Replies to '11/24 Great School Debate'

At least those parents tried to home school and were smart enough to send them back to Public School when they realized they could not do it. Look, I understand your point....I do but, I do not think we can for sure say most kids fall through the cracks in home school since we both don't know all of them to say that. I do know that some do/might in home schooling just as in public school (my autistic child did and I saved her from it). I know that you have only had a few experiences with home schoolers but ...here are many more right here. I wish and hope all parents feel as I do that education, be it at home or in public school, is a VERY important part of a child's survival chances in life; you can never loose with it.

Secondly, if most kids fell through the cracks...none of these kids would be in college or have a job. My 9th grader is already looking into going to one of the three 2-4+ year colleges in our town. One of these colleges that has been around since the 1800's has a Dean who home schooled 4 out of 5 of his kids. They all graduated college and, now, the Dean accepts home schoolers with open arms. The point is..you have to have home schooled, like the Dean, to fully understand. My children have been in Public school most of their life so, I know how it is from both ends. Heck, I was public schooled.

I chose to home school because my child was not getting the special education help she needed [for Autism and other learning issues] in my area and I had no choice. It was either that or watch her fail or be failed. And, since I was home schooling one; I just did both my children (12 and 14). My child's grades got better with the one-on-one help I gave her and BEGGED the schools to give her.  She now has her own "IEP" with no timed tests, private reading areas for no distractions, one-on-one help (except with tests), and she and her sister still get to be in church, 4H, art classes, and Girl Scouts so they can be with their friends and make more.

I am not sure about other home schoolers but, I do know I have faith in my ability and I hold myself accountable for their success. Maybe it's because I am still working to finish my degree as well and understand the importance of an education. I see my two kids with such big brains and potential to be anything, that I could NEVER do them a disservice by NOT teaching them properly.
 

Bottom line, I understand your consern and think the only way to keep your consern from happening is to be a support to the home schooler.....even offering help if they need it. There are support groups out ther that I wish all home schoolers could take advantage of. It's not hard to do...I even made a website to help others. The more we put them down; the more they will not ask for advice or help for fear of what is happening right here on these boards. That's sad. Teachers and parents alike should all be heald accountable for thier kids education. Let's not just leave this up to the government to raise or kids...home schooled or not.