public schools

[JoJo]

Well, looking back, I sometimes think that teaching my kids the fundamentals of mathematical analysis would be easier than teaching them to read!

 

[Nick]

As a parent of high school age students and a teacher in Adult education system in Australia, I find the whole idea of closing public schools demeaning to my profession.

The idea of home schooling is ok if you are in a remote area or the child is having socialising issues but generally a child within the public system is being taught by trained-professionals. I am not saying there arent bad teachers, there are. My sons have had a couple along the way but there are some fantastic ones as well. There is no way the average parent can correctly teach most subjects offered in a public school.

I think a more important issue would be the funding level in public schools rather than whether they should close.

The push for home-schooling on this forum appears to be a US phenomenon and is not even on the radar in Christian circles in that I move in. Is this push for homeschooling indicicative of the far right Christian movement in the US? If so I beleive it may fly in the face of our calling to evangalise non-believers. My sons attend a youth group and a lot of other children from non-christian homes from school are now attendees and even believers themselves. Where would these children be if our kids are home-schooled?

now there are even more points pushing for public schools that I didn't think of. I really can't see how homeschooling can be justified.

Well, looking back, I sometimes think that teaching my kids the fundamentals of mathematical analysis would be easier than teaching them to read!

I think it would be easier to teach maths because it's just right and wrong. Things like reading - it is much more creative and gives you more room to be creative. That makes it harder to teach. That's why we have specialist teachers, rather than parents doing thier best (which is probably not good enough).

 

[GojuBrian]

As a parent of high school age students and a teacher in Adult education system in Australia, I find the whole idea of closing public schools demeaning to my profession.

The idea of home schooling is ok if you are in a remote area or the child is having socialising issues but generally a child within the public system is being taught by trained-professionals. I am not saying there arent bad teachers, there are. My sons have had a couple along the way but there are some fantastic ones as well. There is no way the average parent can correctly teach most subjects offered in a public school.

I think a more important issue would be the funding level in public schools rather than whether they should close.

The push for home-schooling on this forum appears to be a US phenomenon and is not even on the radar in Christian circles in that I move in. Is this push for homeschooling indicicative of the far right Christian movement in the US? If so I beleive it may fly in the face of our calling to evangalise non-believers. My sons attend a youth group and a lot of other children from non-christian homes from school are now attendees and even believers themselves. Where would these children be if our kids are home-schooled?

Sorry you feel that way.

Define "Far right Christian movement." I don't know what you're getting at.

I think homeschooling is beneficial to those of us who seek less imposement of government ideals on our children.

I don't want my kids being given condoms.
I don't want my kids exposed to homosexual behavior as normal.
I don't want my kids indoctrinated with evolution.
I don't want my kids looked down upon because they want to pray.
Welcome to the forums!

 

[Nick]

far right = consrvative/republican

 

[handy]

While I have a strong inclination towards homeschooling, I disagree with doing it so you can control teaching them "what you want them to know". The fact is, someday, somehow, those kids are going to learn about the stuff you don't teach them. They're going to be told about evolution, other religions, and all the other stuff. Additionally, and this might sound crazy, but I'm not opposed to teaching these things to kids. I have ALWAYS believed in the pursuit of knowledge, and whatever that knowledge is, be it truth or falsehood, can be of some benefit to us at some point in life.

What we really need to teach kids is how to discern what information to rely upon and what information not to. If we do this, then we don't have to worry about what our kids hear and learn, because we've instilled in them the ability to say "I don't believe this, and here's why..."

Critical thinking is fast becoming a lost art. We all (including the public school system) have gotten so caught up with the things we do or don't teach kids that we forget the most important part is to teach kids how to think and reason for themselves.

Just my two cents.

I so agree with you on this W4H! As a matter of fact, I was visiting this thread with the idea of posting almost exactly what you've said here. My kids are going to have to know evolution, other religions etc. and teaching kids how to discern truth from fiction and critical thinking is exactly what we should be doing. I've already taught my 9 and 11 year old the fundamentals of the theory of evolution as well as basic sex education. If these things do come up in class, and as they definitely will come up in their lives at some point, they will already have the basics down and have a foundation of Biblical teaching to help them discern truth from fiction as they learn it.

However, I would say that if my younger kids were in a school in which their teacher showed disdain and disrespect towards Christianity as these issues were taught, then I would do something. Pull them from school and home school? Maybe. Go down and meet with the teacher and administrators, absolutely!

However, in all the schooling I had, and all the schooling my kids and my nieces and nephews had, we never once came into conflict with a teacher that undermined our family's values when it came to teaching these subjects and we are more than capable of teaching them what the Bible has to say regarding these things. Not to say that others shouldn't be on the look out for that, or that we won't have to deal with it in the future, but I know I didn't have any conflict like that myself until I got into college and college age kids should be grounded in a firm enough foundation to handle it.

And, yep, I've homeschooled my daughter, but not because we had a problem with the school undermining our values. And, yep, it was really, really hard.

 

[kenan]

That's the way I see it as well. I just think that creationsim should be taught alongside it.

Fair enough. I think that they should definitely teach contrasting approaches to the beginning of all things and evolution, if nothing else it would give students greater insight into the differing beliefs and theories that are held in regard to that topic. It'd also generate some interesting exam questions and answers.

Interesting point you raise, *ponders*

Well, I hope you get the point I'm trying to make. I think that science class should be as secular as possible because all that will result is confusion on where science starts and where religion begins. As I said, it also alienates a number of other traditions which may not be correct, but the adherents of those traditions are entitled to their beliefs in our democratic and free society.

I'm not sure if they're more qualifieed at private schools, but private schools are getting so much more funding and so much more facilities it is out of proportion to the more qualified teachers, assuming that the teachers are more qualified. Even if all the teachers had a PhD, I don't think this amount of funding is necessary.

I was only giving that answer as a possible solution to the question: I don't know if private school teachers are more qualified or better than public school teachers. But I agree with the point you're raising, that private schools get funds which are very disproportionate to the funds received by some public schools.

However, I think it's interesting that at least half of the faculty at my school have a PhD and most, if not all of them, have completed post graduate studies of some kind. I dunno if that makes a difference or not.

I'm not sure about Knox's swimming, but I don't hear much about it. Anyway that's a lot of money to put into a school that is already in the top three most prestegious schools in the country, leaving less well off schools even less well off. It's sickening. But guess where all the polititions' kids go? That's right, the private schools.

Yeah, I agree with that. I don't have much to say on the matter because I don't know why private school get more money than public schools.

I'm not sure if it was that long, but it was too long to be waiting for such a basic school need. I agree, taht Mt Druitt isn't exaclty the most academic area of Sydney (not by a long shot) but it does have some bright people and does deserve to have good education facilities. If we did educate more of that area, then perhaps it might not be such a bad area after all.

That's what I thought.

And yes, the real issue here is an inefficient state government.

Agreed.

But getting the government to do this will be extemely hard. I dare say it unfortuneately is never going to happen

I think that it could definitely happen, because almost everyone I've talked to about it is against it and there's definitely a negative view of the state government by the media. However, if anything were to happen, it wouldn't happen in the next few years because of the state of the economy: a lot of money would probably have to be tossed around, and jobs lost and gained to transfer the various important sectors that the state government "governs" to the federal government.

I foresee a period of political change in Australia in the near future (the next decade and beyond).

 

[jasoncran]

That's the way I see it as well. I just think that creationsim should be taught alongside it.

Fair enough. I think that they should definitely teach contrasting approaches to the beginning of all things and evolution, if nothing else it would give students greater insight into the differing beliefs and theories that are held in regard to that topic. It'd also generate some interesting exam questions and answers.

Interesting point you raise, *ponders*

Well, I hope you get the point I'm trying to make. I think that science class should be as secular as possible because all that will result is confusion on where science starts and where religion begins. As I said, it also alienates a number of other traditions which may not be correct, but the adherents of those traditions are entitled to their beliefs in our democratic and free society.

[quote:1n08f3zm]I'm not sure if they're more qualifieed at private schools, but private schools are getting so much more funding and so much more facilities it is out of proportion to the more qualified teachers, assuming that the teachers are more qualified. Even if all the teachers had a PhD, I don't think this amount of funding is necessary.

I was only giving that answer as a possible solution to the question: I don't know if private school teachers are more qualified or better than public school teachers. But I agree with the point you're raising, that private schools get funds which are very disproportionate to the funds received by some public schools.

However, I think it's interesting that at least half of the faculty at my school have a PhD and most, if not all of them, have completed post graduate studies of some kind. I dunno if that makes a difference or not.

I'm not sure about Knox's swimming, but I don't hear much about it. Anyway that's a lot of money to put into a school that is already in the top three most prestegious schools in the country, leaving less well off schools even less well off. It's sickening. But guess where all the polititions' kids go? That's right, the private schools.

Yeah, I agree with that. I don't have much to say on the matter because I don't know why private school get more money than public schools.

I'm not sure if it was that long, but it was too long to be waiting for such a basic school need. I agree, taht Mt Druitt isn't exaclty the most academic area of Sydney (not by a long shot) but it does have some bright people and does deserve to have good education facilities. If we did educate more of that area, then perhaps it might not be such a bad area after all.

That's what I thought.

And yes, the real issue here is an inefficient state government.

Agreed.

But getting the government to do this will be extemely hard. I dare say it unfortuneately is never going to happen

I think that it could definitely happen, because almost everyone I've talked to about it is against it and there's definitely a negative view of the state government by the media. However, if anything were to happen, it wouldn't happen in the next few years because of the state of the economy: a lot of money would probably have to be tossed around, and jobs lost and gained to transfer the various important sectors that the state government "governs" to the federal government.

I foresee a period of political change in Australia in the near future (the next decade and beyond).[/quote:1n08f3zm]

You raised some good points, Nick and kenan, years ago in the 70' s two friends of mine were pulled out of school and were homeschooled, their parents were arrested then after court all charges were dropped,and they were allow to continue homeschooling, and they did for a while,the kids, Mat and Faith, were put back into public, and both were put ahead a grade. Their parents were biologists and made the time.

I believe in homeschooling if you're able to do it, in Fl the homeschoolers must still adhere to state standards and all tests given are reviewed. Not every parent can do that, and BTW some athiest homeschool as well. I heard about that but never met them.

 

[Nick]

I think that it could definitely happen, because almost everyone I've talked to about it is against it and there's definitely a negative view of the state government by the media. However, if anything were to happen, it wouldn't happen in the next few years because of the state of the economy: a lot of money would probably have to be tossed around, and jobs lost and gained to transfer the various important sectors that the state government "governs" to the federal government.

I foresee a period of political change in Australia in the near future (the next decade and beyond).

I think it could definately happen if the people voted for it. What I was getting at is that it would be extemely hard to actually get the government to start the ball rolling. If they did, they would probably lose a lot of friends in parliament. Too bad that's all they see, and not what's the best for the people. Not all the time, but it certainly seems that way a lot of the time.

 

[kenan]

I think it could definately happen if the people voted for it. What I was getting at is that it would be extemely hard to actually get the government to start the ball rolling. If they did, they would probably lose a lot of friends in parliament. Too bad that's all they see, and not what's the best for the people. Not all the time, but it certainly seems that way a lot of the time.

I think only time would tell: the question of republicanism in Australia was probably unheard of before WWII, and probably long after (perhaps during the Vietnam War). But, according to polls, many Australians would prefer that Australia become a republic before Charles took the throne. Opinions change, it just takes time.

 

[NooneSpecial]

Public schools really need to be cleaned up. Especially in certain parts of the U.S.

In areas, such as much of the southern territory educational value is rather poor in comparison to that of other states. Also when it comes to programs outside of sports.... a number of schools do not give them much financial backing for one reason or other. Sports are good in terms of helping a child stay fit and giving them the involvement with their peers that is much needed to form good social skills. At the same time, art and certain other programs have been found to be good forms of emotional release. Everyone needs an outlet so to cut off some of these to fund sports which are not necessarily a real means of a solid future profession seems rather harmful to the youth of today. Not to mention as I have mentioned before....most schools are rather poor in their care and educating of those who are disabled. Too many public schools now days treat their disabled students as if they were nothing more than babies to be baby sat, rather than actual individuals who have special needs. No doubt the care, provision, and education of these unique souls is a bit more challenging....however, it CAN be done.

If anything....schools today need a serious cleaning, let alone wake up call.

 

[Aero_Hudson]

As a Mother of 2 young children, I believe that Homeschooling is the way to go. I feel that if my children are homeschooled then I can teach them what I want them to know and I won't have to worry about what is being taught to them in public schools.

While I have a strong inclination towards homeschooling, I disagree with doing it so you can control teaching them "what you want them to know". The fact is, someday, somehow, those kids are going to learn about the stuff you don't teach them. They're going to be told about evolution, other religions, and all the other stuff. Additionally, and this might sound crazy, but I'm not opposed to teaching these things to kids. I have ALWAYS believed in the pursuit of knowledge, and whatever that knowledge is, be it truth or falsehood, can be of some benefit to us at some point in life.

What we really need to teach kids is how to discern what information to rely upon and what information not to. If we do this, then we don't have to worry about what our kids hear and learn, because we've instilled in them the ability to say "I don't believe this, and here's why..."

Critical thinking is fast becoming a lost art. We all (including the public school system) have gotten so caught up with the things we do or don't teach kids that we forget the most important part is to teach kids how to think and reason for themselves.

Just my two cents.

Completely agree with you! Personally, there are things I do not want to spoon feed my kids on and I want them to make their own educated decision when they are old enough. I believe that Christianity is one of these issues. I cannot force them to be Christians. I can explain what some believe and what their Dad believes. At the end of the day, they have to make their own call.

I also want to expose my children to the real world. Coming in contact with children of all races, religions and cultures helps dovetail them into society and teaches them tolerance, critical thinking and unity in many ways. I believe that an education outside of the home is critical to the development of my kids.

I also feel that public schools should teach outside of the realm of religious doctrine. If it is not grounded in science or academics it should not be taught. It is my job to teach them about religion, Christianity and other forms of belief systems and to also help them create a sound value system. Creationism has no place in the public school system nor any other religious practices. School is about becoming educated so you can be successful in the world. It is not Sunday school nor should it be. It is my role as a parent to have my children partake in these activities if I wish them and they wish to.

My kids have had a fantastic experience to this point in the public school system and they are the better for it. I have had no controversy or issues over sex education, condoning gay behavior, being given condoms, "indoctrinated" with evolution, nor looked down upon for any reason. Personally, I think in most cases these are fears that are unrealized and unrealstic.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Mark62]

I cannot seriously believe that some seem so sincere with the idea of closing public schools. As Christians I believe we should be supporting public schooling and encouraging increased funding, no matter where we are from, for a number of reasons.

Educational: On my first ever post I mentioned I am a teacher in vocational adult education. (Banking & Finance). My wife has a degree in music and teaches piano & flute. But how can we hope to effectively teach our children subjects outside our sphere of experience and training such as the sciences, English etc. Our eldest son who is almost 17 has made a decision to go into web design and web development. We could not hope to provide him with the teaching, experience, mentoring and resources that his public school has provided him. And tothose many who aren't teachers like me? How can you honestly hope to teach effectively, no more than I can perform a medical operation without the proper training?

Social Justice: By closing public schools surely we are becoming elitist. Those in our society who may have limited opportunity would be denied a basic social & human right through the withdrawal of universal education and we would be on a slippery slope to educational elitism. mmm sounds like the Middle Ages all over again, let's start burn a few witches again while we are there.

Evangelical: To those who are pro-homeschooling, think about this question:

How many relationships do you and your children have with non-christians that have their origins in the local school community?

Our church is on a church-planting program as a way of furthering the Gospel in Sydney (St Pauls Anglican Carlingford). Two of our church plants have been in nearby public schools, renting the school hall every Sunday. Some of the families at our church already go to the school. Both churches have grown to the point where our first church plant has now started an Sunday evening service. A lot of this growth is a result of christian families being active within their local public school community, not withdrawing from it. That's right otehr non-church going families are now coming to church at the school on a Sunday.

Our church runs a great youth program. A good number of those teenagers attending are from non-christian homes. Why? Because our kids (church families' kids) have asked them along. One good friend of my eldest son was Muslim. He is now a Christian and helps run the music ministry at youth group. Where would he be if we all home-schooled our kids?

Conclusion

Our we so, so selfish and so underestimating in our influence as parents, so insecure in our faith and so ill-trusting in God's love and protection that we want to withdraw our kids from normal society all because science teachers are asked to teach Evolution? This is the chance to engage our young men and women in discussion and debate at home about what they learn and help equip them for life, not cocoon them.

Do some of us actually think that our public schools are really such a cesspit of sin, heretical thought and a tool for Satan's minions when our fellow brothers & sisters in other countries are physically persecuted and killed for their faith??

Time for a reality check? Maybe we might be better getting involved in our school communities as active parents and engage teachers, other parents and students. We won't be able to change the syllabus, so don't bother. Get on with something far more important: growing God's Kingdom and have some more faith in your own child's faith.

 

[JoJo]

I allow my kids to attend public school because we have no viable alternative at this time, but I know that some of the social aspects (in addition to worldly teachings) can be dangerous for our children. For instance, there is a growing trend of bisexuality in my daughter's high school, along with the traditional temptations of drugs and alcohol.

My daughter, bless her heart, has remained pretty strong against peer pressure and temptation. I am so grateful for her maturity and wisdom, but many of her friends are weak and they are suffering for it. I believe that homeschoolers have an advantage over public schooled kids in that they don't face many of the temptations in the mainstream.

 

[RKolton]

Sorry you feel that way.

Define "Far right Christian movement." I don't know what you're getting at.

I think homeschooling is beneficial to those of us who seek less imposement of government ideals on our children.

I don't want my kids being given condoms.
I don't want my kids exposed to homosexual behavior as normal.
I don't want my kids indoctrinated with evolution.
I don't want my kids looked down upon because they want to pray.
Welcome to the forums![/quote]


I can't agree with you more. I don't want to have to "un-teach" my children when they get home from school. To know of the things they teach children in public schools is disturbing.

 

[jasoncran]

Sorry you feel that way.

Define "Far right Christian movement." I don't know what you're getting at.

I think homeschooling is beneficial to those of us who seek less imposement of government ideals on our children.

I don't want my kids being given condoms.
I don't want my kids exposed to homosexual behavior as normal.
I don't want my kids indoctrinated with evolution.
I don't want my kids looked down upon because they want to pray.
Welcome to the forums!

I can't agree with you more. I don't want to have to "un-teach" my children when they get home from school. To know of the things they teach children in public schools is disturbing.[/quote]

alot of truth there as well, but we can vote for change along with prayer(primarily). I see both sides of the issues and do believe that it's utilamelty up to parents to raise their kids in the proper biblical way. Along these lines should christians go to a secular college, it's up to each person, I did and when i heard bout evolution , i listned and learned the opposing view, but it didn't change my mind.

On the elists thing all the kids who have wealthy families generally are in private schools,a far cry above the public school system as private schools do kick the unruly ones out, and chose who they accept. I live in a"rich" county but i grew up in middle class family and went to the public schools.

Jason

 

[Nick]

As a Mother of 2 young children, I believe that Homeschooling is the way to go. I feel that if my children are homeschooled then I can teach them what I want them to know and I won't have to worry about what is being taught to them in public schools.

While I have a strong inclination towards homeschooling, I disagree with doing it so you can control teaching them "what you want them to know". The fact is, someday, somehow, those kids are going to learn about the stuff you don't teach them. They're going to be told about evolution, other religions, and all the other stuff. Additionally, and this might sound crazy, but I'm not opposed to teaching these things to kids. I have ALWAYS believed in the pursuit of knowledge, and whatever that knowledge is, be it truth or falsehood, can be of some benefit to us at some point in life.

What we really need to teach kids is how to discern what information to rely upon and what information not to. If we do this, then we don't have to worry about what our kids hear and learn, because we've instilled in them the ability to say "I don't believe this, and here's why..."

Critical thinking is fast becoming a lost art. We all (including the public school system) have gotten so caught up with the things we do or don't teach kids that we forget the most important part is to teach kids how to think and reason for themselves.

Just my two cents.

Completely agree with you! Personally, there are things I do not want to spoon feed my kids on and I want them to make their own educated decision when they are old enough. I believe that Christianity is one of these issues. I cannot force them to be Christians. I can explain what some believe and what their Dad believes. At the end of the day, they have to make their own call.

I also want to expose my children to the real world. Coming in contact with children of all races, religions and cultures helps dovetail them into society and teaches them tolerance, critical thinking and unity in many ways. I believe that an education outside of the home is critical to the development of my kids.

I also feel that public schools should teach outside of the realm of religious doctrine. If it is not grounded in science or academics it should not be taught. It is my job to teach them about religion, Christianity and other forms of belief systems and to also help them create a sound value system. Creationism has no place in the public school system nor any other religious practices. School is about becoming educated so you can be successful in the world. It is not Sunday school nor should it be. It is my role as a parent to have my children partake in these activities if I wish them and they wish to.

My kids have had a fantastic experience to this point in the public school system and they are the better for it. I have had no controversy or issues over sex education, condoning gay behavior, being given condoms, "indoctrinated" with evolution, nor looked down upon for any reason. Personally, I think in most cases these are fears that are unrealized and unrealstic.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Works4Him]

Ultimately, I think we all have to agree that there is no cookie cutter, one size fits all approach to how to teach kids. The bottom line is that every child is different, and as such, some kids will learn better in public schools while others learn best in private schools, and still others will excel the most if homeschooled It's up to each parent to determine how their child learns best, and to place them in that environment.

I will also kindly suggest that people consider their words as they choose to confront one style of education or another. I've seen a great deal of homeschool-bashing in this thread for example.

Claims have been made that are really just silly. Someone said that drawing kids out of "normal" social situations (referring to public school) leads to social misdevelopment? Some of my most sociable friends were homeschooled their whole lives. I managed to grow up, get married, and start leading a ministry. I guess I turned out pretty socially healthy. Plus, how "normal" is a high school classroom? The last time I was in one was in my public high school days. The real world doesn't work like a school.

Another claim was along the lines of parents can't be good teachers, especially if they're not trained educators. My mom was a high school dropout single mom just starting the process of getting her bachelor's degree when she was homeschooling me in my later high school years. Every semester in college, I made the dean's list. One of my best friends in college was homeschooled all his life. He spoke three languages by the time he was 6, and was reading Shakespeare by the time he was 10!

My point is that for every anecdotal story people here can make in regards to how awful homeschooling must be, I can make an equally impressive statement to it's success. But in honesty, the fact is that for some kids, homeschooling is just the way to go. For others, they may not have what it takes to learn in that environment and for them public or private schools are the best option.

Now, back in the 40's, my grandpa was a public school teacher out on the South Dakota Prairies. Of course in those days, he taught from a one-room schoolhouse, where all the kids from k-12 were in the same room together. Sure, he taught those kids the three r's, and he made sure they all learned facts and information, but the thing my grandpa really did well, and the thing he instilled in me growing up was that he instilled a love for learning in people. He wasn't just telling them about events, he made them feel them. Growing up, when he was teaching me about Morse code and the telegraph, he didn't just make me read a book, he pulled the buzzer element and 9 volt plug out of a smoke detector, and helped me wire up a telegraph machine that i could tap out codes on. He made learning fun, and made me want to learn. More than that, he taught me HOW to learn.

Now, grandpa's not around anymore, but if he were, I know he wouldn't be happy with the current condition of public education (heck, he wasn't happy with it in the late 80's before he died). But even so, I don't think he would give up on it completely, because for some kids, it does work. For my grandpa, the important thing to him wasn't where you went to learn, it what that when you left that place, you wanted to continue learning. And so whatever system you pick for your kids, be it public, private, charter, or home education, if they finish the school day and they're still primed to grow, it's the right place for them.

 

[jasoncran]

Ultimately, I think we all have to agree that there is no cookie cutter, one size fits all approach to how to teach kids. The bottom line is that every child is different, and as such, some kids will learn better in public schools while others learn best in private schools, and still others will excel the most if homeschooled It's up to each parent to determine how their child learns best, and to place them in that environment.

I will also kindly suggest that people consider their words as they choose to confront one style of education or another. I've seen a great deal of homeschool-bashing in this thread for example.

Claims have been made that are really just silly. Someone said that drawing kids out of "normal" social situations (referring to public school) leads to social misdevelopment? Some of my most sociable friends were homeschooled their whole lives. I managed to grow up, get married, and start leading a ministry. I guess I turned out pretty socially healthy. Plus, how "normal" is a high school classroom? The last time I was in one was in my public high school days. The real world doesn't work like a school.

Another claim was along the lines of parents can't be good teachers, especially if they're not trained educators. My mom was a high school dropout single mom just starting the process of getting her bachelor's degree when she was homeschooling me in my later high school years. Every semester in college, I made the dean's list. One of my best friends in college was homeschooled all his life. He spoke three languages by the time he was 6, and was reading Shakespeare by the time he was 10!

My point is that for every anecdotal story people here can make in regards to how awful homeschooling must be, I can make an equally impressive statement to it's success. But in honesty, the fact is that for some kids, homeschooling is just the way to go. For others, they may not have what it takes to learn in that environment and for them public or private schools are the best option.

Now, back in the 40's, my grandpa was a public school teacher out on the South Dakota Prairies. Of course in those days, he taught from a one-room schoolhouse, where all the kids from k-12 were in the same room together. Sure, he taught those kids the three r's, and he made sure they all learned facts and information, but the thing my grandpa really did well, and the thing he instilled in me growing up was that he instilled a love for learning in people. He wasn't just telling them about events, he made them feel them. Growing up, when he was teaching me about Morse code and the telegraph, he didn't just make me read a book, he pulled the buzzer element and 9 volt plug out of a smoke detector, and helped me wire up a telegraph machine that i could tap out codes on. He made learning fun, and made me want to learn. More than that, he taught me HOW to learn.

Now, grandpa's not around anymore, but if he were, I know he wouldn't be happy with the current condition of public education (heck, he wasn't happy with it in the late 80's before he died). But even so, I don't think he would give up on it completely, because for some kids, it does work. For my grandpa, the important thing to him wasn't where you went to learn, it what that when you left that place, you wanted to continue learning. And so whatever system you pick for your kids, be it public, private, charter, or home education, if they finish the school day and they're still primed to grow, it's the right place for them.

I was going to say that but you said it better, i never claimed that parents can't teach, only that some may not have the ability or time or the financial werewithal to do it. One spouse must stay home or work part time while the other works two or more jobs. Single parents maybe, it would be a miracle in my opinion.

Thank you for teaching me on homeschooling though, i learned a little more about it works4him

 

[paisley]

I think when we talk about closing or keeping public schools we have to remember that we are making a decision for a much broader group of people than just our own children. If the population was a primarily a healthy, active Christian population or a population with little divorce and strong families, I would say close the public schools, give the money back to the parents and let them decide how to educate their own children with ZERO interference or dictation from the government. If they want to pool their money together and create their own community schools, then go for it, or homeschool or whatever.

Unfortunately the population as a whole isn`t healthy so public schools have to stay. For some children school is their refuge away from hunger, alcohol, drugs, and abuse in the home. For other children, they have a good life but if their parents were forced into the situation of having to care for their kids 24/7, the parents may become abusive because today`s society has not been brought up to know how to manage the stress of children and home. There are also way too many single parents who could not take care of their children and provide for them at the same time. These children would be wondering all over the streets getting into trouble with no supervision or training of what is right and wrong or they would be locked up in the home which is also unhealthy. We have created a society that needs a government babysitter which in many ways is what school is. I think based on the circumstances, reform would be the best idea by putting educational decisions back in the hands of the community rather than the government.

 

[jasoncran]

Paisley obviously you're right, but what's your opinion on charter schools.