Topic : 11/24 Great School Debate

Different strokes for different folks. What's good for the goose is not necessarily good for the gander. I didn't send my children to "prep school". No need to. There were private schools and public schools to chose from all around my community.

I know of a 16 year old who attended a prestigious prep school. He "earned" his way on a basketball scholarship.

So, what's your point? How do you know public school was not good enough for Dr. Phil and Robin's children? Are you comparing your children to that of someone else's? So, is that how you reached your decision to home-school your children?

I do not think that home schooling is for everyone nor do I believe that public schooling is either.  I think parents have a responsibility to do what will best benefit their child.  I have one child in public school and one that I home school.  While one does extremely well in the public school, the other does not.  I don't think it's fair to put all people in one box and say that is what's best for one is best for all.  It doesn't work that way anywhere else in the 'real' world. 

For those who have ailments - do they all take the same medication?  No, it depends on what ails them!  Does everyone take something for an ailment??  Not if they don't have an ailment!  Not everyone has the same learning style, abilities or disabilities.  You can't put all people in one room and teach them all the same way and expect them ALL to 'get it'.  Put all those alike (same learning styles, abilities and interests) in one room and teach them and they'll comprehend.  I'd like to see THAT happen in the public school system! 

And some parents don't have a choice but to send their child(ren) to public school.

I don't think anyone can tell anyone else what's best for the other's child and it be taken seriously.  This debate will never be resolved until we learn to accept each other's differences and accept that not everyone fits the same mold.

I have never heard, "Bullies need to go to school so they can learn to deal with people who have had steady models of appropriate human behaviour to learn from them."  No, it's always the other way around.

Exactly!

You say: "the fact that you demand I not call "sin" "sin" infringes on my beliefs."

If that was my demand, it would infringe on your beliefs.  But that is not what I demand. 

You can call anything you like "sin" & I couldn't care less.  If you did it over a loudspeaker at 3 AM while I was trying to sleep I would object.  Otherwise, your beliefs are your business and of no moment to me.

I object  to the public schools calling certain behavior a "sin" in keeping with your religious beliefs.  This is a country where religion is private and the precepts of your religion, my religion, the branch davidians, the cool-aid gang or any other religions are not supposed to be part of any governmental program.

Why don't you respond to the facts asserted instead of to the agenda that exists only in your own mind?

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?

As adults, we have recourse against bullies.

If we're beat up, it's considered assault and battery, and the perp is arrested.

If our lunch money is stolen, it is theft and the perp is arrested.

If our reputation is smeared and we're called foul names, it's slander (or libel if printed) and we have recourse.

If we take a job with an obnoxious coworker who the boss won't reprimand, we can switch jobs if necessary.  Not the easiest or most convenient option, but an option, nonetheless.

Kids in schools are told to suck it up and take it, and bully punishment (in a lot of cases) is a joke.  Nobody should have to take what bullies dish out.  Especially kids who are the most ill-equipped to handle it.

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. 

Hmmm, I'm not sure how you arrived to that conclusion. I said, "Has it occurred to you that the government was created to serve the people? The people do not serve the government. "

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

Why? Your stand is that "homeschooling should NOT be an option". I pointed out to you the current situation in Germany. This situation is a direct result of Hitler's decision that "homeschooling should not be an option". I am sorry you do not think this is the place for a Hitler discussion. But, it is a fair point that I made.

By the way, why do you think Hitler made that decision?

I feel I have complete control over what my children are learning.

Yes, I agree. You likely do have control over what your children are learning, as for now. I made no claim that you do not have that control. Read my statement again. I said, "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. "

You never did answer those questions.

It is not a "dictatorship" , you obviously, have never really had hands on experience with the whole "public school" issue.

Yes it is like a dictatorship!

1. You position is that homeschooling should not be allowed.

2. The courts have ruled parents have no right to overrule the decisions of the public school.

If you MAKE people come to your location and then you MAKE them learn your lessons you are acting as a dictator.

What do you mean when you say, "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!!! 

I'm sorry I misunderstood your stand on this issue.  I thought you were using it to paint a picture of homeschoolers being abusive. Sorry if that was not your intent.  What was your intent?