Comments on: Your thoughts on homeschooling

By: Wilfred Pelch

Wilfred Pelch — Fri, 27 May 2011 21:18:13 +0000

Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is excellent blog. A fantastic read. I will certainly be back.

By: J.D.

J.D. — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 22:41:23 +0000

I’ve been reading the continuing blog this afternoon as I sit in my office at one of the state’s research universities. In response to Bruce and those who see homeschooling from his viewpoint –Many of my colleagues (yes they have PhDs) in the sciences, mathematics and engineering fields have chosen to homeschool their children. Somehow I don’t think that choice was to hold them back! Rather it is the chance to fly and explore. Often our challenge as educators is to stay out of the way and let learning happen. Challenge is the best motivator.

My son has witnessed live birth of a water snake, built working robots, learned to fly (really fly airplanes) as well as being steeped Bill Gates’ 3 Rs–Rigor, Relevance and Relationships. In addition he played Center for a homeschool basketball team with the son of an engineering professor and was coached by a former homeschooler who will soon graduate in engineering.

My wife has given the last 18 years to educate our three sons. She could not have done anything that would have had a more lasting impact and greater legacy.

On cause and effect– I believe that the most important piece of the equation are the involved parent(s) who holds themselves accountable for their children’s education. The method that is best for that child should be used but we can never relinquish our responsibility for the education of our children. If we hire others (public or private) we must supplement and hold **the school and the child** accountable for reaching their potential.

By: Vanessa

Vanessa — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 05:14:22 +0000

Through 6 years of college the only guy who had enough guts to ask me out on a date, point blank, at the end of class was a kid who had been 100% homeschooled and was at the top of our college chemistry class. Bravo homeschooling parents!

By: David Williams

David Williams — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 04:01:59 +0000

Bruce, I’m not sure if you have had the chance the check this board again, and if so I would love to engage in some feedback from you on the sourcing of your information, as David on post #10 asked for as well. For the sake of my post, however, I want to just assume that all of your statements are well-founded and will suppose that you indeed did do your research. As a businessman from the Tulsa area, I have had the chance to visit with homeschoolers from all over the country in my various travels. I have indeed had the chance to see situations where parents were unwilling to allow their children to engage in any social activities other than Sunday morning church, and to be fair to you, it’s important to note that your concerns do take place in each and every state in America. Unfortunately, it is common that on average it only takes two encounters with certain social groups (such as homeschoolers) before presuppositions and stereotypes are reached. I’m afraid it could very well be you have not yet had the chance to meet any successful, booming, working-in-the-world, graduated-from-college, financially successful, open-minded, creative, and emotionally independent people who just happened to be educated at home. Rather, I’m guessing, that you have encountered situations where homeschooling alone seems to be the focus, rather than the means by which children are educated to better prepare them for college, family life, and beyond. You may have met and observed many more Homeschool families than two, but for my family and friends who express the same opinions as you do, I ask them only to answer a few questions for me. I would love it if you would be kind enough to reply to my questions, in route to having an open discussion on a very important issue to both sides:

-Do you believe it is possible to give a mentally stable child a better education at home; even within a good school district; even with parents who do not hold teaching degrees? Why, or why not?
-Is there any way the public school system could limit the development of a student to the point where they wouldn’t be ready for college? Did you have any public school classmates who held menial jobs after graduating and never went to college?
-Do you think is it audacious for any parent to claim they know their child better than anyone else?
-Is it possible a parent could have a better idea of what learning styles and techniques work best for their child’s educational development?
-Is it too cautious for parents to not want their children to learn life’s lessons from someone they will never know well? Would you feel comfortable letting your child spend forty hours a week (more time than you get to spend with them) at a neighbor’s house without knowing what kind of people your neighbors were, and what influences they would have on your children?
-In your personal experience, did you feel the classroom time in public school was used wisely?
-Did you feel all of your teachers excelled at what they did and were excited to be there?
-Do you think you could have finished your school work in a more timely fashion if you were the only student? What would you have done with this extra time?

Just as much as there may be advantages to attending public school, it is also important to distinguish the many benefits of education at home. Unfortunately, I’m afraid this issue is not as one-sided as you might suppose. I’m anxious to continue our discussion, and hope you are having a great start to the week!

By: monica

monica — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 22:58:43 +0000

I am a former public shool teacher and have chosen to homeschool my own children because I know first hand that as well-intentioned, hard working, and dedicated as the teachers are out there, one can simply NOT reach the needs of 25-30 students like one can meet the needs of 2-8 children. Homeschooling has proven itself through results. In fact, I have never had anyone ask me “Aren’t you worried about their academics?” when they find out I homeschool. It is always “What about their socialization?” The first question we should ask ourselves is “What is the purpose of school?” Is it not to educate? Secondly, Dr. John Wesley Taylor conducted a nationwide study on the self-concept of homeschool students versus public school students according to the Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale and the homeschool students scored significantly higher on ALL six subscales! In addition, 98% of homeschool students are involved in 2 or more activities which allow plenty of peer interaction. And my memory may fail me, but I do not recall a single news story where a homeschool student has shot his peers during his/her highschool or college years yet I don’t hear people questioning the socialization of public school children. I think the only reasonable explanation for the resistance towards homeschooling is the fear of the unknown because if anyone truly examines homeschooling they will find benefit upon benefit.

By: John Brough

John Brough — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:31:55 +0000

The Oklahoman sports section in today’s paper (March 17, 2008) states that “Homeschool championships a success”. The article goes on to state that one young lady has signed on to play for Iowa State and another is being recruited by women’s college basketball’s big two – UConn and Tennessee. Not bad for children who were homeschooled. I guess Bruce’s comment about college is lame at best.

By: Andrea Pflughoft

Andrea Pflughoft — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 01:37:10 +0000

I am so proud to live in a state that allows me, as the parent, to decide what educational option is best for my children.
I don’t have a teaching degree, but I do invest time educating myself on the best ways to inspire my children, facilitate their learning, and increase the strength of their character. I, and the many homeschooling parents I have met, take this responsibility very seriously. Sometimes it is scary to think that this responsibility is fully on my shoulders. I don’t have anyone to blame if they “don’t turn out right”, but I feel the Lord led us to this lifestyle and He constantly puts resources, encouragement, knowledge, people, classes, etc. in our path.
I strongly believe that parents should always have the ability to choose what is best for their children. Homeschooling is not for everyone, but for those who would thrive with that option I’m thankful it is available.

By: Cindy Nicolai

Cindy Nicolai — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 03:36:21 +0000

Rasonja. You go, girl! What a great analogy. What you stated is so true. In most instances, I have found that the majority of homeschool families are not anti-public or government school. We are not, nor do we want to be enemies of the state run education. We simply want the right to train and educate our own children, as you so eloquently put it, “on a different playing field.” It isn’t a competition. It isn’t about who is best, and one-upping each other. It is simply about freedom of choice. Freedom to educate our children by (as stated in our Constitution) “any other means.”

By: Lorrie Raetz

Lorrie Raetz — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 20:10:11 +0000

I couldn’t agree more with Cindy and RaSonja! We currently homeschool both our children. Our oldest will be in 10th grade and the youngest will be a 5th grader next fall. We began our homeschool journey six years ago. It was out of necessity over a serious health issue that my daughter had. She was allergic to the mold in the old worn out, underground, elementary school she attended. Actually I can say with full assurance that the Lord used that illness to bring our family down the path of homechooling. You see, I was once like Bruce-ignorant! Ignorant of what homeschooling was really all about. You can say my husband and I have come full circle regarding homeschooling. We are all for it and can see the positive benefits academically, socially and in every other way also. The Lord has laid it upon our hearts to place our oldest in public school next year. You know…… it is kind of hard to let go and do that. I love having her around. Not sure why or what the Lord has in store for our family this next fall. But we’ll be obedient and UNSELFISH as we can be and place her back in public ed. My ladies Bible study class at church has prayed that she will be salt and light in school next year. Homeschooling them both has given us more opportunities to ground them in their faith and let them figure out why they believe what they believe. In doing so we believe she will be very grounded in her morals and faith. That is something that they will carry with them thru the years.

Another issue we face is our awesome little guy is AD/HD. I know without a doubt that if he were in public ed. that he would be considered a handful and probably given and IEP or special ed. I am thankful those programs are available for kids. But our son doesn’t need it. With the teacher / student ratio the way it is in classrooms today I know our son would have had a label slapped on him real fast. In our homeschool we have the privilege of customizing our children’s curriculum to their particular learning style. Our son wouldn’t cut it sitting in a desk all day working on a cookie cutter curriculum. Curriculum is not a one size fits all. Our daughter can handle that type of curriculum for the most part – our son cannot. On the flip side of that issue our daughter was tested (at the schools request-not ours) in the gifted and talented in the first grade(she was in public ed from K-3rd). She ranked in the top 4% in the U.S. on that test. They (her teacher) told us they knew she was bored and needed to go on with school work but couldn’t. The reason was that many times the teacher had 25+ kids to get quieted down and then deal with discipline issues in class and the kids ( like my daughter) just sat waiting and waiting. At home- class size is not an issue. Our daughter can have classes that challenge her- again customizing her curriculum as needed. Both our kids are very social. Our daughter is in band, youth choir, fairly accomplished pianist, has dance lessons and just made it on the cheerleading squad and made it on as an alternate on the competitive squad for the public school she will be attending next year. She aspires to go to college and knows what she wants to do with her life. Our son was in the homeschool choir, plays a little bit of piano and will be in the homeschool band next. He is actively involved in karate where he is a first degree red belt. He goes to karate 3 days a week. There are only two days a week that they aren’t around other kids. So the whole issue of socialization is blown completely our of proportion!! Our little guy isn’t sure about college. He is still young and doesn’t fully grasp what it is all about. He says right now he wants to work with his daddy on our sod farm. He wants to take over the business one day. College may or may not be in his future. But both our children have had the privilege of seeing their dad build a business from scratch and make it a very successful one at that. The saw this firsthand because they were homeschooled. Also, they’ve been apart of our prayertime regarding certain issues with our business. Because they were home with us we could/ can just stop and pray at any given time during the day. Another perk of homescooling you might say.

I also echo the above requests at wanting to know where Bruce obtained his information. Wherever it was he was sadly misinformed!

By: Dana Wilson

Dana Wilson — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 19:37:18 +0000

Rasonja makes a valid point. In my experience, the comparisons routinely originate with the parents of children in government education, engendering defensive postures on the part of home educators. Ideally, all parents would make thoughtful, well-founded decisions regarding all areas of child training. This would enable them to proceed with confidence in their chosen methods without feeling the need to attack or defend, and to be a source of encouragement for their friends and relatives who make different child training decisions.

Maybe someday.