Speak Out!
The Growth of Home Schooling
Sun, 03/01/2009 - 21:23 | EducationA USA Today article addresses the issue of the increase in the home-schooling in the U.S.:
The number of home-schooled kids hit 1.5 million in 2007, up 74% from when the Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics started keeping track in 1999, and up 36% since 2003. The percentage of the school-age population that was home-schooled increased from 2.2% in 2003 to 2.9% in 2007. "There's no reason to believe it would not keep going up," says Gail Mulligan, a statistician at the center.
What do you think are the biggest motivations for parents to teach their children at home?
THE COVENANT In Action
Comments
Home & Virtual Schooling
As a teacher in the public school system I can attest to the fact that more and more parents are opting to teach their kids at home. There are several reasons for this. One, the quality of education has taken a downward spiral over the past several years, especially since the implementation of No Child Left Behind. Two, kids are not learning what they need to learn in order to get into college. Three, safety has become an issue in the school setting. Gangs are growing more prevalent, and discipline in the public schools is a joke. Four, kids are being tested to death, and the tests don't reall mean anything.
These are just a few of the reasons why many parents are opting to home school their children. Another phenomenom in education that is growing rapidly is that of virtual schooling.
I began teaching part time this year for Missouri Virtual School, which is an online school program for grades K-12. Many of the students in the program have either been home schooled in the past, or they came from public schools. There are virtual schools in several states now and it really is a good alternative to the traditional brick and mortar schools. Students are able to take their core couses, as well as elective courses online. I started teaching in this program last August, and I must tell you it has been a pleasant surprise. The students seem to enjoy it more and their work ethic is a lot better than the kids that I teach in the school. They each can work at their own pace, and I can pretty much work with each student one on one until they get it, instead of having to move everyone along at the same time. The best part about it, is that I don't have to spend half of my time dealing with behavior issues.
It is believed that within the next five years, half of the kids in America will be attending school online. I believe this is the perfect program for kids who get suspended from school repeatedly or who for whatever reason, are unable to function in the regular school environment.
Education:What would be the safest place for our children?
I wrote an article yesterday in response to homeschooling and virtual schooling. Sunday is designated as grandma day need I say more. My little granddaughter got on the computer. Cyberspace article here I come.
In this article I talked about an educational sytem that didn't want to be educated. I made reference to a teacher that said to me,"why can't you be like the other p.t.a. moms." What did that mean? I could bring my milk , cookies,enjoy the recitals,plays,and keep a lid on it when it comes to talking about educating my child. Now who are the true educators of our children? Who is really responsible for our children and their education? Where does this all start from.
When I asked for compensation,accomendations,modifications,and a strategic plan(CAMS)for my sons program,it was just too much. This was the not the traditionl way of learning. Their one size fit all program had no place for a child that was auditory/verbal and had been place under the umbrella,NLD(nonverbal learning disability). Who did I think I was with my neurpsychological,pyschological,eduational,occupational therapy,and a CAT Scan to the brain assessments,to come into their world and tell them what to do. Well,I quess I wasn't the flavor of the month. We all know how that works.
If you want to learn about (NLD)I wrote some articles under "Never Again",that gives awareness to this disabilty. The articles "A Child Left Behind----No Good Deeds Goes Unpunished" is under the educational section. This will also enlighten you on why many parents are now homeschooling their children. How can our children ever catch up with their education with all the excessive expulsion and suspensions they receive. They are unable to be disable in a zero tolerance zone.
Recently I had a friend pass away with a long battle of breast cancer. She also had a son with a disability. Her whole concern was how would people receive him and would they understand. This is a great concern for all parents with children that are learning disable and for those children who are non-disable with behaviors.
That evening when I arrived at the funeral home to view her body I notice a lot of young adults there. I began to go through the differnt doors and view other bodies of several young people. This was not recess,gym,or band,but a permanent time-out. The saying "No Child Left Behind", and "A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste", needs to be renewed. Under the new administration the saying should go something like this,"Waste Not Our Childs Life And Leave No Mind Behind".
From the Concern Parent
LBG
Home-schooling
I, too, am considering joining the ranks of home-schooling my child. Quite recently she's been asking for it, partly because of the teaching methods. I think it's an excellent alternative for parents who are displeased with the overall conditions at school.
Virtual Schooling
I don't know what state you live in, but check with your department of elementary and secondary education and see if there is a virtual school program in your state. Many parents who have home schooled their children have gone to this. The students go to school online, and take the same courses that they would take in the regular school building, but are able to get more personalized teaching and can pretty much work at their own pace. It really is a good program.