Topic : 11/24 Great School Debate

I am very upset with the view of homeschooling that I just heard on the show. I was in a private school from Kindergarten until 10th grade. Then in 11th grade I was homeschooled. I currently have a little brother who is homeschooled. My daughter is the same grade as my little brother. She goes to a private school. My little brother has tested higher every year on his state testing than my daughter. I personally would homeschool however it is impossible for my family situation of other children and both parents needing to work.

As far as the question DR PHIL asked on how the kids that are homeschool would fair on SAT test, they fair great! I tested out of many of my college classes. My sister went to college a year early and graduated at the top of her class. She is now a public school teacher who sends her child to a private school. Do to the fact she feels that as a teacher she is held back from giving her class kids all they need to learn due to the budget. It all has to do with the dedication of the parent to teach their children. I do not agree with the NO Schooling method. I believe that children should learn all of the curriculam that is available out there. With homeschooling the children are not held back by other students in a class who don't care if they learn or not. They learn it and go on and so in reality they learn more.

As far as the study on developmental deficits in homeschooling children. I would like to see it. I for one went to homecoming and prom. I even played volleyball at my local high school and was a member of FCA. I am pictured in the schools yearbook. Some school districts allow children who are homeschooled to participate in extra curricular activities. As in the state of Ohio. I have known homeschoolers who have played varsity football, tennis, golf, and baseball for the local highschool. It takes the parent to be make the initiative to get their kids involved.

I went on to be a very successful in college. I was a cheerleader for the women's basketball team, I was the team manager for the men's basketball team, I was the president of FCA and a member of Rotaract club. After college I went to work for the Salvation Army and worked with battered women. I also have been the director of several nursing homes Alzheimer's programs. I currently own my own consulting business and I am nationally certified in my field.

So the bottom line is, KIDS can thrive and learn more in the homeschooling environment if their parents are dedicated to giving them a well rounded environment. Its not all like the picture that was painted on the show.

Each state has its own regulations, but one way or another it is legal. 

I don't think any states require a masters degree and certainly not a PhD for teaching beyond 6th grade. 

Personally, I'm not convinced that my PhD aids my ability as a parent, but it certainly seems to be something non-homeschoolers focus on when giving their approval of my choice to unschool.

I have four public teachers in my family and four friends who are teachers in the public system. I gather information from them all the time about what is up and coming in the system and new methods, and such. One of the teachers actually homeschooled her boys when they were young, and she just went back to teaching again. She has said that she wishes she had taught them right through high school because of the things she sees and hears daily in the halls of the school.

The fact that you say our children should receive the "same education" is problematic to me. I remember being able to choose, once in 9th grade, which courses I wanted to take and whether or not they were college prep or vocational classes.  I wouldn't want a child who wants to become an art teacher or the like to have to concentrate alot of energy on calculus and physics if that is not what their chosen vocation is going to lead.  I think they should have a choice once they are old enough because if I remember right, most of us did.

Dear Dr, Phil,

I am a Grandma and have raised 4 children (all went to public schools) and have 6 grandchildren.  I have volunteered in our schools for my children and my grandchildren.  I am for Christian Schooling and Home Schooling.  Why?  Because of the prejudice that is in our small town schools from grade school to the High School.  I know of a 1st grader who is not getting an education.  The teacher said she should be labled ADD and given medication.  She is tutored 1/2 hour and is at a child care provider.  My grandson was in the same school and his teacher said his Mother should get him medication.  Talk to the Dr. and get him to say he is ADD  (Iam not sure of the abreviation) so he can get medication.  Oh, the teacher said he was disruptive to the class during tests because he taps his pencil on the desk during tests.  I also believe the high school is to graphic on subjects pertaining to sex education.  You can not go in the schools and visit anytime because of security reasons.  This takes a lot of surprise of showing up.  This way the teachers are alerted and schedule subjects appropriately.

Thank you for your concern.  A concerned Grandma.

So, humor me, how is that a parent who "un-schools" their children truly think that they are doing what is best for them? The problem is that they are doing what they "think" they should do to help the child become well-rounded. Are they educated teachers or educated at all – maybe, if their kids are lucky. Chances are, probably not. It sounds to me like a pathetic attempt to either protect them from like or some self-serving mission to keep them under their thumb.

Personally, I would want my children to learn a wide variety of ideas, concepts, etc. and to do it in a structured forum with certified, fully educated teachers who teach as a profession. Yeah, call me crazy, but I’d actually want them to have the best chance at succeeding in their education!

How can parents truly think that they can offer a child what a teacher can? Education is not a hobby you can just “pick-up” as you go. This idea is simply as preposterous as the entire concept of "un-schooling" is. Then again, they are your kids so – “good luck with that” and how they turn out.

Michelle

When I was in elementy school, I had to make the decision to go on to sixth grade, or stay back in 5th grade. I held myself back deciding that it would be better for me to learn than move on. I never was able to have full consintration during school, the reason for this is for 21 years I had consistant nocternal seizures. These seizures stiped me of the energy needed for school, but my parents kept me in the public scholl system for most of my education.

When I heard Nicole make her comments I completly agreed.  After graduating from high school in 1997 I wanted to move on to college, but that just was not to be. I was set on going to college that it became a emotional problem, I ended up having an emotional break down because I was not in school. The break down lasted five years off and on untill I was excepted by Wright State University in 2002. I have always been a part time student at Wright State, I had to go through two years of relearning lower level education to prepare me for college level classes. I got the grade this week that sent me into the junior class.

I think that the parents that are for no school do not think about their children getting in to college, college is a great experience and helps you gain your independence. At 28 years of age I still have to live woih my parents, and I would be alot less happy in life if I was not able to go to college.

I do agree with Dr. Phil that there is no problem with home school up untill junior high, but home school through high school is a risk in my mind.

Come on now, if you are not happy with your public school system, the easy way out is to avoid it. The more challenging approach would be to actually speak up and get involved with the school system through programs etc. Now, now, that would require work and effort. Most people opt for the easy way out. Avoidance.