Message Boards

Home

Message Boards

Topic : 11/24 Great School Debate

Number of Replies: 4215

New Messages This Week: 0

Last Reply On:

Created on : Friday, November 17, 2006, 12:57:50 pm

Author : DrPhilBoard1

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.

Find out what happened on the show.

More November 2006 Show Boards.

As of January, 2009, this message board will become "Read Only" and will be closed to further posting. Please join the NEW Dr. Phil Community to continue your discussions, personalize your message board experience, start a blog and meet new friends.

( Subscribe to this Topic )

pietva

User Mood
Happy

Message Emote

November 24, 2006, 6:17 pm PST

11/24 Great School Debate

Quote From: winterwarmth

Well, rolling one's eyes at a parent who is coming to the principal's office IS "vicious" in my opinion. (and I overheard some of the things she was complaining about! Should such an atmosphere be in the home, at the very least the child would be ripped from the home!) Not getting taken seriously on an issue which affects a child's well-being in a place they are going to spend 35 hours a week is kind of vicious, non? Especially when they are told "any problems you report it to the principal."

Which is it? We get told that schools have "zero tolerance", but when parents seek to have that zero tolerance enforced the reality is they find out precisely HOW many children are being treated badly. So is it "zero tolerance" or not? It seems to me like it's 50% tolerance.

You say "Situations must be followed up", but that is what parents are DOING in the principal's office, checking up on progress on the situation, spelling out their child's needs, AND yes, volunteering at the school too! Also, some parents have more than one child, so going into the classroom when they also have other children to care for is not always a realistic availability.

I make no apologies for being the squeaky wheel and pro-active parent I was TOLD I "should be". I make no apologies for feeling sorry for the parents who went to the principal and asked them to ensure the teachers did their job and got nothing but an eyeroll.

Yes, getting an eyeroll when schools, (and people on this board!) insist that "complaints get taken seriously) is hypocritical and unhelpful of parents who insist that their children's learning environment be a viable one.

2 kids? so, alternate, or go to the class that needs it. There's always gym, when you don't need to do anything, or art, or whatever. GO ABOVE THEIR HEADS. To do otherwise is irresponsible, and a disservice to the bullies, as well! Even when your son stays tied to your apron strings afely at home.

Read Replies to this Message

sneakers145

User Mood
Happy

Message Emote

November 24, 2006, 6:17 pm PST

11/24 Great School Debate

Quote From: kevphill

If they are unschooled will they have an undiploma and an unjob or will the just be unemployed?

Go to Amazon.com and look up Un-Jobbing -- Adult Liberation Handbook. And no, my kids won't be unemployed, but they'll more likely be self-employed than traditionally employed.

Oh, and they'll be drinking un-cola, too.

Read Replies to this Message

mouse22

User Mood
Good

Message Emote

November 24, 2006, 6:18 pm PST

not bashing- it's OK, just be aware of potential problems

Quote From: debby39

I think the smartest thing you said is that it is no ones place to say that homeschooling is, or is not, right for each person, but you sure did bash homeschooling. When you wrote about bullies and having to deal with them when you get older, I think you are terribly misinformed as to what bullies do in public schools. You were not there. Bullies had my son so miserable that he no longer wanted to live. He wrote me notes everyday of how much he hated school. After trying to resolve these issues at the school level, he is now homeschooled. He is happy again. I rather have a happy child that will miss the inappropriate social skills that the public school offers than have a miserable child. And, just a note, I never saw an adult pick on someone else the way that kids pick on their peers.

Hi, never meant to bash anything or anyone. Even said in my OP that I think it's great if homeschooling can be a lifesaver for kids who have had bad experiences, because I know it IS a lifesaver often. But I just want to point out that it is not a perfect, panacea-like solution, and there are problems and potential problems that people need to be aware of before making the decision to homeschool.

Read Replies to this Message

joannuzz

User Mood
Stressed

Message Emote

November 24, 2006, 6:18 pm PST

11/24 Great School Debate

Quote From: tracypa

For all those who say the they must home school their children are you smart enough to teach them what it takes 60+ teachers in 13 years of schooling to teach them. These are people who have 4 to 8 years of college above a high school education. I have been around home school children I have a brother in law who is home school his children and I can see the social skills that his kids are lacking. These children must be able to take directions from someone other than mom and dad. Their oldest has no respect for adults and is going to be out in the world in just 6 months. He is not ready for college or getting a job. Yes, they have home school group that they go to plus the church. but it still is not enough in today world.

One questions are you able to teach them to they can earn enough to support a family in the future? Are they going to be able to handle being around other people for 8 to 12 hours a day and do a job effectly and not lose it because of being out in all of the goinging on of the world and not lose it. For most home schooler life is very easy and quite but that is not the way of the world. The world going very fast and very loud.

As for the no schoolers HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND!! END OF SUBJECT!!!

FEAR---IS NO REASON TO HOME SCHOOL. YOUR FEAR THAT THE CHILDREN WILL BE HARMED WHILE IN SCHOOL IS NO REASON TO HOME SCHOOL. All that will do to your children is they will grow up in fear that something will happen to them. Do not do this to them.

The shooting at the Amish school house in PA is not a good example to use. You must understand the live of the Amish That school house had no protection from just anyone walking in no phone. or locked doors. Most public school have cameras and locked doors when school is in. I live in PA and not far for that school and it has not changed any thing in the public school here because of the school system safety nets.

I have been around home school children I have a brother in law who is home school his children and I can see the social skills that his kids are lacking.

Who taught you? Another wonderful product of the public.

Read Replies to this Message

janiesmith

User Mood
Happy

Message Emote

November 24, 2006, 6:18 pm PST

11/24 Great School Debate

Quote From: princess1

I was unable to see the show today because there was a football game on our local station. I will tell you it was teachers like you who convinced me of the need to homeschool my son. "They need to be denied their needs sometimes"? What kind of monster would deny the needs of their child? Their wants, yes, but a parents first responsibility is to make sure their childs needs are met. My homeschooled son has learned quite nicely how to "survive without mom", as was evident when he spent 10 days in South America last December. I will agree with you that children should not be automatically given the same respect as adults. Respect is something that is earned not just given away. You may have had homeschoolers who had problems with crossover, but how much of it was due to your bias of homeschooling families? Most "professional educators" have a chip on their shoulders about homeschooling. When we choose to homeschool it is because we feel it is in our children's best interest, not because we don't think you are capable. As far as your opinion that homeschoolers won't be able to function in the "real world" when my son graduated high school at 16 and took his college entrance exams he scored quite high, and he will be graduation college with a degree, so you don't have to worry about him being a "welfare recipient with a sence of entitlement". I have, however seen that attitude from many of my son's friends who are still in the public school system just being passed along because teachers don't want to "damage their self esteem" by holding them back.

When you say most professional educators have a chip on their shoulders about homeschooling I have to laugh a little because where I am from most professional educators homeschool!!

Read Replies to this Message

rs8180

User Mood
Happy

Message Emote
confused

November 24, 2006, 6:19 pm PST

Go Volunteer

Quote From: rs8180

That you for pointing out my error but what have you done? I didn't just watch... I taught and worked! For 4 years. As a volunteer. I really wanted to just help. But found out otherwise.

If everyone on this board would go and volunteer at the nearest public school it would help! They need your help not defense. They are smothered! Please! Go and SET just one day. I would just love it if my son could go like I did. But we (my son and I) HAVE TO HOMESCHOOL.

Read Replies to this Message

mhstirrup

User Mood
Happy

Message Emote

November 24, 2006, 6:19 pm PST

I think we all have to open our minds

Hello everyone,

I am a father of two children who are in public schools. After watching this show, I have to say that I have learned something new. I do believe in the public school system and that it helps children socailize, however what bothers me is how everyone feels that there way is the best way for everyone. This "One size fits all" approch to education is what I find is the problem. I do feel that there are children who need public school education due to its structure and socal programs. However, I do think that there are some children who may do better in a home schooled enviorment. I do believe children need to be educated but not all in the same way. Finaly, the best thing that I got out of this is parents concerns about thier childs saftey and education quality. This should be a wake up call for public school officals everywhere. It seems that if they can't protect and properly educate our children, some parents will take action and attempt to do it themselves. I think that we need to make sure that our local and national governments hear this and take this into accounts as well as we use our voting power to express our displeasure.

Read Replies to this Message

janiesmith

User Mood
Happy

Message Emote

November 24, 2006, 6:20 pm PST

11/24 Great School Debate

Quote From: kevphill

If they are unschooled will they have an undiploma and an unjob or will the just be unemployed?

I think I have determined from reading the posts they are mostly being undermined!

Read Replies to this Message

rs8180

User Mood
Happy

Message Emote

November 24, 2006, 6:21 pm PST

11/24 Great School Debate

Quote From: pietva

You don't like the schools, but wouldn't you consider working to improve them, with all that time you have on your hands?

That was a sad reply. I home school too. Our country needs help.

Read Replies to this Message

asentope

User Mood
Mellow

Message Emote

November 24, 2006, 6:22 pm PST

11/24 Great School Debate

Quote From: pietva

You can't change reality if you refuse to see it, or try to live in a cave.

How do you suggest changing it, then? Continuing to conform to the roles it assigns to us?

Read Replies to this Message

First | Prev | 123 | 124 | 125 | 126 | 127 | 128 | 129 | 130 | 131 | 132 | Next | Last

Recent Shows: Dr. Phil Family Returns: ... | Cut the Cord | "Will My Mother-in-Law De... | Shocking School Sex Abuse... | P.I. Moms: The Truth Behi...