Home Schooling vs Public School

[intricatic]

Intri,

That is fine and good, but how does that apply to the fact that you called me out on my statements, but can't back up your claim?

This is not about different learning styles. That affects all people, regardless of educational background.

It does not matter what your specific learning style is when you enter the real world. You have to learn to work with people of varying beliefs and backgrounds. You don't learn that sitting at home one on one with a parent. While the academic education may be superior, those children miss out on many valuable lessons learned in interactions with others.

Coach

This is entirely about different learning styles. They offer courses on learning styles to manage homework at most colleges now as the fad is actually catching on in most private and public venues. However, the difference between high school, for instance, and college, is the sum of independence the students are granted to engage in their education. Private schooling and homeschooling offer a significantly increased flexibility in terms of student learning styles, and social behavior. In homeschool for me, for instance, we had large group get-togethers with other homeschooling families once a week to go to museums, nature hikes, and things of that sort. The flexibility in that context can be tailored in any number of different ways to suit an individual child's personality.

 

[ido]

It does not matter what your specific learning style is when you enter the real world. You have to learn to work with people of varying beliefs and backgrounds. You don't learn that sitting at home one on one with a parent. While the academic education may be superior, those children miss out on many valuable lessons learned in interactions with others.

Coach

QFT

I attended private and public schools. I was homeschooling my older son for preschool until I had to go back to work full-time. I think that there are certain ages/stages where some kids respond better to homeschooling, however, I think it's a grave mistake on any parent's part to only expose their children to one style of learning for their entire academic career. I think the same of youth sports, too. I've seen many a parent insist on a specific coach for every season so they can be on a "winning team" or b/c they just like the coach and his coaching style. I prefer that my sons have different coaches as they start participating in sports. They have to be able to learn from different coaching/teaching styles in order to help them eventually adapt better in the working world, IMO.

I don't think that homeschooling should be done if the parent isn't present and there is no actual curriculum being used other than videos and online work. I know a woman who left her homeschooling up to the videos and the result is that she has two out of three daughters that can't read very well. Sad, since they are 11 and 16.

Personally, I think mina hit the nail on the head when she mentioned parental involvement. My son is in Kindergarten in a public school and I work full-time, but I am well aware of how he is doing academically and make every effort to participate in school events/activities. I use my lunch break every Friday to volunteer in his class. I communicate regularly with his teacher. I sit with him when he does his homework. My son's academic career is one of my top priorities. Apparently [he's pretty bright and] I'm doing some things right, b/c I was recently advised that he's functioning at a first grade level. (sorry - proud mommy moment!)

 

[Beauty4Ashes]

I was homeschooled until grade 6/7. Then started public school.

I am still undecided as to how I would want my kids to learn, haha....if I WAS married and HAD kids......lol

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

I do not support home schooling if there is no adult supervision. That is just asking for trouble and putting way too much responsibility on the older child. It's not the older child's job to "teach" the younger ones. Bad decision IMO.
As far as this debate of which is "better". I don't think anyone can say one way or the other. I am an only child. My parents both had to work full time. Some people say that only children have issues, because they don't have to learn to share at home or whatever. Some say it's better for mom's to stay at home instead of work. We all do what we have to do. I am a single mom. I have to work full time. My kids go to public school and are straight A students. Even though my oldest doesn't care for school. He is still an Honor Student. I wish I didn't have to work. He wishes he didn't have to go to school. Oh well. That's life! Just because I can't stay home with my kids doesn't mean they will turn out bad. Maybe they will turn out differently. Maybe they will be more independent. It's OK. For my grandkids that are home schooled. Maybe they will grow up smarter and have better careers. It's OK. I think for the most part whatever we do as parents whether its stay at home with the kids and home school them or work and send them off to public schools, it's what ELSE you do with them that shapes them into good people and teaches them what they need to know in life. It's the love WE show as parents that speak volumes to their characters. Does that mean that if they don't have parental involvement they won't turn out OK? I don't think so! Some won't, but others will develop a drive that they need to survive and they will succeed. So everyone is entitled to their opinion about what is "right" regarding schooling for their own children. I am encouraged by the people that were home schooled and loved it and think it's a good thing. And I am perfectly OK with the fact that I don't care for home schooling for MY children and I don't think I would be a good enough teacher anyway. I am perfectly OK with that. I think either way CAN be a win/win situation. But that depends on the parents, the kids, and those they interact or don't interact with. God Bless!

 

[Braticus]

I went to a public school, and I didn't mind the experience, but the subject matter that is taught leave something to be desired. I would love to have the opportunity to home school my children (if I have the opportunity to have children that is).

 

[Tamara224]

It does not matter what your specific learning style is when you enter the real world. You have to learn to work with people of varying beliefs and backgrounds. You don't learn that sitting at home one on one with a parent. While the academic education may be superior, those children miss out on many valuable lessons learned in interactions with others.

Coach

Public school is not "the real world" any more than home schooling is. Or rather, they are both equally "the real world". No matter what their schooling, kids have to go out on their own eventually and learn how to cope in job situations. Do you have any proof that people who were homeschooled go on to have more problems in their careers than people who weren't? Because comparing their socialization skills while they are still children is silly. It's like those kindergarten teachers who say "I can always tell the kids who were in preschool." Yeah, in kindergarten you can. But by the time the kids are in 1st grade, the distinction is pretty much gone.

And, imo, your de-emphasis of academics is typical of public schools and is a detriment to them, one of their major flaws. Learning how to play football is all fine and good but it teaches people very little about the "real world" as you call it. How many of the kids whom you have coached have gone on to make a career of sports? If you're lucky, you will have had one kid in your career go on to be a professional sports player. A few of them might earn a college scholarship through sports, but they're so focused on sports they forget they have to study in college, or don't know how.

Kids go to school to get an education, not learn how to beat each other up on the football field.

And if you really think academics isn't competitive... well, you know nothing of competition until you've been in a real academic setting. Public school isn't.

And, pretty much everyone in this thread has pointed out that homeschooled kids do actually leave their houses every once in a while. They participate in league sports, orchestras and band (talk about learning to interact with others!), church activities, community theaters, etc, etc. So to act like they never get any "valuable lessons learned in interactions with others" is a fallacy.

 

[kingoffools13]

I went to several public, and private schools as well as being home schooled for several years.

Honestly i hated homeschooling because you are so secluded from other people you have little to no social life. On top of which even if you have very smart parents, you still wont get the kind of help you need on ever subject, its a very rare person that can teach properly, let alone teach every subject. In my experience i ended up getting text books and teaching myself most of the time from them.

Private school is ok i guess but its uber cliquish and public school while it may leave something to be desired is perfectly alright and honestly if a kid applies themselves they can learn as much as they need to in most cases.


K
O
f

 

[septemberskies]

In short without reading all the other posts, I've been homeschooled for my entire childhood, I didn't like it and don't recommend it.

 

[intricatic]

I went to several public, and private schools as well as being home schooled for several years.

Honestly i hated homeschooling because you are so secluded from other people you have little to no social life. On top of which even if you have very smart parents, you still wont get the kind of help you need on ever subject, its a very rare person that can teach properly, let alone teach every subject. In my experience i ended up getting text books and teaching myself most of the time from them.

Private school is ok i guess but its uber cliquish and public school while it may leave something to be desired is perfectly alright and honestly if a kid applies themselves they can learn as much as they need to in most cases.


K
O
f

I wouldn't say it's rare that any given Joe can teach a kid properly, afterall, teachers are people too. But I do agree, for those who can't teach, private school or public school should be the top two tiers of options, with a firm dedication to take a part in the kid's life.

 

[kingoffools13]

I think everyone can "teach" to an extent, but to be a "good teacher" is not as common of a gifting, thats what i meant by that.

K
O
f

 

[Niels]

Is there any evidence to support the assumption that home schooling produces adults that lack social skills? I don't mean knee-jerk reactions like "they're kind of wierd" or "they seem awkward in some situations"... but actual proof that they are socially less successful than their public-schooled peers.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Is there any evidence to support the assumption that home schooling produces adults that lack social skills? I don't mean knee-jerk reactions like "they're kind of wierd" or "they seem awkward in some situations"... but actual proof that they are socially less successful than their public-schooled peers.

Just a question.....does it really matter if we present facts to support or debunk either side? Would it change your opinion? Probably not. I think all ways work, IF parents do their part in whichever way they endeavor to provide education for their children. There is no right way, wrong way, or better/worse way as far as home schooling, public or private schooling goes. Any way CAN work. Some work better than others for certain people.

 

[intricatic]

Is there any evidence to support the assumption that home schooling produces adults that lack social skills? I don't mean knee-jerk reactions like "they're kind of wierd" or "they seem awkward in some situations"... but actual proof that they are socially less successful than their public-schooled peers.

It really depends on the parents / teachers. I think the assumption is based on the idea that "home schooling" is more isolated from the kid's peers, whereas "public school" is, well, slightly more public. It can be a correct assumption for some situations, but far from all.

 

[Tamara224]

Just a question.....does it really matter if we present facts to support or debunk either side? Would it change your opinion? Probably not.

Well, I for one like to at least pretend that I'm not so closed minded that the facts wouldn't be able to change my opinion.

So, yeah, it matters. Do you have some facts to present? Or is this your way of saying that it doesn't matter to you? (It's alright if it doesn't, that's your perogative.)

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Well, I for one like to at least pretend that I'm not so closed minded that the facts wouldn't be able to change my opinion.

So, yeah, it matters. Do you have some facts to present? Or is this your way of saying that it doesn't matter to you? (It's alright if it doesn't, that's your perogative.)

Well no I don't have facts to present. ListeningEars was asking for facts. My opinion is that for most of us, even if we were presented with facts for or against home schooling it wouldn't change our opinions. I also do not consider myself to be "close minded" I know that you were not implying that I was, I state that only to say, that I used to be REALLY against home schooling, mainly because of the social aspects. But I HAVE changed my opinion, in the fact that I don't think it's wrong or bad per se, but my children still will not be home schooled. My son is in Jr High and he wishes he could do online school. Beside the fact that it is expensive, and he does fine in school (straight A's). I think at this time in his life it is crucial for him to have friends and socialization, so for those reasons I don't let him do that. Now if he chooses to do Online college when he graduates to get his degree, I won't be opposed to that at all.

 

[Niels]

Some work better than others for certain people.

I agree with you on this point. The education of children isn't a one size fits all proposition. That's why I think home schooling has a place. Some children aren't as likely to reach their potential in the typical cookie-cutter public school setting. They would benefit from a safer environment, and a more individualized learning plan that gives them the tools to succeed. Home schooling appears to provide these things, when done correctly.

 

[intricatic]

Well no I don't have facts to present. ListeningEars was asking for facts. My opinion is that for most of us, even if we were presented with facts for or against home schooling it wouldn't change our opinions. I also do not consider myself to be "close minded" I know that you were not implying that I was, I state that only to say, that I used to be REALLY against home schooling, mainly because of the social aspects. But I HAVE changed my opinion, in the fact that I don't think it's wrong or bad per se, but my children still will not be home schooled. My son is in Jr High and he wishes he could do online school. Beside the fact that it is expensive, and he does fine in school (straight A's). I think at this time in his life it is crucial for him to have friends and socialization, so for those reasons I don't let him do that. Now if he chooses to do Online college when he graduates to get his degree, I won't be opposed to that at all.

I dunno, I've always felt that facts weigh heavier than opinions do in terms of specific issues. Especially with this issue, though, I think each specific situation is unique in a lot of ways and can't be represented entirely accurately with facts and figures about a general population demographic, but those facts and figures do have a significant weight, regardless.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

I agree with you on this point. The education of children isn't a one size fits all proposition. That's why I think home schooling has a place. Some children aren't as likely to reach their potential in the typical cookie-cutter public school setting. They would benefit from a safer environment, and a more individualized learning plan that gives them the tools to succeed. Home schooling appears to provide these things, when done correctly.

I agree, that's why I changed my opinion from being totally against it, to it being OK for some.

I dunno, I've always felt that facts weigh heavier than opinions do in terms of specific issues. Especially with this issue, though, I think each specific situation is unique in a lot of ways and can't be represented entirely accurately with facts and figures about a general population demographic, but those facts and figures do have a significant weight, regardless.

While I agree that facts and figures may have a significant weight, no amount of facts and figures would change my feelings on my children being home schooled even IF I had the luxury of being able to stay home and home school them. And I don't think facts and figures alone ever change peoples opinions. Just my opinion

 

[trulyliving]

I've met a girl who was just finishing up homeschooling and had the same experience.

I was never homeschooled but felt awkward around other kids in PE classes. I don't think there's a necessary causality. I think some kids are just inherently more introverted and homeschooling is not necessarily the cause of it. I was very shy growing up and then just became social in high school. I moved around alot and developed my identity independent of my environment - so I know my character isn't a result of the type of school I attended. As an adult, I consider myself someone who can speak to different types of people, more so than someone for example, who went to public school and tend only be able to relate to others within mainstream pop culture. Just putting it out there....I'm just saying we can't really generalize...

Sorry --- this post was meant as a response to I think a Coach's post (it's somewhere in this thread) and the above quote was just a response to the Coach's post -- he was talking about how kids that he coached were obviously different from other kids and he could tell who was homeschooled; how homeschooled kids need to be able to relate with kids with other beliefs; and how he does not agree with homeschooling (sorry it's not word for word)

 

[SonicBOOM]

This is a different topic for the singles forum but I thought it would be interesting to get everyone's thoughts on the subject...

Were you home schooled or did you attend public school? If you were home schooled do you wish you would've gone to public school and vice versa? What do you think are the pros and cons of both? How do you want your children to be educated?

I have been talking about this subject with one of my friends that has children and I'm interested to get other thoughts on the subject...

I think it depends on the parent's motivation. i know some kids struggle alot to keep up in our "one-size-fits-all" mindset of public schools. though the more I see of this the more I see that alot of parents [mainly Christains] take the homeschool method as an attempt to hide their kids away from the real world. NOT good because that leaves the kid with an idea that there will always be an easy way out.... and there isn't always an easy way out.