not the panacea many think it is. More to the point, in Alberta, it has become an easily utilized refuge for bad and abusive parents to hide their children from any kind of socieatal scrutiny.

You live in a very small bubble of Alberta then. Within arms reach I know over a dozen public system facilitators and you can add more than double that in teachers that are part of the distance learning programs for more than just math as subjects that deal with hundreds of people involved in home schooling. These conversations are common and they all to a person say that their home schooling students and families are the most dedicated. In all of the conversations I've ever had the discussion of abusive or isolationist parents are described as the few and far between.

Your opinion is reflecting the opposite of panacea; your attitude is suggesting it's a loophole clause highly exploited by the malicious. I can tell you that it isn't with a very broad degree of examples and experiences.

For what it is worth I was highly successful in the public system both academically and in the other areas. I had to fight tooth and nail to be so against the rigorous and unrelenting manner that the system has decided things "must be done".

If the public system is your baby and that's how you want to do things far be it from me to stand in the way. But likewise for someone else to tell me otherwise as well.

[JonBoy]

Originally Posted by sjemac

I'll back riden on the grade 9 experience. Just over half the homeschooling families in our area quit around grade 9 and then at least partially take advantage of the public system A lot of those do so because math has gotten too hard (or they haven't actually done any in the last 6 years). Several families have been forced to send their kids to public schools after it was discovered that they were doing their kids' work for them all those years (thankfully we have Diploma exams to keep them somewhat honest).

I remember one girl in particular whose parents would drop her off at the school 2 minutes before her math class and would be there again two minutes before it ended so that she could dash to the door and gain safety from the possibility of an unauthorized thought or idea.

Homeschooling truly works for a very small number of students and parents. It is not the panacea many think it is. More to the point, in Alberta, it has become an easily utilized refuge for bad and abusive parents to hide their children from any kind of socieatal scrutiny.

Sounds like you have your own little world, then. All I can say is that, based on my experience in Edmonton, it isn't like that.

Homeschooling TRULY works for lots of people, as does public schooling. They both "produce" (allow?) failures as well. To paint either one with a wide brush is intellectually dishonest.

One thing homeschooling does allow, though, is CHOICE. Your right to choose how and what your child hears, learns and "has to accept" in public schools is rapidly diminishing.

[sns2]

Originally Posted by riden

I said Alberta stats.

We give parents autonomy here and there is very little accountability. Some provinces require home schoolers to work under a public schools supervision and make parents accountable for what they teach. We don't here. The result being, there really aren't accurate Alberta stats, since participation is voluntary.

Like I said, the graduation rate in Alberta is very low. But those parents aren't vocal, so we don't see it. We only see the success stories of the vocal
Parents.

Bingo! Give the man a prize!!

[Stonegoat]

My wife and I are looking at options for our 10 year old son. He is autistic but high functioning (formerly would have been considered Aspergers). He's really intelligent but suffers terrible anxiety at school. We are probably going to try a hybrid program of traditional schooling and home schooling. I am highly educated, but have no interest in teaching, so we will likely go the tutor route. Anyway, interesting thread.

[sns2]

Without doubt, there are tons of high achieving and well-rounded kids that are home schooled. Even more with "gaps" shall we say.

While some parents are able to take their kids all the way through, in my experience, a great deal encounter difficulty with parts of the high school curriculum.

[sns2]

Originally Posted by sjemac

I'll back riden on the grade 9 experience. Just over half the homeschooling families in our area quit around grade 9 and then at least partially take advantage of the public system A lot of those do so because math has gotten too hard (or they haven't actually done any in the last 6 years). Several families have been forced to send their kids to public schools after it was discovered that they were doing their kids' work for them all those years (thankfully we have Diploma exams to keep them somewhat honest).

I remember one girl in particular whose parents would drop her off at the school 2 minutes before her math class and would be there again two minutes before it ended so that she could dash to the door and gain safety from the possibility of an unauthorized thought or idea.

Homeschooling truly works for a very small number of students and parents. It is not the panacea many think it is. More to the point, in Alberta, it has become an easily utilized refuge for bad and abusive parents to hide their children from any kind of socieatal scrutiny.

Another statement that deserves a prize. God forbid that young people be exposed to people who see the world differently than their mommies and daddies do. Oh the horror that lurks in that evil curriculum!

[raab]

Originally Posted by JonBoy

Sounds like you have your own little world, then. All I can say is that, based on my experience in Edmonton, it isn't like that.

Homeschooling TRULY works for lots of people, as does public schooling. They both "produce" (allow?) failures as well. To paint either one with a wide brush is intellectually dishonest.

One thing homeschooling does allow, though, is CHOICE. Your right to choose how and what your child hears, learns and "has to accept" in public schools is rapidly diminishing.

Well said, if you believe in freedom you should believe in having a choice with regards to schooling.

Far to many people on even this board are alright oppressing others because what they believe is best, and anyone who disagrees is obviously wrong and needs government to help them make good decisions.

[TBD]

Originally Posted by raab

Far to many people on even this board are alright oppressing others because what they believe is best, and anyone who disagrees is obviously wrong and needs government to help them make good decisions.

the few on this thread demonizing home schoolers are the ones terrified most of their union losing it's monopoly on Alberta's Education industry.

once that is broken, the public system will fall like a house of cards.

with shrinking provincial budget injections (as tax dollars become diverted to competing charter / private schools) union wages and benefits become checked.

the politicization in albertas education industry (as we've been witnessing the last few decades) loses the usurped power gained under redford and Nutley as choice in the education system grows.

... and probably the most alarming to them --- the fear of losing their unsustainable entitlements ( pensions / retirement cash out options ect ect ) as the public purse becomes diverted, s-t-e-t-c-h-e-d funding competing education alternatives.


TBD


PS ... this isn't about choice for parents and their kids education - unfortunately !

... it's about a greedy - bloated - education bureaucracy ensuring it's monopoly !!

[sjemac]

Again I'll ask. The government can provide detailed data on graduation rates and diploma results broken down by public, separate, private, charter and second language schools -- as well as by division and institute.

Why can't they provide the same results for homeschooling versus bricks and mortar schools? Start asking to see the data on results AND how many attempts it takes to get the final results ultimately posted.

Make a choice. I'm not stopping anyone from doing so but make it an informed choice.

And those of you worried about your darlings being exposed to "bad" ideas -- shouldn't your influence as a parent outweigh that of strangers?

My kids get exposed to opinions and beliefs that I don't agree with all the time but I'm a strong enough parent to talk it through with them.

[Trochu]

Originally Posted by sjemac

Again I'll ask. The government can provide detailed data on graduation rates and diploma results broken down by public, separate, private, charter and second language schools -- as well as by division and institute.

Why can't they provide the same results for homeschooling versus bricks and mortar schools? Start asking to see the data on results AND how many attempts it takes to get the final results ultimately posted.

Make a choice. I'm not stopping anyone from doing so but make it an informed choice.

And those of you worried about your darlings being exposed to "bad" ideas -- shouldn't your influence as a parent outweigh that of strangers?

My kids get exposed to opinions and beliefs that I don't agree with all the time but I'm a strong enough parent to talk it through with them.

Classy, homeschoolers know have weak parents.

Lots of decisions go into homeschooling, deciding what value systems a parent wants to expose their children to is but one. Others include time spent with children, quality of education, quality/rating of public school they'd otherwise be enrolled in, freedom of schedule, distance to public school due to rural homes, etc.

Edited erroneous quotes.

[sjemac]

Originally Posted by Trochu

Classy, homeschoolers know have weak parents.

Lots of decisions go into homeschooling, deciding what value systems a parent wants to expose their children to is but one. Others include time spent with children, quality of education, quality/rating of public school they'd otherwise be enrolled in, freedom of schedule, distance to public school due to rural homes, etc.

Seeing you've stated that the "the graduation rate (for homeschooling) in Alberta is very low......" and that "..there really aren't accurate Alberta stats...." your bias is showing. Interesting that there aren't any accurate stats but you seem to know the graduation rate is low, you could probably make some money with a talent like that.

No, that's not what I said. I implied that homeschoolers who do so because they are afraid of the influence of different ideas must question their own influence on their children. Do not make a global statement where there is none.

All the other reasons you give are good ones given specific circumstances. Parents just need to make sure they are very thoughtful about why they want to do things and not simply apply a blanket mentality that is not good for their kid.

And I didn't say the last stuff in your post. Nor make those claims. And there are accurate stats, you just need to start asking for them.

[Trochu]

Originally Posted by sjemac

And I didn't say the last stuff in your post. Nor make those claims. And there are accurate stats, you just need to start asking for them.

I apologize, I had you confused with another member who did make those claims.

[JonBoy]

Originally Posted by sjemac

And those of you worried about your darlings being exposed to "bad" ideas -- shouldn't your influence as a parent outweigh that of strangers?

My kids get exposed to opinions and beliefs that I don't agree with all the time but I'm a strong enough parent to talk it through with them.

Because there are some things my kids don't need to see/hear/learn when the government thinks it's appropriate.

It's not about who's opinion will hold sway in their young minds. It's about what gets put in there in the first place. Once you hear/see things, you can't choose to forget it.

[sjemac]

Originally Posted by JonBoy

Because there are some things my kids don't need to see/hear/learn when the government thinks it's appropriate.

It's not about who's opinion will hold sway in their young minds. It's about what gets put in there in the first place. Once you hear/see things, you can't choose to forget it.

I'd be interested to hear what those with your mindset believe to be so subversive.

[rem338win]

I'm more interested in why anyone would think the gov needs to educate on anything beyond basic morality then? Like you said, that's a parent's job.

But the "we know better" failing education system you seem eager to protect takes opportunity to act in that role consistently.

Personally I find protecting my children's time and quality of education paramount in why I educate at home. To each their own.

[rugatika]

Originally Posted by sjemac

I'd be interested to hear what those with your mindset believe to be so subversive.

Take your pick.

http://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/w...-our-children/

[Newview01]

Originally Posted by rugatika

Take your pick.

http://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/w...-our-children/

That did not make my day better.

[pikergolf]

Originally Posted by rugatika

Take your pick.

http://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/w...-our-children/

In my opinion, most home schooling is done because of social engineering and nonessential teaching done in the public system. Parents want reading writing and arithmetic, without the values and morals of the public overseers. For this you cannot blame the parents. For the life of me I don't understand someone being completely OK with what is being taught in the public system. The gender issues alone will confuse and bewilder kids. How can a child feel secure when they are taught that nothing is as it appears to be. Mystifying. It is no wonder more and more gender issues are coming to our children. It is being taught and encouraged.

[Mistagin]

Been reading this thread with some interest as my daughter and son-in-law have opted for home schooling for their 3 kids, and she's doing a pretty good job of it - all year round (no summer or other breaks that give the kids half of the year 'off'). She mixes in lots of practical experience stuff, including plenty of all-season 'outdoors' skill development . She's got the kids involved in extra-curricular activities and things like raising chickens, and bee-keeping, and gardening. Grandpa is going to get involved in some of that - sailing, canoeing, kayaking, archery, handling firearms and shooting, tracking, wildlife ID, snowshoeing, etc, etc., etc.

Finally someone brought up that social engineering point, thanks Piker, I was waiting for that one to come out.

That's the # 1 reason my daughter and SIL made the decision to home school; too little real education in the basics and far too much social re-engineering and, as that McLean's article points out, "brainwashing" of the kids.

If we were to do it all over again today, and noting that we had our kids educated in public, charter, and 'private' schools, we'd likely seriously consider at least partial home schooling.

My best bud and his wife homeschooled all 8 of their kids right through high school. In part that was because of living rather remote for a lot of those years out in the BC bush (for his career). No way they wanted their kids on a school bus for several hours every day! All of his kids are doing very well, some have trade tickets, a couple operate their own businesses, and others have university / college degrees. They are all well-socialized due to efforts to make sure they had opportunity to do so - through church community, sports, home school networks and excursions, and encouragement to get into community and neighbourhood volunteerism as they got older. I would characterize them all as exemplary citizens of their communities.

Nothing wrong with any of that!