Homeschooling

Luck isn't necessary but thanks anyway. Before we begin I would just like to touch on the sources you used....You do realize that wikipedia is able to be edited by anyone correct? A biased, faulty, ill-researched opinion with little credibility. Also mommy blogs probably aren't the best resource because they tend to be a bit biased and one sided. Now to begin...you have stated that you believe our end of course testing is optional? It's not. North Carolina Department of Non-Public Education has a standard that must be met every year and is not optional. Just because homeschool students have flexibility during the school year does not mean that they are exempt from accountability and actual learning. Our EOC testing is actually even more specific than that of public school testing. It not only shows if you passed or failed but gives you a detailed report of not only how you did in each subject but breaks it down into sub-subjects and allows you to see where you fall grade-wise. These tests are given in groups and online. The scores are private and are sent to the department for review and credibility. You have argued that homeschool educated children are "tutored" rather than actual classroom time correct? If you had bothered to research farther than surface deep you would have discovered that the majority of homeschool student take classes. Often modeled like a college class they attend once or twice a week and are given a syllabus to complete for the rest of the week. Instead of tutoring we are more on our own than public school kids because we only see our teachers once or twice a week. A quick side note, you had also stated the phrase "teachers doing their legally appointed job correctly" as if the word "legal" had merit. The fact that the government had control over it makes it all that much more susceptible to corruption and lethargy. I do agree that part of my argument is subjective and judgmental; forgive me for allowing three different public school experiences cloud my judgement. But is it not a double standard? Society groups homeschool students into one massive group of uneducated, brainwashed, socially awkward, religious freaks who cannot fit into modern day society-which is insanely wrong and prejudice. For every socially awkward homeschooler there is a drug addicted public schooler-every situation has its outcasts but the majority shouldn't be judged because of one rotten apple. As for the "socialization" aspect you didn't do much past surface research did you? Homeschool students have a greater opportunity to socialize than public schoolers do. You spend 8-10 hours per day sitting in a classroom while we finish earlier and are out in society socializing. If you had looked at any new (and CREDIBLE) research you would have seen that homeschoolers have whole organizations devoted to the developing of sports teams, community services, proms, clubs, and other extracurricular activities. Knowing the standard of propriety you are held to and actually doing it is much better than the type of socialization that goes on within the classroom, on the bus, at parties, or any of their other...."extra curricular" activities. Your ideology aspect is flawed; you claim that "public schools teach facts and only facts" but in reality any teacher is susceptible to allowing their beliefs and view points to influence their teaching. (You might argue that it's the teacher's fault and that i must have had a teacher who did not handle themselves professionally. But when these example are coming from multiple kids, in multiple schools, in multiple districts, I think one should step back and consider all the facts) A homeschool parent wants their child to exceed in their schooling (that's usually the main reason they are homeschooled) that would make no sense to teach them something random and incorrect. These test are not voluntary. They are required by every state department of non-public education in the U.S. We have a standard we are held to-we just can't help it if we exceed that standard. What you do not see (which I won't fault you because you have never experienced a non-public education) is that you are being taught a certain way whether you realize it or not. Who sets up the standards you are taught to? Who provides your books? Who provides your school? Who pays your teachers? You are taught what they want you to believe. The difference between homeschool students and you is that we have simply decided to think for ourselves. Your education should be an awesome, and amazing experience. You should crave knowledge about your world. Intrigued to learn about the minute details; that's why education, a good education, is wholesome and not just informative-because it is a passionate discovery and appreciation for life.