Homeschooling - Is It Effective?

Hello ATS,

I am sure there are many people on here who have considerable experience in home-schooling. Do you think this is a good idea? What are the factors it depends on? Thanks!

Depends on the parent and the kid. Some homeschool programs have like a once a week get together so kids don't miss out on social contact. I did homeschool in 7th grade and did pretty well but missed my friends. I also did homeschool my senior year in highschool, I was getting buried in homework, I graduated early though once I switch over so its all goood.

The kids who are home schooled usually learn more, and remember it longer. It does however kill social interaction usually. With a balance of unsupervised interaction with other children it balances out. They emulate the people they are around the most.

I think it depends on the kid. If you've got kids that need a lot of individual attention to do good, kids who are really advanced for their age, or have a really bad school system (like lots of violence/bunches of that zero tolerance crap going on), then it's probably a better deal for your child.

As for socializing, that is a major obstacle. On the other hand, if you've got an egghead like I was, it's probably better for them that they miss that type of socialization.

I don't have much time this morning so I'll make this short.
I have been home schooling my daughter with an online school for 3 years. Before that she was in a brick and morter (BM) school.
It's not a perfect program, but it sure beats the hell out of the BM school. I am not qualified to teach advanced math and can not afford the equipment for a proper science education. This online school provides all of her textbooks, science lab equip. and even a computer if needed. FREE. That's right. I said free. She has a teacher we can call 24/7 with questions or for help with a specific subject.
By going through the accredited online school she must pass the state mandated tests to get a diploma and that way, if she decides to attend college, it wont be a problem getting in.
The curriculum is very flexible. She has to pass the required courses but we can augment the lessons any way we like to make it more interesting and enriching. The online school has field trips and monthly meetups so the kids can get to know each other and form relationships. Last year we had a school sponsered campout at Bastrop State Park, which was wonderful.
She can do school whenever she likes during the day as long as she gets the hours required by the state.
We can take the laptop and do school anywhere we can pick up a wi-fi connection.
They have an advanced learners program as well as help for learning disabled kids.

I don't have time for more but if you would like to U2U me I can discuss it with you.
We love homeschooling.
People who are worried about socialising are just buying into the propaganda put out by the public school system
that wants to indoctrinate their kids. If you want socialisation, join scouts or the YMCA or something.


~Neysa

It was effective 200 years ago...but that is before the industrial revolution that has changed the world...so I would say that today it is not adequate enough for the ever changing and growing world.

You can get a degree on the Internet...but can you get one at home without a computer?

Probably not one that anyone would consider valid and upholding the academic standard...in my opinion...home schooling worked in the 70's and 80's....but today...not so much!

You'll hear a lot of opinions both ways on this topic. I have known, and now know several home schooled teens and adults. They are all intelligent, knowledgeable, well adjusted, and socially adept people. So much for the stereotypes, huh?

I do however believe you need parents(both preferably) that are willing to put the time into all aspects of a childs life. Not just the academic side. Children need social interaction with other children, and other adults. If you love your kids, and want whats best for them, you won't have problems schooling them. And they will be balanced adults.

Originally posted by Neysa
I don't have much time this morning so I'll make this short.
I have been home schooling my daughter with an online school for 3 years. Before that she was in a brick and morter (BM) school.
It's not a perfect program, but it sure beats the hell out of the BM school. I am not qualified to teach advanced math and can not afford the equipment for a proper science education. This online school provides all of her textbooks, science lab equip. and even a computer if needed. FREE. That's right. I said free. She has a teacher we can call 24/7 with questions or for help with a specific subject.
By going through the accredited online school she must pass the state mandated tests to get a diploma and that way, if she decides to attend college, it wont be a problem getting in.
The curriculum is very flexible. She has to pass the required courses but we can augment the lessons any way we like to make it more interesting and enriching. The online school has field trips and monthly meetups so the kids can get to know each other and form relationships. Last year we had a school sponsered campout at Bastrop State Park, which was wonderful.
She can do school whenever she likes during the day as long as she gets the hours required by the state.
We can take the laptop and do school anywhere we can pick up a wi-fi connection.
They have an advanced learners program as well as help for learning disabled kids.

I don't have time for more but if you would like to U2U me I can discuss it with you.
We love homeschooling.
People who are worried about socialising are just buying into the propaganda put out by the public school system
that wants to indoctrinate their kids. If you want socialisation, join scouts or the YMCA or something.


~Neysa

Thank you for this informative reply. This is the kind of intellectual profundity I was looking for to ascertain whether HS is a good idea or not. Thank you again.

reply to post by perpetualmotion


You are very welcome
I wish I had had more time to formulate my reply to your op, but I have a house full for the holidays.
I am sure that homeschooling is not the answer for everyone, but our experience has been very positive. Hope I could help.
~Neysa

We homeschooled until 5th grade.

Socialization was not a problem .. no matter what the anti-homeschoolers say.

Our daughter was on a swim team that practiced 3-4 times a week.
She was in an art club that met once a week.
She played soccer spring and fall as well.
Not to mention the fact that she had tons of friends in the area she played with.
AND the homeschoolers got together for day trips.

She transitioned in 5ith grade.
Ended up skipping a grade.
She on the honor roll - got a scholarship to a great high school academy in town.

She's looking at being a Chemical Engineer and has started the college search process.
She was able to get a very solid start with homeschool.

Don't have a lot of time either but just want to add my .02 and say what was always said to me when I began my homeschooling journey 15 years ago...."if you care enough to ask you are probably equipped to do it." EVERY situation is unique so there is no one answer. To the person who suggested that today because of technology it probably isn't a good idea, I would have to disagree and I believe the opposite is in fact true. Technology affords the opportunity to learn virtually any interest.

Socializing is important and often with a little effort it happens naturally as long as you are involved with your child. Mine went everywhere with me (still does) and he is very well adjusted. Just off of the top of my head he got a first hand history lesson from a Normandy vet while at the laundramat, a one on one ice skating lesson once when we were the only two on the rink (because everyone else was at school), and the opportunity to tour the airport just because we struck up a conversation with the guy behind us at Wendy's - opportunities are limitless. We got involved in team sports....and don't underestimate the socializing that goes on through xbox, playstation, etc.....and no I am not suggesting it is a substitute for live social experiences.

Don't place too much emphasis on the "diploma"....in the end the HS diploms is just a piece of paper and you can actually make your own as a homeschooler. My son will start community college next year, won't need to even take the SAT, doesn't need the "diploma' either and will spend a LOT less money trying to figure out what he wants to do next. Then, he can simply matriculate into a regular university if he decides academia is the way to go for him.

Think out of the box and be open to just how much the whole tradittional school thing is often just brainwashing in theory and in practice.

In case you missed it, this is Partygirls thread.
Has anyone here grown up homeschooled? Here's my story; share yours.

It's an excellent thread from a different perspective.

I watched my next door neighbors homeschool, Right wing Christian indoctrination, and keep their 3 kids isolated from the outside world for 8 years and those kids, now young adults are some of the most screwed up people I have ever known. Junkies, drunks and headed for the jail house. I saw their sad lives coming 8 years ago but their parents still blame Satan and are in complete denial as to the damage they have done.

Originally posted by perpetualmotion
Hello ATS,

I am sure there are many people on here who have considerable experience in home-schooling. Do you think this is a good idea? What are the factors it depends on? Thanks!

Damn right it's a good idea! Our son is a Dwarf, he is 4 feet tall and will never get any taller. He was getting bullied at school, we went there on four occasions, and spoke with four people about this, it just continued. So, we enrolled him in
ECOT of Ohio.

ECOT is the first, largest and most popular e-school in Ohio, and since it opened in 2000, has always been a leader.
ECOT has graduated more students than any other e-school and continues to provide the most innovative curriculum and technology.
ECOT focuses all its attention on serving Ohio students and has done so for more than a decade.
ECOT hires only highly qualified teachers who, when working with caring parents, are the key components to ECOT's success and to the success of its students.
ECOT is fully accredited by the Commission on International Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA) and the North Central Association.

Source

We love ECOT. They provided our son with a complete computer system, printer/scanner, mike and earphones, and webcam. They pay for his Time Warner fast Ethernet connection. He is getting a real, quality education, far and above the local public schools offer. Highly recommended.

personally i think home school is good for kids that are struggling with school , have specail needs. and meny other seem to realy enjoy it . it is very flexible. and can be child oriantated rather than class. i have meny friends that do it and enjoy spending the time with there youge ones.. the isolation bit that people mention is very easy to overcome. the child can also stay in contact with old pals. also i found that my son could do mopre out and about which ment he wasnt as tired from struggling with dealing with to meny people around him that he didnt know . and one main person over looking all aspcts is better that lots that dont know the child as well. there are meny web links and things online now to make learning more fun. when people say science cant be done at home that is complete rubbish . i think more can be done. hope this helps. if you want to find more links then just look at some of the online groups . there is so meny.
good luck with making your decision.

It's Depend on kid's and parent understating. but i personally think at home kid's no learn proper. bsz they comfort at home and not proper constrate on learning.

Originally posted by eduWare
It's Depend on kid's and parent understating. but i personally think at home kid's no learn proper. bsz they comfort at home and not proper constrate on learning.

And being uncomfortable makes you concentrate better?

I doubt it...it would be just a way for parents to instill their crazy beliefs on their children. They may just raise future terrorist, future school killers or future idiots...

Maybe because homeschooling is so prevalent in America...that would explain the average american and stupidity...

Children need to be among others children of their age, there is soo much to gain from being in a social environment. They need to learn about how to cope with the situation....

homeschooling is pretty much the experiment with a calf that was born in a clean room and lived for few months and died when it came into the normal environment.

Originally posted by kerazeesicko
I doubt it...it would be just a way for parents to instill their crazy beliefs on their children.

Crazy beliefs ... like the belief that actually learning to read and do math so that you can get a job and support yourself and not expect a free ride on the taxpayer ... like the belief that you should be able to learn in a safe environment ... like the belief that sex education doesn't need to be taught to 1st graders ... like the belief that a student shouldn't be subjected to the governments version of 'truth' as opposed to reality, ... yep, those are crazy beliefs.

Maybe because homeschooling is so prevalent in America...that would explain the average american and stupidity...

The vast majority of children are not homeschooled. Perhaps if more were, then there wouldn't be as many problems like we get from the 'finished product' from the overcrowded/failing public schools ...