Topic : 11/24 Great School Debate

I guess I misunderstood.  I got the impression that you thought homeschoolers should be regulated.  Here, you are using the word "restricted".  I don't understand that either.

I cannot find the original post but this is what went through my mind as I read it.  I may not have been yours, I don't know, but several posts indicated that the government should have some control over our homeschooling.

In a perfect world, parents could be regulated to determine if they are fit to be parents, further, the government could restrict some people from becoming parents.  That would be a perfect world, but then our right to freedom would be in jeopardy.  It's the same with government control over homeschooling.  They cannot control a pediphile in charge of a third grade classroom.  They cannot control parents who don't parent.  They should not be allowed to try and control the parents, the curriculum, the method or anything else in a homeschool.  They have enough to deal with in their own school rooms!

I had to reply to this even though it seems to be between two young teenagers. 

First, It is good that you have a small group of freinds, everyone should have that.  You can have that, and still have many other freinds over and above the close ones.

Also, you said, it is cruel forcing children to be with people they don't like everyday!

This will someday happen to you, when you are older.  You will most likely meet and probably have to deal with, individuals you really are not fond of.  So, when this happens in your teenage years it is a little easier to make adjustments and know how to handle those situations.  Especially when I guess your doing it on " a regular everyday basis"

Also, I wanted to know what "unpleasant things lurk in the hallways of public school?

Yes I believe homeschooling should NOT be an option.  I have posted several reasons on this message board why.  Mainly, in the broader spectrum of things.  Effects on communities and society as awhole.

Perhaps you should consider Germany. They recently decided to send homeschool families to public school by force. Has it occurred to you that the government was created to serve the people? The people do not serve the government. By the way, it was Hitler who declared homeschooling to be illegal, way back when. Why do you think he did that?

This is a very slippery slope. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in California declared about a year ago:

* parents "have no due process or privacy right to override the determinations of public schools as to the information to which their children will be exposed while enrolled as students."

Are you comfortable with that? Are you comfortable with the government (through public schooling) exposing your children to anything they deem fit with no recourse as a parent?

As for now there are permission slips parents can sign for their children to receive controversial lessons. But, the way things are moving these permission slips will no longer be required. The court has declared you have no right to override the public school. What's worse is there are people, such as yourself, who believe all children should attend public school. Reminds me a bit of dictatorship. I just can't imagine anyone being okay with this.

As for you assuming all homeschoolers are abusive to their children based on four accounts:

Let's say, for the sake of argument, that over one million people per day buy lengths of chain. Let's also say that there have been 4 cases of people doing horrible things, using the chain, causing the death of their children.

Should we now make it illegal to buy chain??

IMO, it is a cultural problem, We, as a society, do NOT value education the way that other countries do. If you look at the comparisons to countries like Japan, we simply do not have a cultural reverence for education like they do. My husband lived in Europe for many years, primarily Holland and Belgium, the value of being an educated human being is simply higher. I am not simply referring to the schools, but how the citizens live their lives and pursue interests. I can't say for sure, but I am guessing you won't find many "My Kid Beat Up Your Honor Student" bumper stickers in most other countries. It really comes down to our values.

Furthermore, I think much of the money we spend on education has more to do with fixing societal problems than the process of educating. Drug education, character education, self-esteem programs. Schools have become the fix it place, not very successfully, for problems that originated elsewhere.

It's been implied on these boards (among other things) that PS children are exceptionally wild and rowdy using foul language daily and participating in other such delinquent things- drugs, sex, ditching.  I admit this is probably true and it's great that HS/US have pulled their children if this is the kind of neighborhood they live in- I hope they have moved as well.  I know I would.  Also, just a reminder that these type of things will never happen at the college level because University students are known for practing self-discpline and control- especially those who have never seen it before.  And I'm sure that a 15-16 year old, although brilliant, will make good choices in the face of any indiscretion.   Ask me, I'll tell you how a sheltered child handles those things. 

Anyhow, sarcasm aside, my 8 year old who attends public school just had a really eye-opening experience I wanted to share.  It not only made me and my husband have chills, it reinforced that teaching can and does happen at home and it sticks no matter what the environment.

You see, we are a Christian family and very strong in our faith.  Unshakable, really.  My son's classmate was showing him a stocking her late Grandma had made for her.  She then mentioned her Grandma was now "dead".  My son, shocked at the use of this word (we say passed away or passed on) managed to fellowship with another student and explained to her that her Grandma was still "alive as a soul".    This was an effort on my son's part to comfort and console his classmate.  The other student tried and so did my son to explain this to her but she was still upset and confused.  She ended up believing they were making fun of her Grandma and told on them.  My son and classmate were confused.    My husband and I explained to my son how to handle this situation differently in the future and all was well.  Should I pull my son?  NO WAY!  As Christians, the oppurtunity to fellowship and preach the Gospel can be anywhere and we were on our knees that night thanking God for showing us this through our children.  This type of experience only reinforces our choice for OUR public school.  True faith can withstand anything, anywhere.  Just thought I'd share what our PS experience is like. 

If I may jump into this conversation. :)

Also, you said, it is cruel forcing children to be with people they don't like everyday!

This will someday happen to you, when you are older.  You will most likely meet and probably have to deal with, individuals you really are not fond of.  So, when this happens in your teenage years it is a little easier to make adjustments and know how to handle those situations.  Especially when I guess your doing it on " a regular everyday basis"

There are many, myself included, who believe that as an adult we are better suited to deal with situations like peer pressure, bullies, etc...

I've often wondered at the statement, "Children need to be bullied so they can learn how to deal with it." It really makes no sense to me.

Perhaps adults should travel to the bad part of town to learn how to defend ourselves?

By the sounds of your statement you only want the government to serve you, when it is appropriate or comfortable for your needs and wants. 

The government is "FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE......" not just for "you" or for "me" 

Also, It really is no place for "Hitler" to be mentioned!!   

As a parent of three teenage girls in the public school system I feel I have complete control over what my children are learning.  I have been in the school many times, fighting for what I feel is wrong and also what is right.  I have changed some teachers, gone to superintendents, spoke at board meetings, got petitions signed.  Whatever I have done, In my heart I beleive, It has helped many, many other individuals, not just my own children.     It is not a "dictatorship" , you obviously, have never really had hands on experience with the whole "public school" issue

As far as the assumption of "all homeschoolers being abusive"  I NEVER SAID THAT!!   I was simply stating the facts from a CBS news report!!!