Homeschooling

1. "I just don't think it's an effective one, ok? I don't see how young people of this generation really hold on to all the information that is given to them through academic lesson plans because the average age of students who are being home schooled are 6-24." This is confusing; however, I get what you are trying to say. You are arguing that students cannot and will not remember all that they learned through educational methods such as home schooling. I disagree. Home schooling moves at a faster pace than public education because of limited distractions. But this doesn't mean that home schooled students forget what they learn. It simply means that they can move on with their learning, and can be taught things that the public education system is forced to teach later on. Here is a website, a CNN website, that gives both sides of home -schooling: http://schoolsofthought.blogs.cnn.com... One thing that it states is: "Most parents aren't certified teachers, so it stands to reason why some question the effectiveness of a home school education. But the Home School Legal Defense Association, an advocacy group in favor of home schooling, reported in 2009 that home schooled students averaged 37 percentile points higher on standardized tests than their public school counterparts. EducationNews.org backs that up, saying that while students in traditional schools mark the 50th percentile on standardized tests, students who are “independently educated” score between the 65th and 89th percentile." Interesting. It seems as though home schooled children are much higher academically than those who choose public education. 2. "The young ones of America have become so independent & we have fallen in love with technology. Technology is most likely ONE reason why the student wants to be home schooled via computer. We have the Facebook, the Google, the Twitter, YouTube, etc." First, do you have any facts to prove to back this up? Second, the benefit of home schooling is that the parents have a large hand in what their children is being taught and can supervise their child's education very well. I don't think that parents are just going to let their child get on the computer and trust that they're doing exactly what they ought to do. 3. "...it DOES NOT give the parents a benefit because the parent has to spend money that can exceed thousands of dollars. Public schooling is free, we just pay via taxes." It just depends on what the parent is willing to afford for their child. Some may see it as a waste, while others may enjoy the thought of home schooling. And one benefit in home schooling, at least to some, is the introduction of a religious setting. Whereas public education is secular, home schooling can be more religious-based learning. Many parents may see a huge benefit to this, and are willing to spend a lot to better their child's religious understanding and avoid the secular public education system. It should, as I said earlier, be a personal decision. If parents are willing to spend more money on their child, who is to stop them? The government? No way! 4. "Lets enforce anti-bullying, lets enforce school uniforms provided by the school, lets have more security & deans on campus to prevent bullying." Have the anti-bullying programs been effective so far? No. We still hear of teen suicides, of people going crazy because of their being teased. Again, it should be the role of the family to decide where their children get educated. And, if you did enforce school uniforms, there still are things to make fun of. Acne, hair, etc. will still be around and will still be the punch line in the jokes made by bullies. Mean people will always find something to tease somebody about, even if they have the same clothes on. 5. "Us people need to experience society so we can adapt outside of family."An article on the social benefits of home schooling: http://www.homeschool-guide.com... This website proves your argument quite wrong and sums up my position perfectly. It confirms that home schooled children are just as able to socialize with those of their own age and even those that are older than students in the public school system. "Home school children are better at getting along with other children (with both home schooled and institutionally schooled children), they are better at getting along with children of other ages, and they actually interact regularly and get along with adults. It's amazing how easily home schooled children jump into a conversation between adults. Even home schooled teens talk with adults, and with their parents.If you think about it, it makes sense. Institutionally schooled children, normally, are forced to sit in their desks most of the day, to not talk to each other, and to do book work even when it is boring. There is very little social interaction in most classrooms. Then they go out on the playground for "recess." There is no one out there to teach them how to get along with each other, even in the best situations (the one or two playground supervisors don’t "teach" social skills - it’s more like they prevent physical fights). More often, the children are likely to ignore all the children who are not in their own grade, and to emotionally abuse each other (called insulting or teasing), because they are so emotionally bored from the lack of social interaction in their classes, and because they have stored up lots of physical energy being still and quiet in the classroom."These are a few paragraphs I would like to point out from that wonderful article. What it states makes incredible sense - that children don't get that much social interaction in class. And outside of those boring class, they are often rude and misunderstood by other students because of the stress and boredom that is put onto them. I wanted to single out that article - it's a great article because not only does it prove the stereotypes of home schooling false, it gives reason to why home schooling can be beneficiary. Also, if the reason you are against home schooling is due to the social aspect of the concept, it is now invalidated. Home schooled children can now join clubs, teams, etc. with other home schooled children.6. "Each environment holds specific and helpful opportunities for children to learn. But as a parent, only you can determine which environment is helpful and suitable for your child. " This is the basis of my argument - and it can be found in one of your articles! My point is that each student is different, and will learn better in different environment. It should be a personal decision - not one mandated by the government and watched over by the Department of Education. There are many other falsities in your argument, but a limit of characters prevents me from arguing. My point is simple: if we allow students to decide where they want to learn, where they believe they will benefit, we ought to let them. Parents and students ought to pick where they will be taught. I agree with you that every student, no matter in what jurisdiction, should learn the same things. I just believe that home schooling eliminates many distractions and allows students to discover themselves. If they can discover themselves - artistically, musically, mentally, physically, spiritually - they will be more equipped for the real world, going in with a realistic sense of who they are instead of who they want to be. Home school should teach the same things as public schools. I just believe the option of home schooling is more efficient and allows students to better understand subjects while moving at a faster pace. I have provided articles supporting my claim that home schooling does not limit social interaction to the extent that you believe it does. It may once have, but with home school clubs, teams, etc. students can be just as social.