Hello
I would like to know more about the disadvantages of homeschooling. I am doing a letter to the editor for a school assessment task and I need to find as many disadvantages as possible. If you can help please respond.

It depends...
If a parent tries to home-school a child without any connection with a school, there are several disadvantages:

Curriculum is not in line with what children are expected to know
Textbooks are not easily available
Standardized testing is not available
The child tend to spend more time on subjects that he/she likes and does not tackle the weak spots
Unless the parent is connected with social and athletic activities in the community, the child does not develop these aspects.

If, however the parent has the child enrolled in an "independent study" program, the have access to textbooks, testing, and curriculum consistent with a grade level expected in their state.

The major flaw I see is that the parent gets to a point, usually Jr. high age where math and science are beyond their ability to teach. As the child gets older, it is more difficult to put them in a school setting.

I would appreciate some feedback as I am new to this board. Thanks!

John

I am not for homeschooling. For one, interaction with other kids is vital for the formation & growth of a character in a child. Let her experience what we have experienced. Best friends, crushes, long lines in the school canteen. A child who has a restricted environment tend not to adjust well in the big, bad world. Secondly, there is always procastination. When you have no deadlines or no competition, there is less determination to make good.

The most primal disadvantage of homeschooling equates unto social relations and emotional development...

It is possible for a child to attain great academic and scholastics achievements in such a setting, this can not be argued because the attention and focus is very concentrated; therefore, a lot more of the material can be covered, especially noting the child's level of intellectual attainment and advancement... however, with this in perspective, the child is not subjected to experience uncommon authority and expectations. The child is not able to relate to that which is different... exposure to every thing under the sun is quite limited... we see this in public school whereby the population is homogenous... the introduction of another race, culture creates fear and unrealistic expectations... based on fiction or vain imaginations... the ability to treat each incident or person based on the merit presented versus a collective standard...

Homeschooling does not adequately prepare a child to variant degrees of expectation... it does not allow the child to develop beyond its exposure, the primary caregiver becomes the child every thing which cripples and weakens them emotionally, especially if something unexpected were to happen. The child's social skills can vary from one extreme to the other... from feeling inadequate due to lack of experience unto feeling grandiose due to limited competition. This is true with children not homeschool, but the propensity is greater. Team like attitude is not stressed, the ability to compromise for the greater good, and not unto self-destruction. The development, the actualization of the sense of self as seen through the eyes of others completely hindered because teachers present an array of persona and expectation levels which will foster creative character... sometimes pulling from an internal source of strength to overcome belittlement... sometimes the very expectation of failure creates a strong will and drive to a focused level of surpassing... homeschooling disadvantages are solely and strictly related to a child ability to absorb and process the world, that from an inner perspective, from family or heritage perspectives unto that from society's standard of living... the ability to uphold the best from all worlds to make it ones own. The emotional and social development can be stagnated; however, if the primary caregiver balances her/his role with the child, expose the child to other unique environments, it may not be a socially damaging; however, in most cases, the choice for homeschooling is to prevent such exposure.

Home schoolers would never pretend that they are sending in a 'letter to the editor' that is not about something they themselves actively care about. If a homeschooler sent a letter to the editor it would be to complain about an issue that matters to them personally, and not a "made up" letter. Secondly does your class also have people making up letters praising advantages of home schooling, or is this merely a campaign by your school or teacher to send such a flood of letters to a actual editor that one of them makes it into the paper, in which case they are not doing education at all, but instead merely proselytize into their religion of worshiping 'not home schooling' public education.
Sad that teachers make religious converts but no other religions are allowed.

More disadvantages for home schoolers:
Home schoolers get higher scores on academic tests.
Home schoolers must have learned how to think for themselves.
Home schoolers get higher scores on college admission tests.
Home schoolers have lower teacher to student ratios.
Home schoolers spend more quality time with parents.
Home schoolers spend less travel time to and from school.
Home schoolers can spend more time on the education skills.
Home schoolers have closer contact with education administration.
Home schoolers cost less to transport to and from school each day.

You might ask why are those things disadvantages? Because the educational community at public schools 'thinks' they are disadvantages.

You see it is the insanity of the educational community that causes such stupidity as any resistance to home schooling in the first place, because everyone should be home schooled, only then can we actually get the equal playing field that all children should have. Only then can it be determined who is better for what job, and who should do greater things. The problem is the people who run education have the lowest grade point averages of all students at college! Anyone in any other field or major is smarter than them!

WOW! I am surprised to read all the "negatives" of home schooling. Are people really that closed minded, and do people really believe this? I would think one would research something before posting on the subject. I am a newbie, and this is my first post. My daughter is 14 years old, and I have homeschooled her for most of her life. I home school my daughter because I have not been able to find a school that can meet her needs. My daughter has autism, however she is very high functioning, and she tests out as gifted.

I actually put my daughter in an integrated public school program for 2 months when she was in kindegarten, however the teacher expected her to sit still and learn a letter (of the alphabet) each week, even though she was already reading middle school books. My daughter's teacher punished my daughter when she displayed appropriate coping skills that her psychologist taught her. Her teacher did a great job of crushing her self esteem. I homeschooled my daughter the rest of the year, and we tried again the following year. This time my daughter tried a private school. There were only 10 typical kids in the class of 2nd and 3rd graders. My daughter skipped 1st grade and was put in this class. She made 100% on all her 3rd grade work, but again was only in that school for a few months. The kids teased her and when she said "sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me", the kids picked up rocks and sticks and threw them at my daughter. During Christmas break, the school got a new slide. My daughter loved the new slide. When the kids went down the slide, their shoes left black marks on the slide... My daughter loved to spend 2 hours each day picking these marks off. I could not allow my daughter to be engaged in this behavior for 2 hours each day, (not to mention tormented by the kids), so I once again took her out of school. I have homeschooled my daughter ever since.

Regarding social skills... what kinds of social skills would she have gotten in school? Her self esteem was crushed from school. Through homeschool, I am able to teach my daughter not only the academics, but also social skills. When we are with other children and she is inappropriate, I am there to see what happens, and talk about how she could have handled the situation differently. My daughter will always have social deficits, but I know in my heart she never could have come as far as she has if she were dumped in school all day to be made fun of. And by the way, my daughter has been a girl scout for 8 years, and also in 4-H for 6 years. Oh, and did I mention that this is my daughter's 2nd year as President of her 4-H club? The kids are the one's who elect their officers. I am only bragging because of all the negative things I've read on here about homeschooling.

And my daughter not only learns from me, but she learns on her own, and she learns from others. Currently she works regularly with vets, participates in necropsies (animal autopsies), and so much more! Homeschooling is what you make it... Each child is a unique person with their own gifts to give the world.

PS. We are white, however my daughter's amazing mentor, who my daughter absolutely adores, idolizes, and who is also a vet, is a black woman. All the kids in our girl scout troop are white, however my daughter is the only white person in her 4-H club (the other kids are hispanic, black, etc.). Most of my daughter's friends are in public or private school. My daughter's best friend is a "typical" kid who is awesome, who is a 4.6 GPA student who loves animals just like my kid.

My daughter has taught me so much about life, love and even academics. I wouldn't trade her for any kid in the world. Wishing you open mindedness and acceptance of others, even if they are different. How boring the world would be if we were all the same. :)

"WOW! I am surprised to read all the "negatives" of home schooling. Are people really that closed minded, and do people really believe this?"

Notice that the original post asked for the "negatives" of home schooling.

I responded by discussing the difficulties faced in this type of education.

I am homeschooled and find no disadvantages except for maybe the social advantages school gives you

sarah_x - what do you do to correct for the social situation? Like how do you solve the problem of the social advantage that a school offers you?

The way I have seen people address the problem of providing sufficient social interaction for the home schooled is to band together and plan activities.
I don't know exactly how they contact each other, but they do.
Of course, if a person lives in a sparsely populated area, this may not be possible.

It is considerable work to make this happen, and one has to really believe in home schooling to accomplish this.

It depends...
If a parent tries to home-school a child without any connection with a school, there are several disadvantages:

Curriculum is not in line with what children are expected to know
Textbooks are not easily available
standardized testing is not available
The child tend to spend more time on subjects that he/she likes and does not tackle the weak spots
Unless the parent is connected with social and athletic activities in the community, the child does not develop these aspects.

If, however the parent has the child enrolled in an "independent study" program, the have access to textbooks, testing, and curriculum consistent with a grade level expected in their state.

The major flaw I see is that the parent gets to a point, usually Jr. high age where math and science are beyond their ability to teach. As the child gets older, it is more difficult to put them in a school setting.

I would appreciate some feedback as I am new to this board. Thanks!

JohnI have to say I disagree on a lot of things you brought up.Homeschoolers are still alowwed to play ball in the county.I do understand when the parent gets to the point they can`t teach them anymore butnow you can homeschool via satalite through Bb Jones,Switched on schoolhouse has computer programs (both have teachers that teach you)The satalite one,it puts the child in a classroom settingand it like your child is sitting in the back of the class.Everyone says it social but we have group co-ops with other homeschooling families all the time.(&parties)Besides when kids get out in the real world,they will need to socialize with all ages not just people their own age.Homeschooling has been the most fulfilling thing in my life.To be honest I can`t see many disadvantages at all.Imean I know what she is taught and I disagree in what the school system teach.Evolution?haThey are teaching this as a fact and that is totally false.Our English and math are in line with what the schools teach.So are the other subjects except,we have scripture in ours,and our books explain stuff like in different animals as they become mothers, God made each of their milk different to accomidate with each ones needs.Baby sea lions get milk that are high in fat so they can grow a blubber blanket to protect them from the icy seas and baby camels get milk that is high in water the ingredient they need most in their hot,dry environment.I BELIEVE WHEN SOMEONE Disagrees about homeschooling sometimes its just a lack of understanding.My friend was homeschooling before me and I said I`d never homeschool but guess what? Jesus was laughing and 2 weeks later WHAM! I WAS LIKE OH NO but you know God and he`s bigger than me so now I homeschool one of my daughters I love it! She needed more one on one.and some things we have to work on longer(where the school system has to move along even if they don`t understand it) Besides really public school is the new one-people used to homeschool all the time because they couldn`t get to schools.I wish we could go back to the old days.God Bless,Roxanne.

home schoolers would never pretend that they are sending in a 'letter to the editor' that is not about something they themselves actively care about. If a homeschooler sent a letter to the editor it would be to complain about an issue that matters to them personally, and not a "made up" letter. secondly does your class also have people making up letters praising advantages of home schooling, or is this merely a campaign by your school or teacher to send such a flood of letters to a actual editor that one of them makes it into the paper, in which case they are not doing education at all, but instead merely proselytize into their religion of worshiping 'not home schooling' public education.
Sad that teachers make religious converts but no other religions are allowed.

more disadvantages for home schoolers:
home schoolers get higher scores on academic tests.
home schoolers must have learned how to think for themselves.
home schoolers get higher scores on college admission tests.
home schoolers have lower teacher to student ratios.
home schoolers spend more quality time with parents.
home schoolers spend less travel time to and from school.
home schoolers can spend more time on the education skills.
home schoolers have closer contact with education administration.
home schoolers cost less to transport to and from school each day.

you might ask why are those things disadvantages? because the educational community at public schools 'thinks' they are disadvantages.

You see it is the insanity of the educational community that causes such stupidity as any resistance to home schooling in the first place, because everyone should be home schooled, only then can we actually get the equal playing field that all children should have. only then can it be determined who is better for what job, and who should do greater things. the problem is the people who run education have the lowest grade point averages of all students at college! anyone in any other field or major is smarter than them!
BRAVO!! Well said! RoxPate

WOW! I am surprised to read all the "negatives" of home schooling. Are people really that closed minded, and do people really believe this? I would think one would research something before posting on the subject. I am a newbie, and this is my first post. My daughter is 14 years old, and I have homeschooled her for most of her life. I home school my daughter because I have not been able to find a school that can meet her needs. My daughter has autism, however she is very high functioning, and she tests out as gifted.

I actually put my daughter in an intergrated public school program for 2 months when she was in kindegarten, however the teacher expected her to sit still and learn a letter (of the alphabet) each week, even though she was already reading middle school books. My daughter's teacher punished my daughter when she displayed appropriate coping skills that her psychologist taught her. Her teacher did a great job of crushing her self esteem. I homeschooled my daughter the rest of the year, and we tried again the following year. This time my daughter tried a private school. There were only 10 typical kids in the class of 2nd and 3rd graders. My daughter skipped 1st grade and was put in this class. She made 100% on all her 3rd grade work, but again was only in that school for a few months. The kids teased her and when she said "sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me", the kids picked up rocks and sticks and threw them at my daughter. During Christmas break, the school got a new slide. My daughter loved the new slide. When the kids went down the slide, their shoes left black marks on the slide... My daughter loved to spend 2 hours each day picking these marks off. I could not allow my daughter to be engaged in this behavior for 2 hours each day, (not to mention tormented by the kids), so I once again took her out of school. I have homeschooled my daughter ever since.

Regarding social skills..... what kinds of social skills would she have gotten in school? Her self esteem was crushed from school. Through homeschool, I am able to teach my daughter not only the academics, but also social skills. When we are with other children and she is inappropriate, I am there to see what happens, and talk about how she could have handled the situation differently. My daughter will always have social deficits, but I know in my heart she never could have come as far as she has if she were dumped in school all day to be made fun of. And by the way, my daughter has been a girl scout for 8 years, and also in 4-H for 6 years. Oh, and did I mention that this is my daughter's 2nd year as President of her 4-H club? The kids are the one's who elect their officers. I am only bragging because of all the negative things I've read on here about homeschooling.

And my daughter not only learns from me, but she learns on her own, and she learns from others. Currently she works regularly with vets, participates in necropsies (animal autopsies), and so much more! Homeschooling is what you make it..... Each child is a unique person with their own gifts to give the world.

PS. We are white, however my daughter's amazing mentor, who my daughter absolutely adores, idolizes, and who is also a vet, is a black woman. All the kids in our girl scout troop are white, however my daughter is the only white person in her 4-H club (the other kids are hispanic, black, etc.). Most of my daughter's friends are in public or private school. My daughter's best friend is a "typical" kid who is awesome, who is a 4.6 GPA student who loves animals just like my kid.

My daughter has taught me so much about life, love and even academics. I wouldn't trade her for any kid in the world. Wishing you open mindedness and acceptance of others, even if they are different. How boring the world would be if we were all the same. :)That was precious!I`d love to talk with you sometime about some of the different hands activities you`ve done and other ideas? God Bless! RoxPate.

I was homeschooled for a year and learned A Lot. But I was the type of learner as a kid who did better with one on one teaching. And I really benefitted from it. The only reason my mom couldn't continue with it was that she had to return to working because of financial reasons. As far as social problems occurring from it, I didn't have a problem socially going back to school the following year. But I was only homeschooled for one year (4th grade) and had been in a public school before. So my expirence may not be too accurate where social problems are concerned.But I will say my mom did have social get togethers with other homeschool kids and there parents a few times a week which I think helped keep me around other kids through that year. It really isn't as bad as some people make it seem to be.

home schoolers would never pretend that they are sending in a 'letter to the editor' that is not about something they themselves actively care about. If a homeschooler sent a letter to the editor it would be to complain about an issue that matters to them personally, and not a "made up" letter. secondly does your class also have people making up letters praising advantages of home schooling, or is this merely a campaign by your school or teacher to send such a flood of letters to a actual editor that one of them makes it into the paper, in which case they are not doing education at all, but instead merely proselytize into their religion of worshiping 'not home schooling' public education.
Sad that teachers make religious converts but no other religions are allowed.

more disadvantages for home schoolers:
home schoolers get higher scores on academic tests.
home schoolers must have learned how to think for themselves.
home schoolers get higher scores on college admission tests.
home schoolers have lower teacher to student ratios.
home schoolers spend more quality time with parents.
home schoolers spend less travel time to and from school.
home schoolers can spend more time on the education skills.
home schoolers have closer contact with education administration.
home schoolers cost less to transport to and from school each day.

you might ask why are those things disadvantages? because the educational community at public schools 'thinks' they are disadvantages.

You see it is the insanity of the educational community that causes such stupidity as any resistance to home schooling in the first place, because everyone should be home schooled, only then can we actually get the equal playing field that all children should have. only then can it be determined who is better for what job, and who should do greater things. the problem is the people who run education have the lowest grade point averages of all students at college! anyone in any other field or major is smarter than them!


There is no disadvantage is done properly, the only disadvantage is if and when it is not done properly. Socialization and some areas of expertise are always issues if not addressed.

First homeschooling should look into the dozens of home schooling associations and networks that provide everything from standarise testing and text books and actually include the intire course work.
Many have various meetings of members. In Atlanta for example there is a program that brings the kids together one day a week for group activities.

You have to watch out for the arts, music lessons, dance lessons and the such can add to a program.

What they do miss in many public schools is the chance to learn who to tell if another student has a gun, how to run from a fight, how to get into a fight and all the proper gang signs.

Upon looking at the public school system in Atlanta for example, even people working within the system, told us if we could possibly put our child into private school we should. We actually moved so our child would not be in their school district.

I would first before checking into school system with some of the great home schooling groups, they can give you good info on proper contact methods, legality issues and things like that

I am not for homeschooling. For one, interaction with other kids is vital for the formation & growth of a character in a child. Let her experience what we have experienced. Best friends, crushes, long lines in the school canteen. A child who has a restricted environment tend not to adjust well in the big, bad world. Secondly, there is always procastination. When you have no deadlines or no competition, there is less determination to make good.

I am a homeschooling father. Why is public school necessary to have best friends or crushes? How do long lines at the school canteen aid in character development?

Guy

I am a homeschooling father. Why is public school necessary to have best friends or crushes? How do long lines at the school canteen aid in character development?

Guy

A school canteen is like what, a cafeteria? In which case, why would your child be using such a lineup.

It is much healthier and cheaper for the child to bring a lunch to school instead of buying some unhealthy food from the cafeteria.

And I see nothing wrong with homeschooling provided the parent makes sure that the child is developing good social interaction as well.

Thanks for your reply.
My remarks are from a personal knowledge of homeschooling plus a 37 year career as a teacher and administrator and high school counselor in public schools in California.

My point was that anyone who is considering homeschooling should inquire about joining an independent study program. In California, there are schools that cater only to homeschoolers and provide books and testing to the parent. The parent may supplement with religious or other types of instruction.

I am not against homeschooling. One of my daughters home schools her three children. She has solved the social part. She see the connection she has with a homeschooling learning center (free) as a plus.

Another daughter works for a homeschooling learning center.
So you see that I have spent my life in assisting children to learn, and I am not just giving my opinion based on "thin air'.

I am not against homeschooling; it is just not for everyone, just as the public schools are not for everyone.

John

Thanks for your reply.
My remarks are from a personal knowledge of homeschooling plus a 37 year career as a teacher and administrator and high school counselor in public schools in California.

My point was that anyone who is considering homeschooling should inquire about joining an independent study program. In California, there are schools that cater only to homeschoolers and provide books and testing to the parent. The parent may supplement with religious or other types of instruction.

I am not against homeschooling. One of my daughters home schools her three children. She has solved the social part. She see the connection she has with a homeschooling learning center (free) as a plus.

Another daughter works for a homeschooling learning center.
So you see that I have spent my life in assisting children to learn, and I am not just giving my opinion based on "thin air'.

I am not against homeschooling; it is just not for everyone, just as the public schools are not for everyone.

John

Very true, there are many great organizations for home school people, many are religious based some are not. There are even private religious schools that don't cost much more than day care. We found two in our area that would not cost us any more for the elementry grades than does their current pre-school ( day care costs).

But not everyone can home school, one parent will have to be home during the day and then "both Parents" will have to give into the schooling. It will take the FIRST position of the day and the parents time. And then the parents have to have the ability to do the training.

I respectfully disagree with the negatives about homeschooled children and socialization. If acquainting them with ridicule, rejection, physical threats and the rigors of the pecking order is necessary to socialize our children, then I would recommend to keep them unsocialize for a little longer. I speak from experience. I have been on the playgrounds and have worked in the public school classrooms.

I respectfully disagree with the negatives about homeschooling and socialize. If acquainting them with ridicule, rejection, physical threats and the rigors of the pecking order is necessary to socialize our children, then I recommend to keep them unsocialize for a little longer.

I respectfully disagree with the negatives about homeschooling and socialize. If acquainting them with ridicule, rejection, physical threats and the rigors of the pecking order is necessary to socialize our children, then I recommend to keep them unsocialize for a little longer.What do you think happens in the real world outside your house?

To remove a child from a classroom - does not mean to confine them to the house. Options are UNLIMITED. There are outings to the park, farms, factories, museums, nursing homes, youth groups, special clubs, friends, relatives. The list is limitless. A simple trip to the store can provide a child with invaluable exposure to the lives and daily life and real adults in the real world. That's what I call socialization at it's best.

To remove a child from a classroom - does not mean to confine them to the house. Options are UNLIMITED. There are outings to the park, farms, factories, museums, nursing homes, youth groups, special clubs, friends, relatives. The list is limitless. A simple trip to the store can provide a child with invaluable exposure to the lives and daily life and real adults in the real world. That's what I call socialization at it's best.Yep, that's what I did with my kids from 0-5 years old, then it's off to school. Now we do homework together and have outings all the time.

This is Mim's daughter replying: The disadvantage of being homeschooled is that you have to wait until 3:00pm for your friends to come home from public school.
Seriously though, I was homeschooled my third-fifth grade years and had no trouble adjusting to public school life when I returned. I was and still am an A/B honor roll student. So, there really are no disadvantages to homeschooling. It is NOT socially handicapping like some people who have never been homeschooled believe.

Curriculum is not in line with what children are expected to know
Textbooks are not easily available
standardized testing is not available
The child tend to spend more time on subjects that he/she likes and does not tackle the weak spots
Unless the parent is connected with social and athletic activities in the community, the child does not develop these aspects.

If, however the parent has the child enrolled in an "independent study" program, the have access to textbooks, testing, and curriculum consistent with a grade level expected in their state.

The major flaw I see is that the parent gets to a point, usually Jr. high age where math and science are beyond their ability to teach. As the child gets older, it is more difficult to put them in a school setting.


John

There are standard material available at almost any book store and at 1000's of web sites online. There is non religious and religious material. One can connect to a program or use various clases from different programs.

Why does anyone believe there is any standard testing, a 4th grader in school A in one state does not use the same books, the same lesson plan or the same tests as another student.

Social and athletics ( that must be playground on the swings at school)
I guess taking the child to the part to play with kids during the day or on weekends does not count like doing the same thing in school.
There are all sorts of activiteis, musem, there are homeschool play groups, there are music lessons, karate lessons, dance lessons, all sort of activities.
Actually the home school student learns more arts, learns better lessons and are normally smarter than their in school counterparts

I guess you believe the only people home schooling are grade school drop outs that live in trailer parks, Many parents have college degrees, masters and PhD's. Even with just a high school education, there are teacher helps, online support groups, tutoring and so much more available.

As for as putting back in school, yes, the home school child is normally too far advanced for those his or her age in regular school, making it harder for them to return to regular school. ( they will get far to bored with regular school.

The only real negative is that the parents have to be committted to this long term. There are even online programs for children now.

man... that question hit me wrong. Absolutely no interest in the positives. Unbelievable.

we have a daughter 19, schooled in the public system. Loved it. Did great. Of course she was "home schooled" to a degree... at the kitchen table most nights by her parents. Its just called good parenting.

our son, 2 years, may be taught at home (I taught 10 yrs at college level, so a little exp though with obviously older students... you wouldn't know that from my lack of capitalization and punctuation when writing posts, eh? My prerogative). From what I've seen at the college level, home schooled students were not at a disadvantage academically and were not socially dysfunctional. Pompous for some in the teaching profession to use a such broad brush. How many bad teachers did you have in your formal educational experience?

I know there are clear problems with some home schooling. My brother in laws family is a prime example. Poor structure, unstable family... I don't trust that they are getting all of the education they need, and I'm sure they'll move on to the school system in later years when the material gets tougher. Hopefully the kids will be able to adjust.

but to pick a position and then simply try to find the facts that support that position and ignore the other side... that is ignorant.

OK, this is a tangent, but it reminds me a little of the struggles we've had with the medical community. My wife and I are chemists. We have friends who are doctors. We are well versed in scientific method. We also believe that western med doesn't know all. We used a midwife for prenatal care of our son and the md's went nuts. Practically claimed that we'd abused our unborn child with neglect... when our midwife (actually, a cerfified nurse/midwife with over 30 years experience in labor rooms) met with us every week for 1-2 hours of med discussion. How many docs meet with their patients that long? None.

3 mds told my wife western med couldn't help her w cysts and adhesions so her options were to take narcotics or get a hysterectomy. Guess what worked? Acupuncture. The fact I even have a son is testament to the value of looking for alternatives.

I know that's drifting away from the original post, but the nature of the comment reminds me of how we were treated by some in the med community. As I said, I have good friends who are docs. I respect their opinions and seek their help. I also know there are sometimes other alternatives worth looking into.

there. That's my tie in to the alternative schooling issue.

done ranting, for now. =)

ps - and having worked with classes ranging from 16 to over 100 students, which classes do you think were the best run? The classes that I had a finger on the pulse of the class? You just cannot teach 40 students the same way you can teach 10 or 4 or 1. good teaching takes TIME and ENERGY and WORK and STRUCTURE and KNOWLEDGE. The current ed system is often failing in the first three just from sheer numbers. It is the reason I stopped teaching. To do a good job meant my nights and weekends were consumed by work, and I refused to do less and be a mediocre teacher.

there. Done ranting again, for now. Again.

I don't think people are bashing home schooling.

In fact, I think it is a good idea.

I think the problem brought up is that the parents who home school must find a way to teach their children about sharing, social interaction, etc. If they do that, then there is no problem.

hello
i would like to know more about the disadvantages of homeschooling. I am doing a letter to the editor for a school assesment task and I need to find as many disadvantages as possible. If you can help please respond.

Okay... maybe this isn't bashing, but its not a thoughtful, open question about the pros and cons. At best, if she thinks there are pros, she knows them all. But sounds to me like this is mostly interested in negatives. That is what I was talking about.

Maybe my interpretation is wrong. If she wants all possible negatives in order to be able to counter them or address them, I guess that's different. I read it originally as a desire to put home schooling in a bad light.

As I read the posts I see more in favor and liking home school. Except for a couple of posters everyone had good things to say about it.

It is not for everyone, people first have to have time at home with the child. If you have two working parents, it is not going to happen.

If there is not a planned and controlled structure to the family odds are home schooling is not going to work.

And if the child runs the family it is not going to work.

But in homes where one parent is home with the child, and there is a good family structure it can be a good thing.

Okay. Please read my posts carefully.

In each case I refer to the original thread question. The question. The asking for information about the negatives only.

Yes, I can and have read all of the post that come after. Yes, I agree with most of them. Yes, they generally support the idea of home schooling.

I get it.

But before another person reads my posts and tries to correct me on my misunderstanding of the thread, please read mine a little more carefully.

i disagree with the nature of the question. the original post. the asking for negatives only.

> "man... that question hit me wrong. absolutely no interest in the positives. unbelievable" referring to the original post where there is only a stated interest in the disadvantages...from my 1st post.

> "okay... maybe this isn't bashing, but its not a thoughtful, open question about the pros and cons. at best, if she thinks there are pros, she knows them all. but sounds to me like this is mostly interested in negatives. that is what i was talking about.

maybe my interpretation is wrong. if she wants all possible negatives in order to be able to counter them or address them, i guess thats different. i read it originally as a desire to put home schooling in a bad light." the "she" here is the original poster.

I never said the thread wasn't a thoughtful discussion. It was the original poster I have issue with.

Man, this is painful.

I didn't feal like reading just posting my input
watch the south park episode concerning this and you will know my stance(also very entertaining)
I believe that public schools should be mandatory but still not enough
parents should encourage and let experience as many of their child's interests as possible at home because the school is not able to provide.
school is just the base
I'm 22 and most of the knowledge I value the most I learned outside of it but I couldn't without the base from NY public schools

Unfortunately the original asker has only posted once and I doubt he/she is reading this.

I know you need to be careful about dredging up threads that the original poster isn't looking at probably.

But if this is the only reason to keep a post alive then why aren't posts locked after a certain time or number of posts in which the original poster hasn't responded?

Aw man. You got me.

Didn't see the original was aug 2005.