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Rodney · 02-11-2005, 06:41 PM

I don't have kids, but I work in education. Homeschooling and other alternative education options are popular in our county, including charter schools as well as private schools, and the county office of education has a homeschooling office that helps parents stay on course and plans regular weekly activities that kids and their parents can go to, including field trips. So they can make friends and socialize.

That said, the home-schooled kids I know about (with the exception of one who had emotional and developmental problems) all did regular high school, whether public or private, for purposes of socialization and getting used to education institutions more similar to college.

Even with the help, it's a lot of work. One parent pretty much has to stay home. So homeschooling is rarely an option for people who're living hand to mouth, or who both have to work.

Public schools are in trouble these days, no more so than in California where I live. But there are fine schools, even with all the stumbling blocks thrown in the way, and the key is parental participation. I've seen some really fine elementary schools which do great work despite low budgets because they've fostered a corps of parental and community volunteers who tutor kids, teach small groups, help set up activities, and so on. If your state supports charter schools, I would also suggest this as an option for people who can't home-school. Some charter schools give a brilliant education. We have a college prep 7-12 charter school here than has 300 kids already and more beating down the door to get in. It's a private-school education on a public school budget. Charter schools _do_ require parental involvement -- many ask a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer work a year -- and because teachers need not be certified, many parents with specialized knowledge present lessons (in conjunction with the regular teachers). You have to shop around, because charter schools are pretty much a free-market proposition -- some are bad, some are good, some are thriving, some are dying -- but if you can find the right one and start investigating how to get your kid into it, it's a great way to go.

02-11-2005, 06:41 PM	#22 (permalink)
Rodney Observant Ruminant Location: Rich Wannabe Hippie Town	I don't have kids, but I work in education. Homeschooling and other alternative education options are popular in our county, including charter schools as well as private schools, and the county office of education has a homeschooling office that helps parents stay on course and plans regular weekly activities that kids and their parents can go to, including field trips. So they can make friends and socialize. That said, the home-schooled kids I know about (with the exception of one who had emotional and developmental problems) all did regular high school, whether public or private, for purposes of socialization and getting used to education institutions more similar to college. Even with the help, it's a lot of work. One parent pretty much has to stay home. So homeschooling is rarely an option for people who're living hand to mouth, or who both have to work. Public schools are in trouble these days, no more so than in California where I live. But there are fine schools, even with all the stumbling blocks thrown in the way, and the key is parental participation. I've seen some really fine elementary schools which do great work despite low budgets because they've fostered a corps of parental and community volunteers who tutor kids, teach small groups, help set up activities, and so on. If your state supports charter schools, I would also suggest this as an option for people who can't home-school. Some charter schools give a brilliant education. We have a college prep 7-12 charter school here than has 300 kids already and more beating down the door to get in. It's a private-school education on a public school budget. Charter schools _do_ require parental involvement -- many ask a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer work a year -- and because teachers need not be certified, many parents with specialized knowledge present lessons (in conjunction with the regular teachers). You have to shop around, because charter schools are pretty much a free-market proposition -- some are bad, some are good, some are thriving, some are dying -- but if you can find the right one and start investigating how to get your kid into it, it's a great way to go.