Anyone else finding more support for homeschooling?

[youthere]

When we first told people (4 years ago) that we were going to be homeschooling they were aghast. We found ourselves constantly having to defend our choice. Lately (the last 6 months or so) We seem to get the opposite reaction. Instead of being met with immediate criticism, people have been genuinely interested and supportive. Any one else experiencing this?

[mzteris]

1. I think because

NCLB is causing a great deal of trouble in the schools.

Children who are at either end of the spectrum are getting screwed - whether Gifted or Challenged - or BOTH - and you don't get what you really need to succeed.

Teaching to the test - memorization and regurgitation is NOT "schooling".

I think it's growing in popularity because it is out of the fundamentalist fringe and moving into the liberal sector. People have figured out that their children are not being taught critical thinking skills and realize they can do "no worse" than the "experts" in the school system.


I think, too, seeing the success of homeschoolers - both academically and personally - is contributing to the growing acceptance and popularity of hsing.

Unfortunately, not very many here on DU has gotten the message that hs'ing is a GOOD thing. We catch a lot of flack here. :(

You do NOT have to be a "trained professional" to be an effective learning facilitator for your child. Were you "trained" to be a mom? To teach them how to talk and walk properly? Did you have to be certified in Toilet Training 101? Of course not.

One-on-one individualized curriculum should be every teacher's dream for all students. Instead, I think many teachers are feeling threatened and personally attacked by parent's decisions to pull their children from PS. I don't think it's the teachers fault per se - but the system as a whole is irretrievably broken and the problems have become exacerbated by NCLB and the teach to the test mentality.

There are good teachers, and still some good schools. Unfortunately, they are few and far between.

[youthere]

2. I agree...

I think the reality of NCLB has sunk in and poeple are getting a real wakeup call where public schooling is concerned.
AND I agree with you re: the attitudes here on DU. I've seen some of the nastiest posts attacking homeschooling...I never dealt with venom like that-and I've met a lot of people that don't support homeschooling.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

3. The best thing I found

was a local homeschool parent/student network. The kids can get together for sports, arts and crafts, field trips and just friendship.
If anyone is particularly religious, they aren't preaching in the group setting; and everyone I've met just seems really pleasant.

My mom tried to discourage me with both my boys, but I used the critical comments to strengthen my own views about homeschool. It seems like a pain to have to justify my feelings about what's best for my kid, but I have to admit that it's fortified my resolve.

[suziedemocrat]

4. I substitute taught when I was out of work as a computer programmer.

I was horrified!!! I also substitute taught in the same school system in 1989, and it wasn't so bad. Either I got all old and cranky, or society went to hell, or a little of both. After a few months of substitute teaching, I went from thinking homeschooling was only for right-wing, religious nut-jobs, to thinking it was a great alternative to our failing public schools. I agree, who wants the socialization kids are getting in today's schools?

I think EVERYONE should substitute teach in their kids' schools; then I'm sure even more people would home school.

Also, PBS has over 3000 lesson plans on their web-site. http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/

[GoddessOfGuinness]

7. Thanks for the link!

My 2nd grader loves his Computer Skills and Applications course through Calvert School, but he can't get enough of it. When he gets done with a lesson, he's gung-ho to go on to the next. So I'm always looking for new online activities to help him apply the skills he's learning. :hi:

[niallmac]

5. Absolutely, especially since the No Child Left Behind kicked in.

We were one of the few non 'Christian' motivated families now we know lots folks
unaffiliated with this or that church who are home schooling.

[MountainLaurel]

8. That's a huge factor, I think

Too many parents are realizing that the teaching to the test that goes on does not work when your child thinks in a different way, is more or less advanced than the standard that is taught in the script lessons the school district purchased for millions from a company tied to the Bushitas, or if your child has the usual needs of a child (like a 7-year-old who can't sit in the same classroom doing rote memorization for 8 hours).

I think the rise of the Religious Reich on school boards and such is scaring parents as well -- A good friend who is planning to HS grew up a UU in one of those areas where kids leave public schools once a week to go to church study. (The churches have put trailers at the edge of the school campuses so that technically they're not going in to the school itself.) The attack on science probably also plays a role: If I were in Kansas I'd have fears about my child being accepted into a college science program.

[mzmolly]

6. For the most part people are supportive.

I feel thankful that I'm living in a time when choices are more respected. I am thankful for all the "pioneers."