Homeschooling I would like pros and cons?

I am considering enrolling my children in a cyberschool or charterschool. Does anyone on here have experience with this or has anyone been homeschooled?

I would love any input to this post all would be appreciated.

Thanks

I found this prior thread about homeschooling.

Being a single mom and not independently wealthy, this was not an option for me and my daughter.

But she has done well in the public schools she attended.  I enrolled her in a spanish immersion (magnet) elementary school (I don't speak Spanish except what she's taught me, which is not much, but I can understand more than I can speak).  So she was fluent in Spanish by 4th grade.

Middle school was tough. It seemed like there weren't any good choices in the public schools - even the Spanish magnet - no longer immersion but just provided one Spanish lit class and one core class taught in Spanish - but it had the same kind of behavior and discipline issues that other middle schools have.  I personally think that middle school is where our education system breaks down.  Elementary schools do well.  Some high schools do well. But if you can find a middle school doing well - that is a real rarity (imo).

And now she's attending one of the best high schools in our state and doing great.  And she really loves marching band.  :)  I'm proud of her.

So, it is possible for your kids to get a good education in the public schools, but it does require more effort on your part. Not sure it would be this way if you just put your kid in the neighborhood schools and assumed all was well. Probably depends on your neighborhood.

But for people who can make the investment and do the task justice, I'd say you can accomplish any goal that you set for your kids education, so... more power to ya!

Haven't heard of the cyber schools, but I did take some web classes when I got my graduate degree so it wouldn't surprise me if distance education is the next wave. 

Good luck!

The main thing to keep in mind about the school experience for a child is that learning/acquiring knowledge is only a part of what they get out of it.  A big part of going to school is learning social skills, how to be a member of a larger community, how to get along with others, etc.  I sometimes worry that homeschooled children miss out on this aspect, and that can affect them in later life.

That being said, if you have the ability to send them to school with other kids, be it a charter or private or religious school, that would be preferable to keeping them at home.  Or, if homeschooling is what you feel is the best option, then just  make sure they have plenty of opportunities to interact with other kids their age.  Good luck!

I really hate it when people tell me how socially deprived homeschooled kids are -- it's just not the case at all - sure there may be some radical parents who shelter their kids so much but all the families I dealt with will go out of their way to be sure the kids had lots of social interactions-- and the best thing was it wasn't just with kids their own age like public schools.  I think learning to be part of a community means learning to interact with kids of all ages and adults. 

when I homeschooled my kids they were each other's best friends and they shared many friends and had their own too -- but they didn't think it strange to want to do things together and with groups of kids from toddlers to teenagers.  Then when we moved and they had to go to a public school -- even though it was a multi age classroom they learned from the other kids that it wasn't acceptable to interact with the kids not in their grade.  

Both my kids dropped out of highschool at our request and got their GEDs in about 2 months -- the highschool is nothing but a joke -- unless you are a jock or a brainiac the faculty ignores the average student and the drugs and violence and such are present no matter what the school says and I live in a small town.

If you have the time commitment it takes to homeschool your kids then please do!!!!  Find the local support group in your area and get involved.  I was a leader of a group and we did field trips and had a retired teacher do physical fitness classes so the kids could get that presidential badge thing and the city even had sport teams that competed with small schools -- usually the catholic or charter schools in town but it was just lilke "real" school teams.  There are just so many opportunities out there and its a very rewarding experience for the whole family.

 

The social aspect is the one im most worried about. They come home stating things that one might only hear in a bar full of sailors. I dont know how me keeping them away from this is going to hinder them socially later in life. In fact this might help them to become much better citizens. I have already made up my mind I am quitting my full-time job and starting one of the programs ASAP. My husband will have to fill all the financial needs but in mine and his eyes we see this a must have right now.

Thank you for the comments.

I'm using this book to help my daughter get more out of her education, even while she is attending high school.

The same way that you will find good schools and bad schools throughout the country, I'm sure you will also find good homeschools and bad homeschools.

In NC, students who are homeschooled have to take the same end of year tests that other students take. Those tests are used to issue a diploma and when/if the student applies to colleges.  Good idea to check on what your state's rules are... I'm sure you already thought of that, but just to state the obvious for those reading and still considering the option.

Ultimately, wherever you are, you only get out of education what you put into it.  Put in a lot of effort and you'll get a lot of knowledge out of it. Even more than knowledge, I want my child to have the ability to think for herself and make good decisions for her life.

I'm pretty sure this is possible even though she attends public school.

oh believe me, it will hinder them socially later in life. kids are going to be exposed to swear words, dirty talk, drugs, alcohol etc in their lives no matter what. if the reason you are homeschooling is to keep them away from those things, it just isn't going to work, plain and simple.

 in fact the kids i knew who got to college after having been homeschool and sheltered as kids were the ones who went the craziest when they finally had freedom. that's been my experience at least.

Jules

My kids are older I think they have had enough exposure to the newest swear word of the week for many years now. Its not just the swearing that bothers me there are so many different levels. Violence being a number 1 factor. I am concerned for their general safety. They dont have an easy time at school or a pleasant one. I dont have to answer to you about this all I have to answer to is my family and my kids future. You are entitled to your opinion but it will do nothing to sway my decision and thank you for the response.

Have a wonderful day

I was homeschooled from 4th grade until I graduated. There are pros and cons obviously. And, I was very sheltered. But, I finally left for college, and began to come out of my shell. And now, at 22..... I don't see a whole big difference in social skills between me and my friends. The only thing I have noticed, is I have a wider age range of friends then most (like the people I work with are friends, and everybody is the same age.) But I don't know if that has to do with school or personality.

I know how you are feeling chix. My son is being bullied all the time we have tried everything known to man to help him through this stuff. We found a really nasty raunchy letter on our comp that was wrote up by him and his so called friends. Peer pressure is getting to him to be a certain way and well he decided to follow the crowd just so he could somehow be cool in their minds. We have had a HUGE talk with him about this and our daughter. We have talked with the school constantly and we have told our kids to defend themselves if need be in these situations.

Its not like when we were growing up its FAR worse the things kids are going through even at such a young age way before junior high and middle school it starts out in kgarden now. How sad is that.

Home schooling I know very little about but I have known some parents that did this with their children and they seem to be well adjusted kids with very good grades and excelling in all subjects I think because the pressure is off of them from school and they dont have all that worry and its now placed on what they are actually supposed to be doing at school........Learning!

ang, this is one of the reasons I am removing my children from this environment. The story you tell of your son is classic. This has been happening with children since school has been in session. If your children are not part of the Elite club then they are fair game for being picked on dramatically. It is sad but I plan to do something about it now and take over my childs learning, so that they can actually concentrate on their work.

If you want some links to cyberschooling or charterschooling angie let me know I would be happy to forward them to you. I am not being pushy I just see the many signs of a distressed and worried mom like me.

Public school didn't mess me up and I attended it for 12 years (followed by college)

I was not "part of the elite club" but I got along with those kids well enough.  I was also not a jock though I was into a couple of sports.  I was not a drama kid even though I was in several shows and have many friends who were...Maybe it's different where your kids were, but don't make it sound like all public school kids have to be in a click to survive.  And don't make it sound like public school teaches you to only associate with certain groups of people.  It can only teach you that if you let it.  I have friends of all ages, with all different kinds of interests (including some who were homeschooled).

There were some violent outbursts in my school, I learned to stay away from situations where they would be likely.  I would never say that my school experience was the best thing that ever happened to me but dangit, I learned how to deal with being in situations I didn't like.  I didn't have any real enemies either but I learned how to deal with people who didn't particularly like me.

Of course it is completely your choice whether or not to take this step.  If you think it's right and the best thing for your family, then you absolutely should have them homeschooled.  Sometimes that is the best solution and I know people that it worked out really well for.  Just make sure you're not building up elitest perceptions about "public school kids" in their minds while you do it...

Good luck!

i've been homeschooled all my life. this year i'm doing part-time at a college. i've had absolutely no problem fitting in. people think homeschooled kids  have problems later in life because they can't deal with people or whatever, but its not true.

admittedly alot of homeschooled kids are really weird/conservative.. i definitely stay away from them.  and i'm probably better off than most because i've been in ballet for 14 years so i have had social contact or whatever

Sammi, not to sound mean but unless you are actually going to school with kids today and in their age group or you are a parent to a child then you really don't have a clue what is actually going on in schools today.

 Im not saying all public schools are bad and a bad experiece but its not just me thinking of homeschooling, ,almost half the people I know with school age children are taking them out of the public school system around here just for the reasons I have mentioned.

You can say all that you want that kids dont put themselves into groups but I remember school myself and we all had little groups.

 Im not saying this is you but this has been my experience.You seem to be getting so upset that I am lumping children into groups let me tell you something im not. The kids are doing it themselves and parents are the ones that have to try and explain to kids that unfortunatly not everyone is going to like you but you must try and get along.

This doesnt always work in my case and it hasnt. You cant always seperate yourself from violence especially if its directed at you for whatever the case may be do you see what im saying? You stayed out of it because it didnt involve you but what if it does? I am kind of tired of defending myself today on here so I will remove myself from this thread a little while and get myself composed.

thanks for the comments

As far as I can tell chix, it seems that you had your mind made up before you even started this thread.

I'm not gonna say that homeschooling is good or bad because I've never been homeschooled. I believe there a pros and cons to both public and homeschooling.

...I guess I need to backtrack for a minute:)

Are your kids currently in public school and you're contemplating taking them out?

Or are you for sure taking them out and need suggestions/opinions on homeschooling or a charter school?

missy, my kids are currently enrolled in public school system. They have been for many yrs. Things have been bad and I wanted them to be able to deal with them on their own and learn how to get out of bad situations. It has not worked for them and its only progressing from bad to worse. I fear for their future in public school and I fear for their innocence being totally lost.

This just didnt happen overnight mind you this was done over years and years of time. I am contemplating taking them out and doing this on my own. I guess im not contemplating anymore I am 'doing' it. I was looking for pros and cons from people who have actually been in this situation and or a product of homeschooling.

I didnt make this thread for homeschooling basher time. I have been defending myself on here because it seems like im being attacked for thinking one way or another which I guess is expected of a forum setting.

Chix - Sorry, first of all, I'm not upset.  I'm sorry if my response upset you.  It wasn't meant to.  I was only trying to point out that there was another side to this.  If you recall in your original post you asked for both sides of the story.  If that's not what you want, then you should probably amend the post.

I never said kids don't put themselves into groups, of course they do.  I had kids that I was friends with and kids that I wasn't just like everybody else.  I did however, manage to get along with almost everybody regardless of the group they were in.  My parents taught me that from a young age.  I know that it doesn't work for everyone and maybe that's not the norm.  I am also just speaking from experience.

Just so you know, I have friends who have kids in the current public school system.  I have many cousins I am fairly close to who range in age from 5 - 15 who are all in the public school system and I have several friends who have younger siblings that are still in the public school system.  I've only been out of the system for about 7 years myself as I'm only 25.  Today's public schools are not a completely foreign subject to me.  I wasn't trying to be mean but you asked for opinions from both sides.

As far as parents having to explain to kids that unfortunately not everyone is going to like you, don't you think somebody should explain this to them at some point?  I mean, it sucks, yeah.  I try to get along with as many people as I can but some people just don't like you.  Period.  It works that way in the real world...

I'm sorry it didn't work in your case.  As I said, if you feel it's best for your family then you should homeschool your kids.  There's nothing wrong with homeschooling for some people (some people don't do well with that either though)

I'm really sorry I upset you.  That was honestly not my intention.  You asked for any input and pros and cons...I thought you meant you wanted both sides and I didn't think that public schools were getting a fair break in the thread based on some other people's comments.  I'm pretty sure that my experience in public schools played a pretty big part in making me who I am today...I think homeschooled people can say the same thing.  All I meant is that neither one is all good or all bad.  There are pros and cons to both.

As I said before, good luck!  I hope it works out well for you and yours whichever way you decide to go.

Ugh.  I hated homeschool, but I hated public school and charter school as well.

I was a troublesome one in high school.  I was the shy, quiet, gothy type when goth wasn't even a trend (there were two when I was in high school, myself and my sister.  Now everyone and their mother are some form of goth), so I was a target for harassment.  I had an incident where my dad attempted suicide, my entire school found out about it, and made my life hell.  I spent the remainder of the school year in the guindace counselours office, doing my studies on my own.

The next year I said enough, because the harassment over that incident didn't stop, but my school refused to transfer me out because my grades kept their overall state average up.  The only way they'd approve the transfer was if I were to go to an all black school and bring their average up, and that wasn't an option for me.

So I did what was necessary to get out of school (pushed the assistant principal into a trophy case, caused a few fights, damaged property, let my grades drop, and overdosed in history to prove the school was causing me physical harm) and they approved my transfer to a charter school.  Well, I earned half of my high school credits doing the charter school (this one was an internet scool) for a week, and got sick of being in the class room day in and day out when I could do the schooling from home.  So I bought the CD, took the class home, and logged on to do my studies.

It didn't last long as I was having issues at home, and I stopped logging into my school.  They also stopped passing my classes so I was in education-limbo; finished my part and was awaiting judgement.  I called, I went in, I emailed, but they never approved my classes so I gave up.

I then enrolled into a different charter school that was work-based.  You got credits for doing jobs.  The problem with that school was I tested out of it entirely, but I still had to do the work credits.  Here's the flaw... I WAS TOO YOUNG.  All of the jobs on their approved list were for 18 and over, and I was 16. 

Finally I gave up and got my GED.

My opinion as a student of public, advanced, charter, and online schools, I'd really recommend the internet school so long as they can keep up with the work and have someone to ensure they're doing their classes.  They may suffer socially, but who's to say they're not going to live through hell in public and advanced classes?  As for charter, check into it.  Seriously.  Some of them are so bogus and not right for your kids, it's not even funny.

P.S.  All of my schools?  Free.  Public school, obviously, advanced classes provided by my public school (hello free college courses!), charter school and the online school were all free because they were considered to be my district's public schools, even though they were charter.

I thought you might like a point of view from a former homeschooled kid.  I was homeschooled through 5th grade and then I was in religous schools from 6th-8th and I went to the Charter School of Wilmington for highschool.

When I was homeschooled I loved it. I got to spend all day at home and I didn't have any set dates for work to be done. The problems started when I advanced in math beyond what my mom could teach me. By the time I was 9 or 10 I had to figure out all my math for myself. I also got behind in English because my mom was dyslexic and wasn't that good at English either. My mom finally started us in school because we moved in with my grandparents to take care of them and my mom didn't think that 5 kids under 12 and two 75 year olds would mix very well 24 hours a day.

Then, my HORRIBLE experience with religous schools started. I had all kinds of trouble with being teased and almost tortured in these schools because I looked 2-3 years older then I was because I was really tall but acted 2-3 years younger then a was because the only kids I had contact with on a daily basis were my younger siblings (I'm the oldest of the 5). The discipline at these schools was lax and highly favored certian groups. I don't mean to sound racist, but the black students would get away with murder because they made up 1/3 of the school and if the school tried to punish or expell one kid all the black families would threaten to leave the school. Another beef I have with religous schools is that I was 2 years ahead of the rest of the class in math and they didn't have any other options for math class because the school was so small.  I would not recommend these schools to anyone.

I then started going to CSW in Wilmington, Delaware.  These years were some of the best of my life. The classes were varied, I could pick and choose which classes I wanted to take and the discipline was good.  This school also offered almost all the AP courses that were available and it even offered courses taught by actual University of Delaware professors for real college credits. If there are any schools like this in your area I would recommend them.

P.S. I am now in my senior year of College with a major in computer science and a minor in business administration.