Quote From: julie1418We are going to have to agree to disagree as to the tone of your responses - I don't need an entire recap.
As far as your questions to me. My children are 3 and 2, so it's a bit early to say. I think I most likely want a combination of ways to determine if my children are learning adequately. I don't think standardized tests are the be all and end all, but I'm not sure I trust simple observation - even my own observation.
You seem to think that a person of age 18 has mastered every subject and stands on the precipice of life, 100% prepared to step forward and meet any goal they set.
I have no idea where you got that impression. I remember being 18 although it was quite some time ago. It is simply the age where most students are getting ready for college. I DO want to know that when my children are of college age, they will be able to pass the exams needed and succeed in college level courses. I agree that people can start college at any age, but I don't want my kids financially dependent on me when they are 35!
To me, a college degree in accounting is useless if you want to work in the theater designing sets.
You are going to have to explain that one. My accountant will disagree!
I too want to make sure my kids get
into college. I, as a home schooler, felt we should call all colleges
in the area to find out what they wanted on a transcript when my
child was in 8th grade. My oldest wants to get into Chemistry so, we
not only tailored her educational high school plan around college; we
added an advanced Chemistry class to her 12th grade class schedule.
One of the college admissions advisors even told me when my child
should take the PSAT, SAT, and ACT; we plan to take all three.
The
bottom line is, I want the best for my kid.....it's MY responsibility
to make she they get the best education so they can be whatever they
want (college or no college). I just can't, even as a traditional
home schooler, grasp how to do that by unschooling them. Even the
word means to "not school"...I am sorry....I just don't
understand.
Here is what I did find when searching
for “unschooling”:
Unschooling contrasts with
homeschooling in that the student's education is not directed by a
teacher and curriculum. Although an unschooling student may choose to
make use of teachers or curricula, s/he is ultimately in control of
his/her own education. The student chooses how, when, why, and what
s/he learns. Parents who unschool their children act as
"facilitators" and provide a wide range of resources,
instruction and support. Unschooling begins with a child's natural
curiosity and expands from there, as an extension of his/her own
personal interests and needs.
I just hope this means that the parents
also provide some educational guidance when the child is steering
themselves off track. I feel most kids need a ton educational
guidance it at any age.
