Quote From: aureilleI think it is rather distressing the extremeness that is implied in the show for Nov. 24th. I can imagine that there are many homeschool families that do not do their jobs in the way of educating their children. But I believe that the ration of those families to those who actually do teach their children is probably no different as compared to the same children that attend public or private schools.
I can assure you that a homeschooling family who are doing what they are supposed to be doing (even in the case of unschooling) have not choosen the lazy way out. Teaching is a full time job, no matter who is doing it. Now try to teach two or more curriculums/unit studies/or be organized enough to teach your multiple children's spontinaity of interests and you will find you have little time to clean, shop, or even get your hair cut.
I also believed (before deciding to homeschool) that every school, teacher, or school administrator and the parents were the key to a child's education. If a child had active parents and teachers, then the child would learn. There was no such thing as a bad school. I believed this until we moved to our new location. Teachers on EVERY level would not talk with me, answer notes or return phone calls. The principal told me she did not deal with certain grade levels. NO ONE attended my preschooler's IEP meeting that was scheduled at the school staff's confinence. My children told me that teachers tore up art projects, screamed at children, and there were fights daily. Perhaps they over exaggerating? I have no idea, I couldn't get ANYONE at the school to respond.
So I pulled them from the school. I attempted to wait for the school to notice my children were not attending. Worried about getting a truancy report, I called the school after 4 days to inform them I was applying to the state to do a homestudy program. They asked me if I was coming in early to pick them up and take them home early for the day???
Yes on most levels in this country, our children are blessed with the free education they recieve. But I too am blessed with having a strong desire to learn and an even stronger desire to give my children the best. NO ONE will ever convince me that the public school district where we currently live is the best learning environment for my children.
Do I believe that all public schools fall into this catagory? NO I have members within my family and friends whom are educators. I have adored some of my children's teachers in the past. Some have truely helped my children overcome some personal issues. But on the other hand, I am very glad I have the option to bring my children home.
I truely believe that this show will do a great disservice to the many people in this country who not only have serious reasons to decide to homeschool, but who are doing great jobs at it.
While I was a teacher, I heard about middle-school math teachers who were teaching math incorrectly. They were teaching fractions and percents INCORRECTLY, and teaching their students how to get the wrong answers. Believe me, it can get even worse, if you can believe it.
Parents want the best for their children, but what’s the best way to educate them? Dr. Phil’s guests face off in a debate about whether to school, homeschool or unschool. Dana and her husband, Joe, call themselves radical unschoolers. They say education happens as a side effect of life, and they don’t believe in tests, curriculums or grades. Are their three kids learning what they need to know? Then, RaeAnn says public schools are death traps and wants to homeschool her children. Her husband, Steve, says their kids are safer at school than they are at home. Can this couple reach a compromise? Plus, Nicole feels like an outcast at 26. She says she hated being homeschooled, and couldn’t relate to other kids. Share your thoughts here.
