Should homeschooling be legal?

[Beet]

Our society is built on the education of its citizens. This is the very foundation of our social capital. With homeschooling, educational standards are completely unenforceable. A once a year test cannot really enforce any educational standards, its no better than any other test. With no standards, this will eventually lead to the fragmentation of society and further deterioration of American social capital and society. This will happen at a very basic level. When that day comes we Americans will be more divided than we ever are now, at a time when we think we are already heavily divided. That will be very bad for America. Remember that there are two great oceans around this country, nobody, not even terrorists can destroy America in the end. We can only destroy ourselves. It begins with education.

[Keystone Phil]

Yes

[ijohn57s]

Absolutely. I was homeschooled and I've done just fine academically. I scored a 31 on my ACT and have a GPA of about 3.8 after 2 years of college. It works.

[Beet]

Absolutely. I was homeschooled and I've done just fine academically. I scored a 31 on my ACT and have a GPA of about 3.8 after 2 years of college. It works.

Actually, grade school is about more than just memorizing facts and preparing for a college. If that is all grade school has done for anyone, it has failed that child. Grade school should be about learning to join society and our common nation. Thus the pledge of allegiance, which at least everyone stands for, together.

[Nation]

I'm more favorable towards abolishing school period. Or make it like the far east, and have students go 6 or 7 days a week, with no recess, and huge amounts of homework. That's really the best option.

[Lunar]

What?

OF COURSE, but if a state wants to deny it then go ahead (I voted states).

Maybe if fix our public schools we can  begin to criticize home schooling, but until we do I don't see how we can complain about a poor education in home schools.  Your link between homeschooling and the end of our society is extremely weak, and on top of that, assumes that everyone will suddenly start home schooling when in reality it is a fraction of the population (which is decreasing as far as I can tell).

[Bandit3 the Worker]

Of course homeschooling should be legal.

The education system in Kentucky is so horribly bad that I wouldn't choose anything else but homeschooling.

[TheWildCard]

ijohn my friend that is so cool! I know a bunch of people who have been homeschooled and they not only score high on tests and do well in college but they do just fine in society and they tend to be more mature as a whole.

Oh and for the record it sure as hell should be legal... With all the school violence and the poor education kids get it should always be an option.

[MarkDel]

Our society is built on the education of its citizens. This is the very foundation of our social capital. With homeschooling, educational standards are completely unenforceable. A once a year test cannot really enforce any educational standards, its no better than any other test. With no standards, this will eventually lead to the fragmentation of society and further deterioration of American social capital and society. This will happen at a very basic level. When that day comes we Americans will be more divided than we ever are now, at a time when we think we are already heavily divided. That will be very bad for America. Remember that there are two great oceans around this country, nobody, not even terrorists can destroy America in the end. We can only destroy ourselves. It begins with education.

Beet,

Yes, home schooling should be legal. In fact, I am considering for my own children. BUT...

That said, I wish home schooling was not necessary. I agree with you that there is more to school than just learning, and as a result, ALL American youngsters should experience the sense of community and shared values that they SHOULD see in a school experience.'

Unfortunately, the public school system has become a highly politicized, indoctrination center of political correctness and negativity towards the American experience. So when confronted with the potential brainwashing and sub-standard education of my children, I face the only options of either private school or home schooling. If we can ever move the public school system back to pre-1970's standards, then this nation may again be ONE nation as opposed to what have now.

[opebo]

Yes, home schooling is fine, and the State should not interfere.  Further, all schooling should be private.. close the public schools!

[English]

Yes. I don't have a problem with home schooling so long as the parents or guardians are educated enough themselves. Better to be educated at home by intelligent parents than at a dreadful failing school with bullying or drugs problems.

[dazzleman]

Our society is built on the education of its citizens. This is the very foundation of our social capital. With homeschooling, educational standards are completely unenforceable. A once a year test cannot really enforce any educational standards, its no better than any other test. With no standards, this will eventually lead to the fragmentation of society and further deterioration of American social capital and society. This will happen at a very basic level. When that day comes we Americans will be more divided than we ever are now, at a time when we think we are already heavily divided. That will be very bad for America. Remember that there are two great oceans around this country, nobody, not even terrorists can destroy America in the end. We can only destroy ourselves. It begins with education.

Beet,

Yes, home schooling should be legal. In fact, I am considering for my own children. BUT...

That said, I wish home schooling was not necessary. I agree with you that there is more to school than just learning, and as a result, ALL American youngsters should experience the sense of community and shared values that they SHOULD see in a school experience.'

Unfortunately, the public school system has become a highly politicized, indoctrination center of political correctness and negativity towards the American experience. So when confronted with the potential brainwashing and sub-standard education of my children, I face the only options of either private school or home schooling. If we can ever move the public school system back to pre-1970's standards, then this nation may again be ONE nation as opposed to what have now.

MarkDel, I agree with most of what you said.

I'm ambivalent about home schooling.  I think a good public school system, or a good private school if affordable and available, is preferable to home schooling.

However, in some places the public school options are so bad, and private schools may be beyond a family's budget.  In cases like this, home schooling may be better than the other alternatives.

I think the whole idea that schools hold society together is somewhat overblown, especially since we have allowed education to become another victim of the "rights" mentality.  In a way, private schools are much more reflective of the real world than public schools.  Like most employers, private schools have certain standards of behavior and performance to get in and remain there, while public schools are willing to allow the "rights" of violent and disruptive students to destroy educational opportunities for all the others.  Any private company that had these priorities would be out of business (unless it's the government, of course).

That is not to say that I don't think education is highly important.  I think that it is, and ideally public schools should fulfill the role of teaching kids to be contributing members of society and give them a sense of community.  But many of our current public schools are really not doing this, largely because of the overly liberal philosophy that has taken hold in the sphere of educaton.  I think MarkDel is exactly right in saying that we have to return education overall to pre-1970s standards.

A big problem today is the behavior of parents.  When I was in school, if I got into trouble and they made me stay for an after-school detention/work detail (which happened increasingly often as I moved through high school), I lied to my parents about where I was, because I knew they would punish me further if they found out.  Too often today, kids go home and complain to their parents about the punishments they get at school, and the parents side with the kids.  This is a problem across economic lines, and has the effect of undermining the school's ability to enforce discipline, and ultimately deliver a good education, which is impossible without discipline.

I consider home schooling less than ideal, and personally I would put a bullet through my head if I had to do it.  The only person I actually know who wants to do it is a total nutcase.  But I still think it should be legal.

[migrendel]

I voted yes.

As much as I disagree with some of the motives for home schooling, and as strongly as I feel that children need that kind of socialization, I believe that kind of schooling decision is part of familial privacy, and a choice for families to make, not the government.

[Nym90]

Yes, it should be legal, but there should be no loss of funding whatsoever for public schools if parents choose to homeschool their children instead. Public school funding should be based on the number of children living within the district boundaries.

[7,052,770]

From what I've seen, homeschooled students don't fit in socially as well as students who've been to school all their life.  But that's just around here where the public schools are top-notch.  Plus, especially at the high school level, a teacher who specializes in a subject and has tuaght it for years is going to do a better job of teaching it.  So homeschooling is very dumb.  But if that's what a parent wants, then whatever.

[ijohn57s]

Absolutely. I was homeschooled and I've done just fine academically. I scored a 31 on my ACT and have a GPA of about 3.8 after 2 years of college. It works.

Actually, grade school is about more than just memorizing facts and preparing for a college. If that is all grade school has done for anyone, it has failed that child. Grade school should be about learning to join society and our common nation. Thus the pledge of allegiance, which at least everyone stands for, together.

There was more than just memorizing facts involved in that. I also learned how to use reasoning skills and common sense. As for learning how to join society, I've never had a problem with that either. We were members of a homeschooling group and we did activities together. I didn't just sit at home all day. When my mom had to go somewhere, my sister and I had to go with her. We were around people and interacted just fine. In fact, I'm known as a very outgoing and social person.

[WalterMitty]

in most cases, home schooling is foolish.  

most parents who home school are religious zealots who fear little johnny might hear a curse word at school, or, god forbid, learn about evolution

[ragnar]

I think the whole idea that schools hold society together is somewhat overblown, especially since we have allowed education to become another victim of the "rights" mentality.  In a way, private schools are much more reflective of the real world than public schools.  Like most employers, private schools have certain standards of behavior and performance to get in and remain there, while public schools are willing to allow the "rights" of violent and disruptive students to destroy educational opportunities for all the others.  Any private company that had these priorities would be out of business (unless it's the government, of course).

Do you believe that childeren with psychological problems shound´t be allowed in public schools

[Beefalow and the Consumer]

Our society is built on the education of its citizens. This is the very foundation of our social capital. With homeschooling, educational standards are completely unenforceable. A once a year test cannot really enforce any educational standards, its no better than any other test. With no standards, this will eventually lead to the fragmentation of society and further deterioration of American social capital and society. This will happen at a very basic level. When that day comes we Americans will be more divided than we ever are now, at a time when we think we are already heavily divided. That will be very bad for America. Remember that there are two great oceans around this country, nobody, not even terrorists can destroy America in the end. We can only destroy ourselves. It begins with education.

Beet, I am very disappointed in you.  While I agree wholeheartedly in the importance of public education, and think that quality public schools are foundational to the future of our society, no Centrist should support such a blatantly authoritarian policy as forced public schooling.

I believe in the basic autonomy of the family, and that parents should be free to choose to educate their children as they see fit.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

in most cases, home schooling is foolish.  

most parents who home school are religious zealots who fear little johnny might hear a curse word at school, or, god forbid, learn about evolution

for once I actually agree with you. homeschooling sucks.

[Brambila]

I go to a charter school where it's half-homeschooling. I was homeschooled fully in middle school, and educated in public school before that.

I think homeschooling can be good, but the problem is that many parents in my area make wrong decisions about deciding between homeschool and public/private school. Firstly, many parents do not socialize their kids at all. I know a few families where their children rarely socialize, and these kids end up becoming made fun of by their peers. On the other hand, many homeschoolers are perfectly fine and socialize often, probably more often than public schoolers since homeschoolers usually only have a few hours of school in the morning and hang out in the afternoon. During the school year, for instance, I take a class or two in the morning at a school or college, then I do homeschool up till around 12. I then go out with my other homeschooled friends to lunch, and hang out at eachother's house until our other friends are done with school in the afternoon (3-6 depending on sports).

Parents should be the primary educators of their children whether in public, private, or home schooling, and must choose appropriately with the child's personality. If the child is shy and unsocial at the age of five, I would reccomend regular school. If he's outgoing and already knows how to work with others, I would take advantage of homeschooling.

[angus]

I voted YES.  But this should not be construed as support for school "choice."  Whether you choose to take advantage of our excellent public schools is up to the parent, but either way, you'll pay taxes to ensure that the schools remain sufficiently funded to educate those who want education.

On a sidenote, Harry pointed out that while homeschooled children may receive better education than publicly schooled children, at least in the nations worst school districts (e.g., Jackson maybe?), they turn out either geeky or violent or otherwise unable to function socially.  One latent function of the school is to teach you how to score with the chicks, get drugs, guns, etc.  If you're keeping your kids out of the public schools, you're depriving them of all the important lessons of subculture that every child deserves.  

wink.

[Bogart]

Yes. As long as the parent(s) are taking the obligation seriously. I've known a couple of people who have been home schooled as well and they went on to productive lives. The impact of intensive one-on-one with a child cannot be overestimated.

I do, however, think that the parents must keep in mind the social aspects of schooling and make sure to provide their children with social outlets that most kids normally get through traditional schools.

[angus]

I just noticed you signature.  That really is an uncanny resemblance.

[W in 2004]

Our society is built on the education of its citizens. This is the very foundation of our social capital. With homeschooling, educational standards are completely unenforceable. A once a year test cannot really enforce any educational standards, its no better than any other test. With no standards, this will eventually lead to the fragmentation of society and further deterioration of American social capital and society. This will happen at a very basic level. When that day comes we Americans will be more divided than we ever are now, at a time when we think we are already heavily divided. That will be very bad for America. Remember that there are two great oceans around this country, nobody, not even terrorists can destroy America in the end. We can only destroy ourselves. It begins with education.

I have a question for you regarding the “further deterioration of American social capital and society.”  Were Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold homeschooled?  Homeschoolers and Private schoolers repeatedly show their academic superiority to their publicly schooled counterparts.  I think this is partially the reason that some liberals oppose homeschooling and private schooling.  They do not want to let the secret get out that private organizations can do a better job than the government.  Homeschooling and private school are not feasible for everyone.  Homeschooling and private schooling provide competition to public schools.  Outlawing Homeschooling or private schooling would be a fatal mistake because it would leave public schools with no competition and less of a reason to improve.  I strongly support the right to homeschool or private school, but I am against vouchers.  I can’t believe bandit73 is for anything other than socialist children indoctrination camps where the children are taken away from their parents at age 5 and taught by Marxist teaching masters.